So JD will be 4 in August, and Bandit will be 7 months in a few weeks. They have all sorts of extra energy because we haven't been walking them mostly due to Bandit's gimp. We tried, but he was much more lame after and I figured it just wasn't worth the risk.
They play rather rough together in the house *well everywhere they can really*
Anyway, I'm having some difficulty with both of them. JD for the last little while is pulling this "I'll listen when I feel like it" attitude. If he's asked to lay down "Down" he looks at you like "yeah yeah" and I often have to get up and put him in a lay down (just by using pressure....poke/push his bum to make him sit, and then point to the floor) He's pretty good about most things. But this is one that's driving me crazy lately.
And this one is totally my fault, it was never something that was taught and reinforced because he didn't bark much alone, and was only really vocal when we were playing. Now that Bandit is here and they are playing together he's VERY vocal. Grumbles and groans and growls as they play. I've been trying very hard to teach "Quiet" meaning-Stop making noise now. But I can't help but wonder if I'm doing something wrong. I'm espically trying to teach Quiet, because with the baby coming I dont' want them barking uncontrollably (not that I want them to without the baby around) Bandit is the serious instigater (sp) for barking. He feels that he MUST bark at anything that could POTENTIALLY move outside. And heaven forbid if it is moving! I tell them "quiet" firmly and praise praise praise when they do, but shy of getting up and moving them both out of the window it doesn't seem like we're getting anywhere.
Does anyone have any suggestions for me? I'm not fed up....they really are good dogs. I jsut want them to be better dogs and not a PITA to anyone my neighbours included 