Advice please - overly excited when meeting new dogs

[spotter]

we accquired 'snoop' 2 weeks ago, he is a 14 month old lab/rotty/hound cross, he has had some basic training from his previous owners. he is settling in very well and learning very quickly. the only problem is when we encounter other dogs on our walks he goes a bit loopy, not aggressive as such, just pulls on the lead and jumps around excitedly on his hinds. ive tried distracting him with toys and food treats but he takes no notice and is overcome by tunnel vision. im pretty sure he just wants to play but he can be a bit boisterous. we begin an 8 week training course once a week in march. any ideas? thanks in advance:)

[nancy]

Hi, I have a rescued rotti bitch 8 months and like that she wants to play with other dogs all the time so I met a verry nice lady with a big friendly black Lab.,as she had just finnished her walk we met up another day and she assured me they would be fine. Well he took all her nonsence for about 15mins put her in her place and now when we go out she is always looking for sam, we walk them together most days and it is teaching her to come back to as we both use a dog whistle. Hope this is of some help.

[spotter]

many thanks, this morning snoop met 3 new dogs in 'the park walking club'. their owners were very nice and accomadating of him. once he had said hello to the others he settled down quite nicely, i just think he needs more socilization.

[nancy]

Hi Spotter, i'm sure Snoop will settle down fine once he gets used to meeting other dogs but is'nt it a lot easier when they are off the lead. Breagh my rotti pulls like mad when she sees a dog so now i make her sit with her lead on untill the owner and dog reach us and if it is friendly then I let her off to play but it can be embarassing if she is off and spots the other dog first and wont come back i'm working on this at the moment. Any advice?

[Doberman's]

I let her off to play but it can be embarassing if she is off and spots the other dog first and wont come back i'm working on this at the moment. Any advice?

Yes, a very long lead, say 15-20 ft long. Let the dog go and then pull the dog back in when your dog hits the end of the lead. Make sure you call the dogs name and say COME. You will more then likely have to do this a few times but it does work as long as you are consistent. Praise like mad when the dog comes back.

The other option you have is a Electronic collar. If you get one that is expensive then you will not hurt you dog. I use one when horseback riding with my dogs. I relaly like them but you have to knw what you are doing with them because if you don't you could hurt the dog. Mine cost about 550.00 $.It was one of the best investments I have made :):)

[nancy]

Thanks I will try the long lead for a couple of weeks and I will let you know how we get on. Nancy

[spotter]

were still doing recall training as snoops previous owners did only a little, he's ok but easily distracted and will only respond to treats. ive let him off the lead twice and he has just wondered off sniffing everything he can! i read spraying perfume under the nose before we walk can stop the sniffing but it didnt work:( , and just seems to recall when 'he' feels like it....training continues!:)

[nancy]

I find Breagh my pup comes back to the dog whistle easier than she does to calling her fotunately the lady with Sam the big black Lab we go out with also uses the whistle so when they are running together if one of us blow the whistle they both come back. I'm sure she is getting the hang of it for she decided to play chase with some deer in the wood this morning and after 3or4 good blasts and a few shouts she came bounding happily back I made such a fuss of her. So if you could find someone with an older dog that comes back to walk him with a few times he should start following and comming back with the older one.

[Garry88]

my dog did a 1 day training course and the ppl that trained her said to keep ur dog on ur left side and DONT let them run or get in front of u, shes a big sook when we r home but if we go away she gets all viscious and when we go for walks she does as shes told if i tell her to sit she does it, if i tell her to stop she does it, its just the way u train them and u SHOULDNT bribr them with treats or anything as they think they get one all the time even when u dont tke them for a walk, thats just my advise

[Onyx]

Potter,

You need to set your rules. When you walk on a leash, if you don't want your dog do pull on the leash, then don't tollerate it. He pulls, do a 180 and go the other way. When your at a park and he's behaving (remember, if you can't control your dog on a 6 foot leash, you'll never control him on a 25 foot leash.), always have a 25 foot leash on him so he can't ignore you.

Let's say he's smelling a bush, and you call his name, and he doesn't even look at you, then you pick up the long line(leash), call his name again and do a pop (which is you pull on it to get his attention), when he looks at you.. RUN AWAY! then when he catches you give him a treat, a toy or whatever he wants, but the goal is for him to pay attention to you, and to think that you are WAY MORE FUN than a lousy bush.

