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Maybe You Can Teach An Old Stubborn Dog New Tricks

Maybe You Can Teach An Old Stubborn Dog New Tricks

Last week I taught Leroy a new trick.

I didn’t think it was possible.

Leroy is one of the most lovable, stubborn dogs that I know and he has the attention span of a pea. A really, really small pea.

Leroy does what he wants to do when he wants to do it.

Leroy sit.

Eh. Maybe in a little bit.

Leroy sit NOW.

I don’t really want to.

So ever since the beginning it’s been a challenge to get him to learn commands and do a few small tricks. It’s for that reason we limited the amount of time that we spent on that area.  Now that I look back, maybe we shouldn’t have.

Maybe You Can Teach An Old Stubborn Dog New Tricks

Leroy’s not a dumb dog. He’s quite the opposite. He learns quick and he understands.

He just chooses not to listen when you want him too. It could go back to the days when he wasn’t treat motivated. His thoughts may have been: “I don’t really care if I don’t get that treat your holding. I don’t like it. I’ll just go eat some rocks”

But then, several years later,  we got to a place where Leroy IS treat motivated.

We saw minimal improvement but he didn’t miraculously become the dog that did anything that you asked of him.

He was still pretty selective.

But last week, at the park, I noticed an opportunity and I took my chances.

It was Victory Rock and I wondered if I could get Leroy to get up on it and pose.

Maybe You Can Teach An Old Stubborn Dog New Tricks

Now you have to keep in mind that the only thing that Leroy ever gets up on is the couch and he was totally distracted with the new sights and smells around him,  so I didn’t hold out much hope.

When I first told him “Up” he looked at me like, nope, not interested.

Then I said, “Leroy UP.”

He gave me a look like, hell no I’m not getting up there. It’s tilted and just no.

So then I got up on the rock and tried again.

He looked at me and looked away.

I tried again and this time held out a treat.

He effortlessly walked up.

I admit that I stood there for a few minutes in shock and then I gave them the treat.

I jumped down and told him to stay.

He did.

Then I told him to sit.

Maybe You Can Teach An Old Stubborn Dog New Tricks

He did not.

Instead he laid down.

O.k.  Lay down or stand and don’t look at me at all.

Perfect.

It might not have been the trick of all tricks and to be honest, it actually wasn’t a trick at all,  but I was so proud that he actually did it.

Maybe this stubborn old dog will let me teach him a thing or two after all.

 

 

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Jan K

Thursday 15th of September 2016

Great job, and I think that is a trick! I do "up up" with Luke a lot. I have limited success with my older girls. I know that our beagle Cricket is smart, but she is just TOO treat motivated and too stubborn. Just give me the damn treat. I'm cute and I know it and I don't need to do tricks for that. LOL. I am having a little success with nose works with her though....she can't deny that she's a scent dog so we may get somewhere with that.

Callie, Shadow, and Ducky's Mom

Thursday 15th of September 2016

Ducky must have some Newfie in her DNA, too! Smart as a whip; but more stubborn than her Mama and Daddy put together (and that's over-the-top stubborn, believe me!) when she doesn't want to do something. Callie could be stubborn at times but not like this! Holy Moly! But we love them to the moon and back anyway. ??

Monika & Sam

Sunday 11th of September 2016

Congrats!!! Im beginning to wonder if Sam doesn't have some Newfie genes somewhere in the DNA pond. He's so stubborn I seriously question whether or not he'd just dumb or too clever times two. ;) Kudos on the good job with your boy. ?

Jen

Monday 12th of September 2016

I use to think the same thing about Leroy! I think he just didn't want me to know how smart he really was!

M. K. Clinton

Thursday 8th of September 2016

This gives me such hope for Bentley. He did learn to turn around this spring so I will have to expand his senior tricks repertoire.

Jen

Friday 9th of September 2016

Nice job on the turn around Bentley! I would love to teach that!

Emma

Thursday 8th of September 2016

We totally get it. I am pretty stubborn myself, but then again my mom is too! Nice job there, Leroy.

Jen

Friday 9th of September 2016

Sometimes nice is the answer to stubbornness!

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