[alice's mommy]

Arthur, now 19.5 weeks old, has decided that "listening" isn't really all it's cracked up to be! He got into a snarling match with another dog during the socialization/play time at his puppy class (the other dog kept trying to go on top of his head with both paws and Arthur wasn't having any of that) and had to be in a "time out" on leash twice during play time. Arthur lunged at someone passing on the sidewalk this week. He was about to pee and got distracted by a passer-by. He isn't listening as quickly for "sit" and "down" ...and seems to have forgotten what that whole "stay" was about.

Yesterday was a bad one. I had given him a pigs ear (after reading on here last night that pigs ears aren't good for them, the whole bag has been thrown out) and went to pat his head. He growled at me! I have consistently worked with him on "drop it" and rewarding with a yummy treat and "thought" that food/resource guarding wasn't a problem anymore...but I'm wrong. I sternly reprimanded him, off he went to the crate (tried to not make it a "punishment", but probably was this time) and threw out the pigs ears.

I've been on the computer for HOURS since last night researching these behaviours.

Is this the teenage months?! I've been doing NILIF....however I think I have been a little too free with the affection. I do make him sit before every rub/pat....but perhaps that's just rote for him now.

Just a tad discouraged.