I say OK, but really I think in a lot of ways "Free" is a better choice. Ok is easy to say at the wrong times. I don't worry about anticipation, that shows that he's trying to do what you want and you have his attention.

It could be easier for you to just use one thing right now when your working on focus. Just Sit. Use distance and concentrate on some focus in a sit, no movement. Build his attention and his ability to tune out distractions in that fixed position and keep using it when you decrease the distance a little, or even better, see if someone will help you, let them work in a little closer at a time, just walking by, then later maybe talking a little, while you maintain his focus. Small steps at a time.

Zoomies are possible Jenny..lol...it just takes time, patience and diligence on your part.

I wish I had a video of what Tucker was like when i first got him and what he's like now. I can/do let him off leash and he's perfectly fine...but thats also because I am CONSTANTLY scanning ahead of us and behind us for any wayward furry missles. I never let him get too far ahead.....and never let him round a corner ahead of me. I recall him at least 20 times on our walks, even if it's not required and party it up when he gets to me. He LOVES it...does the whole body wag and dances around.

So it is possible. To put in perspective Tuckers DA. I got him from a rescue, and they were having a hard time placing him because he had attacked and killed a smaller dog. Luckily for him the rescue realized that it was a case of bad circumstances and didn't just write him off as Un-adoptable. He is such a lovely dog with people, and a big clown, funloving and a jokester. I guess they decided to try and adopt him out. They were completely honest with me about what had happened (foster family had left him alone with another dog while they were out) and made sure I understood how he was.
He still has no use for other dogs...his first reaction is to fight. But we can now walk past other dogs and play fetch in the park with other dogs walking on the path with no problems. But again, I take no chances. I see another dog, doesn't matter how far away they are, i recall him and put him back on his leash until they have passed. I never take a chance.

Do you have any area in a park that's fenced in where you can take Jethro and let him off? Like an old Tennis court, or a baseball diamond or something like that? Some where you can take him to play with off leash and practice the recall and other things without having to worry about him taking off after something?

Thanks for your words of encouragement and instruction. We had a reaction free walk this morning. We practiced Halt, Sit, Down, Focus, Paw, and Touch (my open hand). We worked just about every intersection corner and mid-block when there were pedestrians. Guess what? When Jethro is staring up into my eyes he is not looking at an elderly passerby. There is no danger. Plus, he is so keen to earn those treats!

There is a tennis court, but it is in the middle of a busy walkway and there are several openings that would be hard to seal up. Also, it is pavement, and I'm loathe to have Jethro running and especially jumping while he is maturing (he just turned 2).

He did get some zoomies running in circles on his leash and he loves to jump for sticks and toys. That will have to suffice for the time being.

It was quite a workout for all of us (Skipper included) having a brisk walk and then stopping for OB exercises. I stopped using Wait and Stay because I was confused about what each of them meant. I have adopted the method discussed on this forum: Sit means sit until released; Down means down until released. I've started extending the duration at the corners.

 Quote: Jenny Arntzen

Thanks for your words of encouragement and instruction. We had a reaction free walk this morning. We practiced Halt, Sit, Down, Focus, Paw, and Touch (my open hand). We worked just about every intersection corner and mid-block when there were pedestrians. Guess what? When Jethro is staring up into my eyes he is not looking at an elderly passerby. There is no danger. Plus, he is so keen to earn those treats!

There is a tennis court, but it is in the middle of a busy walkway and there are several openings that would be hard to seal up. Also, it is pavement, and I'm loathe to have Jethro running and especially jumping while he is maturing (he just turned 2).

He did get some zoomies running in circles on his leash and he loves to jump for sticks and toys. That will have to suffice for the time being.

It was quite a workout for all of us (Skipper included) having a brisk walk and then stopping for OB exercises. I stopped using Wait and Stay because I was confused about what each of them meant. I have adopted the method discussed on this forum: Sit means sit until released; Down means down until released. I've started extending the duration at the corners.

"When Jethro is staring up into my eyes he is not looking at an elderly passerby. There is no danger. Plus, he is so keen to earn those treats!"

YESSSS!

This whole posts sounds very positive to me!

That sounds great Jen!

progress in small steps is the way to go with this.

