[Fowlercon]

Why is it that when pup is attached to lead (25') he comes with vigor, but when off he will not? For example, when he is in my backyard free-ranging I call him and he comes right over, but when its time to retrieve he wants to play with it and run away. When he retrieves with the lead on him he heels with no delay. In composing this post I think I figured it out--he is "collar-wise." Ok, so how do I prevent it? The book I am following insists this is apart of the conditioning process. Whats your take? One day will he just stop the off the lead antics? (18 wk old male chessy) Perhaps whenever I give a command I should be in a position to enforce it.

 

[Fowlercon]

Apparently "Heeler" and I have the exact situation, except I don't give him tennis balls. Been doing the going away and hallway trick since he was 8 1/2 wks old. He has been draggin a lead for an equal amount of time. My wife also has assured me that the kids have not been chasing him. With what I have been reading lately it is apparent that most puppies have what is refered to as a chasing instinct. Unsure of the reliability, but it seems possible. An unprovoked catch me if you can game. Yes, Mike, he is getting his adult teeth. I lack the experience you do but I don't think this is the cause. My observation of his behavior tells me that when he is off the lead--he knows it. The way his tail wags at me you would think he knows he's getting in my head. So my solution is when its time to train, its time to be on the lead. Like Heeler I'm hoping that persistance and time will make the idea click in his head one day. I just did'nt want it to be super-structured at such a young age and suck the fun out of it for him. If I have to do that to ultimately get a stud of a retreiver then that is whats going to happen. Thanks for the thoughts guys and if you got any more takes, keep em' comming.