My westie is a great dog but as I've posted before he does try to run away.  While out walking I got chatting to a lady who said her dog was like that and eventually grew out of it.  Is it just a thing that young dogs do or are they always likely to be like that?  He will be 1 in march and at this moment in time he goes against everything I say or do being very stubborn and then sulks for ages.

It is a stage, just like teenagers, they do improve. It is one of the reasons we tell people not to buy a second puppy when the first gets to 5 months and they think everything is going well.

And I am one of those people who took the advice; not to get another puppy. Thank you all.

You have to remember though you have a terrier and they have minds of their own and 12 months is smack in the middle of "teenager mode" for dogs; don't panic it gets better...so I'm told :) 

Karen

Bailey,

My Norman is nearly ten and he still sits facing the wall if he doesn't get his own way.  He's great on the recall if I have a pocket full of biscuits and there's no other dogs/people/blades of grass to distract him.  He takes absolutely no notice of me.  I was calling him last night and he wouldn't come so I put on my angry voice.  He came towards me looking sheepish and I started to give him a lecture "Why do I have to shout at you before you do anything?  Why don't you just come when you're told?  I don't like shouting at you".  A bloke came up behind me and asked if I expected him to answer!!!!! :D

LOL at Joe

I have the same problem with a 7 yo cocker rescue who I've had for nearly a year.  He is a dream in the house and garden for recall, but off-lead just doesn't want to know.  I only let him off-lead in a secure field - he will come (knowing he gets a treat if he does when I call) only if the other smells aren't interesting.  He even walks past me on a smell, looks up, and carries on! 

In my limited experience ( 1 dog) its a combination of training, mellowing with age and the breed traits - some are strong willed, some a bit scatty and some live to please. Over time they understand that its more fun to do as asked and undesirable behaviour just wont be rewarded. Now thats the theory, lets hear it from all those who know different ! :D

lily tells me where to go all the time. she glares at me in a inpetuous way and then goes off and does her own thing, unfortunately i think this is more breed trait (parson russell) than teenagerdom - she's 7 months old. god knows what she'll be like as a teenager !! what age r they usually when they become a teenager ?

sarah
x

Doggy Kevins start at roughly 6 months and end at roughly 18 months to 2 years depending on breed and individual.