Early on, I did a lot of training with my little guy (now 7 months) because he was extremely eager and caught on so quick. I trained the basics and trained some tricks just for mental enrichment whenever it was a crappy day. Everyday we do some form of "review" training on important skills (stay, leave it, etc.) and maybe one or two from his list of tricks. Never more than a few minutes.
Since he had so many commands down, I didn't really try to teach him anything new for a while, but a few weeks ago I tried an another skill just because it was a super rainy day and he hates rain. He sorta was following along, but then would lay down on his back almost asking for a belly rub or hide behind my legs. It seemed he wasn't feeling it, so I stopped. Well this week, we've been cooped inside because it's a sheet of ice outside, so I attempted a new skill again just for some mental enrichment and I'm getting the same response everyday. He engages one time and then the next time, he lays down on his back, hides behind my legs, or goes in his playpen. His vibe almost seems fearful, but he's never ever been in the slightest bit of trouble when training. He always gets so much praise, treats, and pets. He was even hesitant to take the treat. If I try to go over a skill he's learned, he jumps right at it, so it seems that it's only with new skills.
It's not the end of the world at all that he doesn't want to learn to back up or play dead, but I don't understand this change in behavior and worry what it means long-term if he shuts down.
submitted by /u/Remarkable_Love_1433
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