walking in the front and in the way

[sr900400@gmail.com]

Hi all, first time poster here. My wife and I got a rescue puppy from our local pound a few weeks ago and although they said he was 13 months old, he still has a LOT of puppy in him. We are not new to dog owning but quite new to training. Brownie is a shepherd mix and we think he has some bloodhound in him. My problem is this: when we walk around the house, the dog is always in front of us looking back every so often, I presume, to make sure that we are still there. The problem is, it slows him down and we are constantly being held up. I have heard the term following me around like a puppy and now I understand what it means, he is always under foot. Does this seem normal? Is there a way I can break him of it?

Thanks, Scott

[MaxHollyNoah]

Hi there,

I personally think it is a good thing that your puppy looks back every so often to make sure you are there, rather than just taking off and doesn't mind about you.

I assume your dog is leashed. If you think he is worried about you are not following him, why don't you just keep talking to him like "Good boy, puppy (your dog's name). Good job, lets keep going!" etc. This way, your puppy knows you are with him.

You can also train him "loose leash walking", which is to walk without pulling, and you can teach him to go fast "Hurry!" and slow "Easy" so that he can change the speed of walk.

He was from the pound so it will take some time for him to rebuild his confidence and becomes comfortable in his new environments. I am sure he will learn to walk nicely with you and your wife not too long. It is the time to give him clear instructions on everything, including the boundaries within the house, etc., not to mention more socialization to people and other dogs.

Good luck

[sr900400@gmail.com]

Thanks for the reply, no this happens in the house when he is not on the leash. Outside we have no such problem. It just seems that he is always underfoot or just walking slow around the house sometimes tripping us up. I have gotten in the habit if walking straight ahead and moving him out of the way with my legs as I walk but he doesn't seem to get the hint. Well, maybe he'll grow out of it.

Oh and my wife just got on me for spelling his name wrong. It's Browny.

[MaxHollyNoah]

OK. This happens inside the house. Now, I have an idea.

Why don't you have him "Wait" at a spot and you walk wherever you need to go within the house and call him out loud. It will be a great practice for "Wait" and "Come!" and you won't need to trip over him

[sr900400@gmail.com]

I'll give that a try.