[Maddie1110]

I am having a hard time getting my puppy to pay attention to me. She is just stubborn and does not listen, even with treats! I don't want her to get hurt chasing a squirrel or even worse a car, she is all over the place.

[labman]

Please don't let you dog loose around traffic. There are some dogs that will never be reliable off lead like that even for the most experienced trainers.

What you need to do is get into a good obedience program. Dogs see all the people and dogs in the household as a pack with each having their own rank in the pack and a top dog. Life is much easier if the 2 legged pack members outrank the 4 legged ones. You can learn to play the role of top dog by reading some books or going to a good obedience class. A good obedience class or book is about you being top dog, not about rewarding standard commands with a treat. Start at Raising Your Dog with the Monks of New Skete For more on being top dog, see Establishing and Keeping Alpha Position

[mrscoltweaver]

It's also fun to join a basic obedience class where you and your dog go-great socialization for your dog and you learn, too! Most Petsmart's have them and you can call kennels in your area. Once you get the basics down, you may be able to do the rest at home. Just make sure all vaccinations are current...

[RubyPitbull]

Maddie, I know you have posted a number of questions here. I am assuming that you read through all the material I suggested on a much earlier posting about ACDs. Both labman & mrscoltweaver are right.

First and foremost, you need to keep your puppy on a leash at all times. Until she is fully trained, you are taking a huge risk with her safety. I know you would be devastated if anything should happen to her so please keep her safe.

I think a structured class would be most beneficial for you both. As Mrsc suggests, it is a lot of fun and creates a great bonding experience for you both. ACDs are one breed that if provided the proper training, they will rarely leave their person's side except to do the job they were bred to do. It really is a lot of fun to be one of those people whose dog will walk by your side and stick to you like glue. That is what she is capable of doing. Once you have both mastered the basics, start taking it up a notch, go for the intermediary classes AND in a few months time, enroll her in an agility class. I think I explained to you earlier that these are working dogs. You have already seen how she is with the frisbee. They are just amazing in agility! Unless you live on a farm or in an area where you have access to one, and can give her the opportunity to train for the job she was born to do, herding cattle, the agility coursework is a wonderful, wonderful alternative for her. She needs a job. She needs to satisfy that instinct within her. If she is allowed to exhaust all of that energy within her, you will find yourself with a much calmer and more relaxed dog whose frame of mind will be open and eager to listen to your commands.

[Maddie1110]

I am having a hard time getting my puppy to pay attention to me. She is just stubborn and does not listen, even with treats! I don't want her to get hurt chasing a squirrel or even worse a car, she is all over the place.

Thank you all so much.

We always keep her on the leash! We also D-Clip her to our pants so there is no getting away. However she just pulls you along as she wants to chase that car or squirrel. That is what bothers me. She is a people person and would do anything to go lick everyone she sees and some people just don't want anything to do with her, she is cute in the way she thinks everyone is out to see her but I want her to be calmer around new people and children.
I'm glad I read some the "Top Dog" issues. I have been doing some major no no's like laying on the floor reading while she lays on my lap chewing her toys and well as playing tug of war with her on the floor. Any suggestions for play then to make me the Top Dog :)
Thank you all so much.

[labman]

Maybe I was too busy having a real life today to give you this material:

''Elevation for small puppies: Sit on the floor and gently put your hands around your pup's middle, below his front legs, and lift him up. He is facing you. Hold him for 15 seconds. Repeat until he no longer struggles. If he is past 10-12 weeks, lift his front feet off the ground, but don't pick him up.

Cradling for small puppies: Hold your puppy gently on his back, as you would cradle a small baby. If he struggles, hold him firmly until he quiets for 10-15 seconds. With larger pups, you can do this as your sit on the floor, with your pup between your legs.

Quiet lying down: Place your pup on the floor on his side, with all 4 legs pointing away from you. Use your hands on his neck/shoulder area and middle, to hold him in this position. When he is quiet, praise him. Lengthen the time that you keep him quietly in this position. When he accepts this position well, handle his paws and muzzle, while keeping him quiet.''

The quotes mean this isn't my original work. It is copied from my Puppy Raising Manual. I have long used these or minor variations of them, and they are very effective. You may want to give him a belly rub while he is on his back too. Helps bonding. There is a big difference between him rolling over and demanding a belly rub, and you choosing a time to roll him over and rub his belly. The latter cements your place as pack leader.

A head collar is of the best solution to pulling. The leading brands are Promise, Haltie, and Gentle Leader. They have a strap going around the dogs nose looking something like a muzzle. They work by pulling the dogs head around. No other way gives you such great control with so little force.