Is my dog a 'teenager'?!

sezeelson

I lived with someone who had ADHD so i can completely understand that having a routine and sticking to it every day would be impossible!!

Focus on the mental stimulation at least, make everything he does and gets a game for example give him his breakfast in a treat dispensing ball. If you allow him on the sofa make him do some tricks before you allow him up with you. On walks make him focus on you, lay down and wait while you take off the lead and then give the command to go play! There are also puzzle games and things you can buy off the internet which are quite good. just make everything fun! if your feeling stressed or had a bad day then you don't need to bother, there not rules just a bit of fun

Just little things like that to get his brain going and will always help with his training and obedience as well.

swimityswim

Thank you everyone. That's all both useful and comforting!

ruthcatrin

Routine is important, but I have mild ADD so I can understand why it doesn't work either! On the other hand I'm betting you have at least a basic routine whether you realize it or not (you have children, and a husband, and presumably at least one of you has a job, therefor you have a routine to some degree, even if you don't conciensly realize it).

Having multiple methods to recall wouldn't be bad, if for example your current recall method is to say come, then training him to a whistle TOO wouldn't be bad, just don't let the verbal command lapse.

Mental stimulation, games and toys (homemade or storebought) to make him work for his food ought to help with some of the problem.

And yes your dog could be going through a teen/terrible twos stage, just keep working on it and you'll all come out in the end!