Quote: Nora Ferrell

Maybe some of the experienced people will post for you about tethering. I know Connie takes in older and senior dogs and I think she tethers.

Oh yes. I learn him/her, s/he learns me, we bond, and many mistakes are avoided (and so tension and anxiety are avoided, too).

I can't think why it would ever be inappropriately too late.....

I have not kept up with the thread, but I saw my name.

 Quote: Rosalinda van den Ham

I bought the dog when he was 2 yrs old, so I do not know if the tethering will still work, but it makes perfect sense to me so I will use this method for my next dog. This time I am looking for a laid back, loyal,large (female)breed that does not care so much for fetching.
I wonder still if this retrieving obsession could be diminished... I wish Ceasar Milan was here, so I could hire him.

Rosalinda,

It may be the language thing; but it sounds like you have given up on this boy and are not very connected to him. I am reading disappointment and no matter how many videos and hours you practice working with him, no bond can grow through that attitude.

The idea of adding another dog to your home is not going to fix the issues with him so I would hold off on that until you have this situation straightened out first. None of this is meant to be judgemental so please don't take it that way.

Now, I am no Cesar Milan but a few things in your post brought some questions to mind. Generally when a dog has an obsession it is to fill an area that is lacking......maybe leadership? I say this because when you remained laying on the ground he left you to go to your husband with a carton he wanted thrown. Why is he allowed to initiate the game? I'm curious did your husband throw it for him? Also, he got up and walked away again his decision...I wouldn't call that lack of loyalty as much as a lack of respect.

What happens when you don't play retrieve? I think I would try to discourage the obsession by not playing into it. There is no reason he has to play fetch other than he wants too but that should be your choice not his. Do you see where I am going with this?????

Are you familiar with NILIF? Nothing in life is free which basically translates to your dog having to work for every priviledge he receives from opening a door so he can go out to petting him, paying attention to him and feeding him. Tethering is a great idea; you can keep an eye on him and not let him make decisions and if you can't watch him I would crate him. My recommendations; go back to the basics. Do you have the Pack Structure video? Maybe an early Mother's Day gift? I hope you are able to resolve this and start to enjoy the dog that you have; you make an awesome couple in your signature photo.

You can tether your dog. Mine is 11 yo and I went back to tethering and controlling his every movement a few months ago, and truly, it helped him focus on me instead of everywhere but me.

I understand the frustration of having a dog who seemingly only wants you when he wants you, but this way, you control the interaction. Tethered, he has to interact with you. He has no choice. He learns your odor, body language, voice, and subtle gestures in a way he could never learn otherwise. You learn his moods, signals, likes and dislikes, behavior, and get to initiate at your discretion play, feeding, grooming, and the greatest gift to a dog, down time and relaxation next to master.

You also get to put him up if he becomes a complete butt.

Well, we all have tried ignoring the dog when he wants to play fetch constantly. It doesn't work that way. It doesn't discourage him. What else can we do?

But he does come when called. I did not call him that time though.

I do have a lot of dvd's already (and training material). But I have read Ed's article about Pack structure. It seems a very interesting dvd indeed.

And thanks for the compliment .

How many hours the dog would have to be tethered to me (in a day)? Because I will have to do this outside (while reading a book), my husband does not allow dogs inside
I am curious to find out if this will work with my dog.

Rosalinda, does your dog have free access to balls when you are not playing with him? (do you leave one in his crate/kennel, or laying on the lawn?)

If so, that is one thing you could change; he should only have access to a ball when you initiate play with him. Then the ball should be put away. All ball play should come from you (and not your family members, if your goal is to strengthen your bond with the dog)

Do you use the ball to reinforce your training? (ie as a reward?), or is it only used when you play fetch? Take advantage of his intense ball drive and make him work for it!

Think about that test from the dog's point of view; you were lying motionless on the ground, and your husband was in plain view, standing up. Who's more interesting to the dog? Your bond doesn't even come into play there...

 Quote: rosalinda van den ham

I have a 4 yr old male GSD which came with a 24/7 retrieving obsession when I bought him 2 yrs ago. Despite this I wanted to to put its loyalty to its owner to the test. I read a story once on this board about a female GSD which stayed with its owner after suicide and even chased the wild birds away so I wanted to see what reaction my dog would have if I would fall down.

 Quote: rosalinda van den ham

The Chi stayed behind. I was very disapointed,...

Chihuahuas never get any respect for their show of loyalty...

 Quote: rosalinda van den ham

3. What else can be done to increase my dog's loyalty to me instead to potential retrieving objects?

I agree that tethering will increase the bond with your dog, it will also prevent him from recruiting other retrieving partners. If you keep him securely tethered to you and happen to fall down dead in an isolated area he will be forced to stay with your body until he too has perished or he chews through the leash (or your arm).

Personally I would hate to have to depend on my dog to save me if I were incapacitated (a cell phone or satellite phone would be more reliable).

If my rotting corpse was lying in the woods I wouldn't hope it to be guarded by my "loyal" starving and suffering dog.

Tether him to you for a time, perhaps 2-4 weeks, and then turn him loose, if he follows you everywhere I would say that he is now "loyal" to you.

Maybe you husband would allow him in the house if he's tethered to you.

 Quote: Rosalinda van den Ham

How many hours the dog would have to be tethered to me (in a day)

When I tethered my pup it was all the time he was out of the crate or car (we ran a lot of errands); maybe 4-5 hours a day. Some of that was down time watching tv, reading a book but also doing laundry, housework etc. and his training, playtime too.

I understand being outside is a little different but incorporate his walk, exercise and training no off leash time for now. Tether while doing yard work, reading the book and maybe your husband will let him in if he is tethered (good idea Debbie).....is he housebroken?

Another thing I do with my dog when I feel he isn't paying as much attention as he should is to disappear. If we are hiking and he forges past me in a different direction, I let him keep going and hide behind a tree or a bush...as soon as he notices me missing he high tails it back and its a while before he forgets to check in again. All dog no matter how bonded do need reminders of how important we are to them; wow an epiphany kind of like a husband

There is an abundance of FREE information on this site in the way of articles and video. I know it can be discouraging when you have already bought DVD's on training, but please take advantage of all the free stuff here. Although I have purchased some DVD's, I started with the free information and it is super helpful.

The tethering seems to be the first step toward bonding with the dog. Also, all the comments about making sure everything the dog does is you suggestion (and not the dog's) will also make the dog YOUR dog.

The marker training is wonderful.

Go back to the beginning. Then, when you run into a problem, always go back to the basics.

I still do with my dog, even tho I have had her for over a year.

Almost all dog problems are actually handler problems, that's why we have to go back to the basics, so we actually re-train ourselves. Then, the worst thing that can happen is you spend extra time with your loyal companion in the form of fun for him/her and you, too.

Good luck and great reading to you.