Ever since Beau got her surgery she has been rebelious!?!? why? she doesnt want to listen to me when i take her to play with the other dog at the ranch. If i call her she wont come??... But when were home she listens well. i am confused and a little bit upset because it is very frustrating. Please help with anything you can.

lindsay

The short answer is shes having such a good time with her pal she dosent want it to end and associates you calling her with the end of playtime. To come away form this she needs a bigger reward from you - really special treats like cheese or hot dog, a special toy/game, whatever floats her boat. Dont call her if you are worried she wont come as this will teach her to ignore you, maybe wait till shes tired and wants to stop then call. Practice recall on other occasions like in the house or on a walk without other dogs ( I know form bitter experience this can be hard to arrange as every time you practice another dog will appear!) reward every return at first then once shes 10 out of 10 reward the fastest response with the best treat, vary the rewards so its hot dog, good girl, game or lead and she never knows which. Oh and reard her then release her for more play so she dosnt think a call is the end of freedom. If you have BIG recall problems, use a long line to reel her in until she knows when you call she returns.

Its probably nothing to do with surgery but her age - teenage dogs ( 6-18  months) get the wanderlust and think they can be out without mum. My dog was a right pain about this for a while but now hes pretty reliable unless he gets the hunting bug. I dont call him then but I dont hang around waiting for him either. Chill and it will get better. :)

What surgery and what age?

I think she was spayed - not sure of age...

She was spayed at 16 months. Thank you so much for the advice. I will try that.

I found a miracle cure for recalling my 5 month pup (not to say it will work for every dog but worth a try) - I encourage her to play with every dog we see, off lead, on every walk!  It takes the appeal away from it I think?  This way I dont have to keep calling her and teach her to ignore her name!!!  I walk up to other dogs (asking unknown owners first of course!) then when I want to move on I just go - without calling her - She realises mum is off and then comes.  She then gets a fuss and treat for coming back!  Sometimes I give her a call just to let her know I'm going, I also run away from her sometimes when she looks up that makes her come!  I also go up to pup on walks, take her collar give her a treat and let her go again so she gets used to my approach without thinking it will end up with her going on the lead and play stopping!  Like I said, it may not work for everyone but it has worked wonders for me, I try and look at it from their point, in that playing with fellow canines is much more fun than coming back :D and our constant calling back is just reinforcing this drive while making the dog ignore its name?  I now have a 5 month old sight hound who comes back when called!!
Sarah
Ps.  I use chicken on walks - to hard to resist :D