I have a one year old chocolate labrador who has always been a bit of a whiner but lately is getting worse. He starts at 7am every morning for a walk, fine in the week, but not at the weekend! He then whines in the day whenever he wants walking, to come in or out of the garden or when he is bored. He seems to know exactly what the time is and whines in anticipation of walks. Should I vary his walk times and not stick to the same time of day? Do I tell him off for whining or just completely ignore him?
His other problem is his recall, if there are any distractions. He refuses to return if he sees another dog, and makes a nuisance of himself to the other person. I usually end up chasing after him but am unsure how to respond to him when I grab him! Do I ignore him, scold him for not coming back? I've walked off and left him before, but he didn't care and went home with the other dogs owner. Not ideal! Any ideas gratefully accepted. Thanks.

Sounds just like my dog, she's ten months now and everything you said about your lab we are having the same sort of problems with our GSP. Sorry I can't help you, but at least you know that there's others in the same boat!!!
P.S. Keep me posted if you find a solution!

I think the answer to the whining is not to give in to it, otherwise you are rewarding it. Easier said than done I appreciate! I think your suggestion of varying times is a good one 'cus then you can take him for a walk when he has not been whining and don't take him when he does.
Can you drown him out on a Sunday morning with some relaxing music or get some earplugs because whinging I know, is hard to ignore but if you don't it is sure to continue.
You should be the one who decides when to get up, go for a walk etc not the dog.
Ted
good luck

Just for some encouragement, you will often find a dog's behaviour will get much worse before it gets better, and many onwers think the dog is just getting worse and give up. It'S like us with a cashpoint that doesn't work, we dont' beleive it and try again, bang it and curse and try again! Dogs will do the same, so if you get this "extinction burst" just hang on in there! ;)

Good luck

lindsay

Sounds like spoilt a and much loved dog! He is ruling the roost there. Ignore the whining and take him for walks at varying times. If you yell at him not to whine or give in and take him out, he will have gained attention which is what he is wanting from you, so as hard as it is ignore him. Always on your terms not his.
As to the recall, find a good training club asap. Where do you live? Perhaps other members may know of a good club near you. I usually take my young pups out and walk across a field in a "zig-zag" path, so as my pup gets too far ahead I turn and back track, until it realises I am no longer there, then it returns to me. If I get a persistent little dog, who is determined to lead the way, I will walk where there are places to hide. I hide and the dog eventually panics and races back to look for me. I would never go after the dog, unless it was in danger or being a really big pita to someone. It doesn't do any good to follow as you are then being led, and once again he has got his own way.