Is this normal?

S

Sheltie.Mama

Forums Enthusiast
Shay is 16 weeks old and she won't come, won't sit, will not whine to go to the bathroom, and runs away whenever I come walking towards her (you would think she was abused). I don't know what I am doing wrong. I sit down with her daily, and give her treats when she performs whatever it is I want her to do. I am beginning to think she is untrainable.. Is there something I am doing wrong? Is this normal? :confused2:
 
Sounds normal to me! I usually experience puppy problems between the ages of 4-6 months, each pup is different but it is normally during teething. Just take things slow it will get better!
 
that is about the age when my Hanna suddenly 'forgot' everything - she would sit but it took forever, almost in slow motion...just keep working with her and it will get better
 
Chris said:
Yep -- be glad you have a girl. Many boys don't get their brains until they're four. :rolleyes2:
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Don't tell my boys that :lol: They were easier to train for me. my the girls are more like whatever I will do it if I feel like it, of course then there is Summer... Her nickname is Summy-Dummy! :lol: She is just so friendly and active that she cant sit still more than 5 seconds without having to kiss you.
 
Chris said:
Yep -- be glad you have a girl. Many boys don't get their brains until they're four. :rolleyes2:
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Ha my boys beg to differ. Justice was born with his brain. Birchs' was firmly in place at 2yrs. Diva's was lost in the mail until she was 3.
 
Make learning a game for your puppies. I know there are those pups that seem to thrive on formal learning but most don't especially when they have too much structure. Go back to basics. If she looks at you when you call her name, reward her. If she sits, or even starts to sit, reward her. If she looks like she is going to bolt when you approach, change your own direction. When she starts to follow, reward without staring at her. You wouldn't deem a kindergarten student a failure at the tender age of 4 because he/she didn't write a story or failed to stay in the lines when colouring a picture. It's the same with pups. Set them up for success even if the success isn't exact. They will learn that it is self rewarding to learn the cues and perform them well if you keep it light and fun.
 
Tagg said:
Make learning a game for your puppies. I know there are those pups that seem to thrive on formal learning but most don't especially when they have too much structure. Go back to basics. If she looks at you when you call her name, reward her. If she sits, or even starts to sit, reward her. If she looks like she is going to bolt when you approach, change your own direction. When she starts to follow, reward without staring at her. You wouldn't deem a kindergarten student a failure at the tender age of 4 because he/she didn't write a story or failed to stay in the lines when colouring a picture. It's the same with pups. Set them up for success even if the success isn't exact. They will learn that it is self rewarding to learn the cues and perform them well if you keep it light and fun.
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Well said.
Sometimes we forget these are very, very young animals.

Be Big,
AMAC
 
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