I didn't realize Jethro was that young...sorry.

And you're right, that tennis court is not the right environment.

Good Job

It is hard to believe it, but I remember a moment out on a walk with both dogs a couple of months ago, and I was thinking, "So this is what it is going to be like once Jethro is mature." We were having a wonderful, non-eventful walk! It was actually restful to be out walking with my dogs!

Now I am having to spray bitter apple on the banister so he won't chew it, we have to be careful where we put the dog food to thaw so he doesn't guard it, and every encounter in the big wide world is a training exercise. I'm sure hoping things will settle down after he matures.

I'm going to arrange a new schedule with my husband. I need to get Jethro out for a run, at least every other day, and I can't do it with both dogs in tow. Jethro still needs to learn to run beside me without getting over excited.

This morning my husband took Jethro to a regional park in the wee hours of the morning before it opens. Hopefully Jethro will get a good run around there without any problems. I took Skipper to the field and gave him a good long game of Fetch, which he has been craving for months. It was really fun to spend time with my little old fellow. He is an amazing dog and tends to get overshadowed by Jethro's drama.

We will continue our training walks as per usual, but I think both dogs are needing one to one attention and an outlet for their running energy.

You are obviously doing everything in your power to get both your dogs the burn time as well as the training time they are requiring, I understand that structured training is crucial for Jethro, but his need to run off his excess energy is so important to his mental welfare too, and the fact you are coming up with ways to give him that freedom under the cover of darkness is a testament to your, and your husbands dedication to him.

And I bet Skipper is loving having you to himself for a run too, I felt my Pointers were being overlooked last year when all the crap stuff was going on, it is a bit like when you have a tricky child who is giving you grief, and the others have to take a back seat while you bang your head on the wall dealing with it, but they do grow up eventually, and hopefully you will have a break through with Jethro soon; I admire your determination to make this work, good on you and your husband.

Keep going forward, it will all be so worth it

I agree with Tracey, and to add to it, you are an inspiration to me as my male is reactive on our walks. I really admire your never ending dedication to Jethro, and your commitment as a dog owner.

I have experienced that too. With my Cody he is such a high energy dog and is continually having to be directed that my girl Bindi can get left out. She lives to please. Cody likes to please and loves to train, but everything is always on high drive. when I let him out of his crate in the morning, he flies out and that is how he is the rest of the day. when I ask him to do something so simple, like sit..he jumps up in the air and then sits. He is always moving. So my Bindi girl can get lost in the shuffle. So at night when all the dogs sleep, I let her stay up late and she gets to be alone with just me and my husband and she loves it! I try and walk her everyday too. But it is true, the squeekiest wheel gets oiled. So sometimes Bindi who is so good, gets overlooked as I try and reel in the jumping leeping and silly Cody.
But aren't they all so great? I just love the different personalities of my dogs. Cody has been a work in progress since we got him. A rescue he learned bad habits that I have been trying to get out of him since I had him. He has greatly improved but he does take a lot of my time and focus. He has a great little dog heart though. Any dog is hurt, he is the first to come and tell me. He is the first to stay by a sick dog, like my Terra was. He absolutely loves children (but he tires them out) and is fun loving. So I have learned a lot from him.
I too have to make schedules to get all three dogs trained and given attention to.


Though it is work, I can tell you enjoy Jethro. Keep up the good work, be consistent, and it looks like he is going to be a great dog.
Cody is the little black dog, Bindi is the dog in the middle of this picture. Sharon

I really appreciate these votes of confidence! Jethro seems to go through these phases up upstanding asshattedness and then all of a sudden he is back, walking with me, checking in with me, eminently trainable.

I'm hoping we can get through to his young adulthood in one piece.

Skipper is definitely appreciating the separation. He seems calmer, and is getting much better at letting me out of his sight for extended periods of time.

I have written out a list of the basic commands that we need Jethro to improve on, in different venues and levels of distraction. I sent it to my husband, so we are both on the same page and Jethro is getting exactly (well almost) the same guidance from both of us.

We have eliminated Wait and Stay, opting for a Sit or Down that lasts until released. We also have Halt, which is Stop, Sit, and Wait until released.