What to Do When Your Retriever’s Obedience Falters

If you’ve ever wondered, “Why isn’t my retriever listening like it used to?” or “What happened to my dog’s obedience?” you’re not alone. Many dog owners experience a frustrating shift in their dog's behavior after a period of successful training. But don’t worry—there’s a way to address this issue and get back on track.

Understanding why this happens can help you respond effectively. Here are two common reasons for a drop in obedience and how you can handle them:

1. Your Puppy Has Reached a Developmental Stage

Around six months of age, puppies often hit a stage where they become more exploratory. They might start testing boundaries, distracted by new sights, sounds, and smells. This phase can seem like a setback, but it’s a natural part of your puppy’s development.

What to Do:

• Patience is Key: Recognize that this stage is temporary. Use it as an opportunity to reinforce training rather than getting frustrated.
• Use Training Tools: Consider employing a slip lead or check cord to help maintain your pup’s focus and prevent wandering.

2. Focus on New Skills Overlaps with Basic Skills

When introducing new skills, such as marking, you might inadvertently neglect previously learned obedience commands like heelwork or sit. This can cause your dog to slip back into less reliable behavior.

What to Do:

• Reinforce Basics Regularly: Incorporate basic obedience into every training session. Start with foundational skills, maintain them throughout, and end with a review.
• Integrate Obedience with New Skills: As you teach new commands, continuously reinforce basic obedience. For instance, if your dog is not walking at heel properly, pause the session until your dog is in the correct position before proceeding.
• Attention to Detail: Pay close attention to every command and ensure your dog complies each time. Address any deviations immediately to prevent them from becoming habits.

Final Tips: Consistency is crucial. Don’t let new skills overshadow the importance of maintaining obedience. By reinforcing foundational skills and correcting mistakes as they happen, you’ll ensure that your dog remains well-trained and responsive.

BuildFromHere,

Josh Parvin

P.S. For a structured approach to integrating obedience training with new skills, consider checking out the Complete Retriever. It offers pre-planned sessions to help you balance training effectively.