New to the Forum

[Ollie n' Dexter]

Hi all, as you can probably tell by the name, I'm Ollie and my little 16 week Border Terrier pup is Dexter. I've really wanted to get to know more dog owners and learn as much as I can about this important time of learning for both of us.

We look forward to getting to know you all.

 

[JudyN]

What a cute face. He looks very mischevious though!

 

[Josie]

Welcome to the forum @Ollie n' Dexter - Dexter looks a cheeky chap

 

[Ollie n' Dexter]

He's trouble personified Julie, I've heard owners call them border terrorists and their not far wrong. Thank you Josie

 

[Violet Turner]

What a cutie, does he have any specific problems we could try and help with?

 

[arealhuman]

What a handsome chap! Welcome both to the forum

 

[Ollie n' Dexter]

What a cutie, does he have any specific problems we could try and help with?

Hi Violet, he's great in almost every way but the 2 big stumbling blocks at the moment are he refuses to walk on the pavement half of the time and the second is non stop barking at puppy classes because he just wants to play. He's so obedient when he wants to be (he's now ringing a bell to go out for toilet) but so stubborn too.

 

[JoanneF]

With walking, it is a bit of a learning curve for them as everything is so new and scary (and big!). You could turn so you are facing him and walk backwards for a few paces, encouraging to come towards you for a tasty treat. You can progress that to walking sideways. The important thing is not to tug him, you want him to enjoy walks, not to dread them as he finds them unpleasant.

With the barking, again it is understandable that he is excited. Are you using a clicker? If so, you can click as he stops barking and reward.

Terriers are often stubborn but if the reward for doing something is great enough, they are quick to learn.

 

[JudyN]

I prefer to think of it as 'independent-minded' rather than stubborn Pups aren't born with an instinctive urge to do what we want them to do - the trick is to make them want to do what we want them to do.