Maybe he’s just trying to lull me into a false sense of security, but I’m getting the notion that Tobie may be leaving his Obnoxious Puppy phase. The horrid chewing and wanton destruction of my property has ceased. I can leave him alone for trips to town without very much fear of what the Lair will look like when I return. And he’s (rather suddenly, which is why I mistrust this) not being as much of an exhausting jackass when I take him out on the leash.
This last part is well timed and very welcome, because this is the time of year when I like to start my days with a long sweaty walk and Tobie would be welcome to come with if only he didn’t turn every outing into an infuriating battle of wills. Which, as previously mentioned, he hasn’t been doing for the past week or so. In fact, this morning he was largely more-or-less on heel. Which, coming from Tobie, is practically scary.
From his point of view, a less-grumpy Uncle Joel is a more-pleasant-to-be-around Uncle Joel. Also from his point of view, it seems…
Uncle Joel tends to be a rather determined morning walker. Which is more work than he may have signed up for. About 2/3 of the way home, Tobie signaled that he was done with this now. Unfortunately, we weren’t home yet.
Who knows, maybe he has finally accepted you are alpha.
I am no dog authority, but I’m guessing that there is a window of opportunity when a dog is over the puppy phase, but still young enough to learn. Perhaps now is the time to teach him off-leash commands & behavior?
I once successfully taught a dog using a long rope for a lead. Call the dog, and smile as you gently but firmly reel in the rope. Reward when he gets within arm’s reach. Probably there is a better way.
” And he’s (rather suddenly, which is why I mistrust this) not being as much of an exhausting jackass”
Animals tend to hid it when something isn’t right. Sudden changes of behaviour can signal something wrong health wise. Enjoy the quiet, but keep an eye on Tobie, there could be other things in play.
We’re working on that. I’ve been working on commands from the beginning, some of which he accepted happily and some of which he resist(s)(ed) depending on whether he saw an advantage in obeying them. He’s plenty smart enough to know what specific commands mean, and (alas) also smart/independent enough to decide whether he agrees. I’m told that’s an Anatolian thing. Using situations where you expect him to do what you want anyway is always a good tactic: He’s been going to and from the Jeep without a leash for some time now, because he can almost always be trusted to do that and there are few distractions.
Once I’m sure he’s smart/mature enough to avoid the Terrors of the Fire Swamp, he’ll be off the leash most of the time. I have much higher hopes for him in that regard than I did for Torso Boy, who figured it out nicely after a year.
What Mike said.
I could just be the transition form pain-in-the-butt puppy to responsible adult dog, but keep an eye out.
Oh, no, I think not. You haven’t seen Tobie with his evening zoomies. He’s quite healthy. All puppies grow up eventually. In their own way.