| Leon...
PLEASE !!!! Do not FORCE a puppy to do anything... Learning should be a FUN, POSITIVE, and CONSISTANT process for a puppy.
If he is not sitting when you do not have a treat, then he has NOT learned what is expected of him.... or ~ he has YOU trained...;)
It sounds to me like your pup is not leashed while you are working on his obedience.. with a leash, you have a greater degree of controlling the situation, and you can use it to GUIDE Milo to the proper action.. NOT FORCE.
Direct eye contact is a way of displaying dominance, and is actually a threatening signal to dogs... Again... please do not FORCE a puppy to give you eye contact.. make it FUN!!!!!!
Your pup is quickly approaching 7 mos of age ~ this is a time when puppies go through a second "fear period", in which situations/reactions, and recovery from them are imprinted for life. Forcing your pup to give you eye contact by grabbing his head and staring him down will more than likely do nothing more than make your puppy fearful of you. Is that what you're looking for in a companion dog? (or any dog for that matter)...
What does your obedience instructor say about the issues you're having with Milo, and his inconsistant behavior?
Inconsistancy in behavior is brought about through inconsistancy in training.
Regards,
Elisabeth  |