I have a problem with helga. She will obey anyone for a petting or for a ball.

She is a very friendly dog(to the point of being a fault). She will run upto any one, her tail furiously wiggling and gladly get petted by any one and every one. I did not think much of it because she is only 15 months old.

Today I found that she obeys any one on the road. I dont want her to do that.

What is needed to correct the situation.


Regards

Ram

Who commands her?!

Today I had taken her and Kaiser to the beach for some Ob training. There were some people who were on the beach , watching the stuff. One chap decided, he will try the same stuff I said, and she obeyed.

Oh Ram, it's better than biting everyone!
Maybe she is just a very very nice dog who has been well trained.
I bet Bommi doesn't obey everyone.

Ram

I don't think it is unusal for the general,happy dog to obey a command they know from another person, and would view that as positive on your training. But I do understand your concern. I would only allow her to interact with people in the way you want, and might have to do a combination of a solid recall/stay and tell people no. I've also taught my dogs a command to say hi and one to end the say hi and return to me. For me, I had to tell people no and get good at it, a solid recall/stay takes time.

Betty> Some times I wish my dobes had a bit of meanness in them. I am serious. They seem to behave like big puppies. Some times I wonder if they offer me or my house any protection. Yes. Bommi on the other hand will have none of it.

I have tested it, asked strangers to command her, and she will just ignore them and either come to me or move away.

I think it is genetic. I have not trained bommi any differently than the other three. Kaiser too can be a bit standoffish with strangers.


Aimee> I have already trained a standard "go say hello" command for all my dogs. Ofcourse bommi never says hello to any strangers. She does not like it. But the other three will. I would hate to put an e collar on her and correct her every time she gets too excited about a stranger. She is just 15 m/o and I hoping that once she matures, she will become more possessive/guarding etc. (But I dont have my hopes high)

My brother was here a couple of weekends ago and at one point he tried to get Echo’s attention by calling his name. Of course, like a good boy (not to mention the fact he's a northern breed), he was totally non-responsive. Then I get the “it’s nice to see your dog doesn’t listen when his name's called either.” I said “No, he doesn’t listen when YOU call his name”.

They were all relaxing and I hated doing it but the taunting from a younger brother can be relentless if he feels he’s got something on you. So I made a noise to wake him up (this is a 134 lb boy in 90 degree weather, that’s been exercised). Up with his head and I use a very specific tone that means fun and great treats only. He was extremely slow and methodical (which allowed me the time to run and grab the treats) but he made his way up on the porch with that one call out.

To me their names are sacred and it often bothers me when people ask. To the point that they all have pseudo names for that specific purpose (to be diluted by strangers). When Echo is out in public and engaged, he will sit (more a conditioned response to the sight of a treat) for strangers and shake a paw. This is generally all people need to think he’s “well-trained”. I would never allow anyone to attempt anything further with him. They might as well be telling me that it’s time to speak or go stand in the corner. I just don’t allow him to pay any attention to it.

Vince WILL NOT do ANYTHING for anyone. I had a good friend, who he’s actually quite comfortable with, attempt to throw a ball (his absolute obsession). A complete look of confusion on his face as he watched the ball fly and drop. I’m not exactly sure what this is but I’m totally good with it. He’s what I would call, a “One Man Dog”. Probably much like Bommi.

 Quote: aimee pochron

I don't think it is unusal for the general,happy dog to obey a command they know from another person, and would view that as positive on your training.

I think the fact that Helga will perform when she hears a “familiar” command, given by “humans”, is a testament to your training (her conditioning) and a wonderful, respectful, outgoing, engaged temperament. A higher energy pup that’s eager and willing to please, in your presence, for others.

It may be interesting to see what she’d do if you weren’t there.

With Echo, because he’s not the quickest performer I always interrupt the connection with strangers with commands I know will engage him, with me, quickly - diluting the need to perform for others. And like with my brother the other weekend, he has no problem completely ignoring the “voice” of strangers.

Ram, have you done much in the way of proofing exercises with Helga where you ask her to perform her obedience commands amidst increasing distractions? I know you take your dogs out in public a lot and work them, which is great, but I'm specifically talking about the distractions of another person trying to get Helga's attention, since that seems to be the problem. That's where I would start, because it sounds to me like Helga simply doesn't know that she is NOT to listen to strangers telling her what to do.

I would suggest starting out by having her do a stay, for example, and you yourself roll a ball in front of her, or whatever else it is that really gets her excited. Then you can gradually enlist the help of friends or family members to do the same thing.

I would keep the corrections gentle and easy at this point, and not use an e-collar. This does not sound like willful disobedience to me but, rather, just her natural outgoing personality expressing itself. At 15 months old, she is still very young and is still in the process of learning impulse control.

Hi. My apologies if it was understood that you correct her for greeting others. Not at all what I meant. More of either not letting her go to others and if you let her say hi to limit the contact to your comfort zone. Tell people what they can and cannot do until she matures and/or has a solid recall/stay so you have more control of the interactions. Hope not to confuse matters for you.

Helga could be a late bloomer. Mine are usually standoffish with strangers as well, if memory serves me correctly the ones I had as youngers were that way to a degree aroung 8-12 mos. I still find it necessary to remind people that they cannot interact and body block, despite the dog's obvious appearance of not wanting contact with them.