Hi,

We've had our 10wk old Springer/Patterdale mix Molly for just over a week
now and training is going pretty well so far, except that my partner is
finding it hard to get her to listen to him. I'm a stay-at-home mum so I'm
with her all day and while she doesn't *always* come when called I can
usually get her attention and we're working on basic Sit-stay and Down
commands already, with moderate success. My partner works and therefore
only gets to spend time with her of an evening/weekend, which is typically
the busiest time in our house.

I understand that consistency is the key here but despite my partner using
the same key-words for commands, she just doesn't respond to him as readily
as she does with me. They have bonded and she's quite happy to come to him
of her own free will for a cuddle etc. It's frustrating us both, he wants
to be a part of her training too, but she'll only take commands from me.

We're in the UK, she's not being crate-trained, and as she won't have
completed her course of vaccinations for another fortnight it puts
walks/puppy socialisation classes out for the next few weeks. Are we
worrying unnecessarily, do you think? Is she likely to develop more of a
bond with my partner over time? I've suggested he takes her round our
garden on the leash, but unfortunately she sees that as a great game and
gets overexcited, the leash is just another toy for her Sorry if these
questions seem like I'm worrying a lot, it's been fifteen years since my
last pup and my partner's only ever had adult rescue dogs.

On another note, I've been looking into getting her into a puppy class as
soon as she's finished her course of jabs. We're in South Yorkshire and I
was wondering if anyone else was from nearby (I know the majority of posters
are US-based but you never know) and could give me some advice on a good
local trainer or know of any local lists/forums where I could get some info?

Thanks, Angie