Merlin is now after loads of hard work quite obedient, (unusuall for a beagle). His recall is great and other than following me everywhere all the time he is really well behaved. (i cant pee without him). I have noticed though that when my OH comes for a walk with us he is really naughty. Yesterday he ran away across 2 fields before we caught him and that was because he had been busy investigated a scent. My OH says when they are home alone he steals from everywhere, Sides tables etc and wants my OH to chase him, something i learnt not to do ages ago. He is not like this with me, on the odd occassion he has i say no and he drops it. My OH gives him loads of attention and they play quite a lot. Is this a result of too much attention as OH has always dropped everything for him if he wants to play. The stealing is obviously attention seeking, or is he like this towards him because i do everything for him? It has got to a point where i would rather take him out on my own as he has a better walk and play and he is well behaved. After 5 mins when OH is there he is on lead as he has done a runner. I like OH to come as its a nice way to communicate whilst getting some excersize and i find walking the dog really relaxing. Any ideas on why he is like this and how to stop him? Incidently if we are all home together he is good, it is only while we are out and if im not home.

Hasn't Merlin taught your OH well ;) Yes, it sounds like your OH has been doing everything wrong, in a nice way. He needs to go back to basics with him before it gets out of hand. He has to ignore him (in the house to start with) until HE is ready to speak to Merlin. At feed times get OH to feed him, but to wait for his food until OH allows it. Start off for only a second or to and build it up for a little while. Little things like this will make Merlin rethink his place, and will come to realise that he has to obey OH. Do you use a whistle when out? I find that my dogs listen to a whistle, but when I forget it (silly me) they don't pay the blindest bit of attention

Stann, I hate to say it but my kids are like this :(  they listen to me but often play up for OH - he isn't as consistent with them as I am and often only 'puts his foot down' when he's fed up, rather than when they start misbehaving ;)  They always try it on when we're all out together because of this :rolleyes: 

Sometimes it's harder to train the family than the dog

On the part of his leaving you on the walks, I have noticed a bit of this with our Lab.  I'm the usual sole walker and she stays close.  When DH is with us she is apt to get further away.  I have always wondered if she thinks it is her duty to watch over me and when DH is with us she figures he can do it?  Or maybe she is an opportunist and knows I am distracted by him?