Lexxsmom

Hey everyone

So, I'm having some training troubles with my dear boy.. He's almost 6 months and I have been training him both at home and in obedience classes since the age of 8 weeks. He has also started attending some... "doberman specific" training which encompasses some shutzhund, some tracking, some agility and some conformation handling, so that I can see what HE wants to do.

He has always been moderately great at everything once he understands it. He has been able to sit on command since 9 weeks. Then THIS week, at almost 6 months, its as though he's just suddenly.."forgotten" how to sit!!! I've tried everything! I went right back to basics, luring with a treat or toy and saying sit, using his old hand signal and saying sit, saying sit and using a gentle tug up on the collar.... NOTHING short of actually saying SIT and pushing him bum gently to the ground will make him sit. Its ridiculous! I hate having to push him down because i want him to WANT to sit, i've been really carefull never to force him into anything.

My only other thought is that he got kinda run over by my horse a few days ago. After having a minor heartattack, he jumped up and ran over to me and was kinda sucky, but not hurt obviously. He limped a little bit the next day in the front end, but i felt everywhere for heat, moved all his joints in all of his legs and rested him for 2 days. Now he seems fine ( other than the sit issue...)

Is there any way that maybe its hurting him and I should have it checked? Or is he just being a teenager and rebelling against me? Do a lot of dobes have a kinda... "backwards in training." stage? I've never trained one before.

thanks, sorry it was so long.. I'm just worried and frustrated

tg5452

I'm not no expert, but my dobie girl is 7 months and knows how to sit, shake, give other hand, lay, wait, easy and etc. Lately even though we practice every night she is not doing it right away like usual. I was thinking it is just her stubborn phase of her life. She only wants to do what she wants to do when she wants to do it. Its funny you can sit on the coach and say it and nothing just this look like what, nah not right now, if she sees you starting to stand up to correct her she will do it right away. Don't know if that helps, but just know I am going through the same thing!!!!

ddsalazar

I would have my pup checked out to be on the safe side. I used to take my Jack to a vet chiropractor for routine exams when he did bone head things and seemed a bit off. This was AFTER having him checked out by the vet. I took Jack in when he ran head on into our redwood picnic table, ran and smacked his leg on the propane tank and popped his elbow out after jumping off the sofa. Dobermans are so very strong and will often times not let on when they don't feel well. Better to be safe than sorry as he is so young. Just my opinion.

Lexxsmom

tg5452, thanks for the words of encouragement, its nice to know that I'm not the only one out there frustrated! Its funny that you say that she does it slowly, often lexx will take a few seconds to lay down or sit, as if to say, are....you....sure....oh..ok. plunk. hahahahaha

Bilclarie

It could be growing pains!!!! agility is the probable cause for his joint's aching I personally wouldn't start that type of excersise until a year old but it could also be obedience over load he is only a baby afterall and can only take so much in at anyone time try doing one thing at a time with him and once he's got the hang of one move on to another.

__________________
"He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog.
You are his life, his love, his leader.
He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart.
You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion."
Bilclarie Dobermann's
www.bilclarie.com

Lexxsmom

for the agility work he does no jumping, only practicing running through tunnels and around poles, occaisonally he gets to climb the big A frame, but only at a walk, no running or jumping! I promise that i wouldn't do that to him!

Speaking of which, when can pups start running and jumping? Ive heard anywhere from 6 months to a year.. i run and I was thinking of allowing Lexx to try it out around 11 months or so... does everyone think that would be ok?

Bilclarie

Hi Lexxsmom you shouldn't over excersise any puppy until it's a year old certainly not a large breed as this is there maximum growth time.

__________________
"He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog.
You are his life, his love, his leader.
He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart.
You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion."
Bilclarie Dobermann's
www.bilclarie.com