Do this consistenly and you'll see results.

[nancy]

Come on Spotter we are waiting to hear how Snoop is getting on. Nancy

[Doberman's]

Come on Spotter we are waiting to hear how Snoop is getting on. Nancy


Yes, we are !!! :D

Nancy, how is your dog doing? Any luck ?:confused: :)

[spotter]

been working hard for a few days, and my wifes been admitted to hospital so i havent had a chance to read anyones advice till now. thanks everyone, i hope he finds me more interesting than a bush..haha

[nancy]

Hi Spotter, sorry to hear about your wife hope she is better soon,give her my regards. Nancy.

[spotter]

were doing well, i brought an extending/retractable lead today (8 metres), he loved it, he had freedom but he also recalled nearly everytime:eek: i ditched the edible treats in favor of jumping about like a lunatic:D im getting the hang of being firm/showing whose boss and praising him at the right times. im confident about thursdays training class now:)

[nancy]

Well done Spotter let us know how it goes.

[spotter]

doh, got the wrong week for training school, it starts next week!:o

[lassie]

LOL never mind , you've a few more days to practice now;)

[zoe08]

first I am sure you will learn a lot in the training class, I know I learned a lot in mine.

But I think a good idea is that when there is another dog you make him sit and wait to meet the other dog while being nice and sitting not jumping up and around. then after sitting nice meeting the dog, then let them play. It is a good habit to get into to make him sit when you stop. so if you ever stopped just to talk to a person or something he wont be pulling at you.

If you have problems with pulling, I would suggest a halti or gentle leader so when they pull it turns their head back towards you. I have a big problem getting my beagle to heal cuz she likes to follow her nose. I tried a halti at puppy school and will probably invest in one since warm weather is coming back around and we will be walking more.

Also when you are training your dog to come only use come when you have them on the leash and you can make them come. you dont want them to think they can get away with not coming ever. So when you tell him come, make him come sit at your feet if he wont. that way he learns everytime you say come he has to come.

[nancy]

I'm sure snoop will be top of the class in no time. He looks a smart little cookie.

[spotter]

I'm sure snoop will be top of the class in no time. He looks a smart little cookie.

he is, shame about his dad!:)

[spotter]

forgot to update...the little fella did me proud! compared to the others he was very well behaved and even obedient, i could tell he really enjoyed it, we both did!:)

[nancy]

It's a great feeling when our puppies show off and do what they are ment to Well done Snoop your dads sooo proud of you . Keep up the good work Spotter it seems to be paying rewards . Regards Nancy .

[lassie]

Great news well done to you both;)

[spotter]

unfortunately last nights 'dis-obedience' class didnt go so well:( there were a few new dogs that couldnt make it last week, snoop just wanted to play and have fun....oh well

[MrsRottie]

These things happen - don't worry about it :)

The main thing is that you're dedicated enough to your dog to a) recognise that there is a problem and b) do something about it.

Snoop will have to go through bad days to get to good days - once he's been surrounded by other dogs for a long enough period and regularly enough he'll realise that it's not such a big deal to have a playmate and be able to ignore them when you require him too.

My rottie Oz was exactly the same - he was almost obsessive about other dogs, if he even heard one he would shut his ears and go haring off. The problem with him is that he's blind, so other dogs perceive him as staring them out when in actual fact he's just trying to see, which in turn leads to aggression from the other party. Bizarre as it may seem, I got a puppy so that he had a playmate that understood him - she knows no different, it's just the way he is. Now under no circumstance am I saying that you should hotfoot out and get a pup. That was an easy option for me - and wouldn't suit everyone. The point I'm taking a long time to get to is that he'll get there in time, keep your chin up and don't get dis-heartened too easily.

One other thing I would say is that I know it can be downright embarrassing in some situations - you hollering at the dog, dog ignoring etc - I can't count the times I've tried to outrun Oz :rolleyes:(and failed LOL) but please don't give up and start avoiding other dogs - he needs to de-sensitise to them, therefore exposure is a must, avoiding it now will only make it worse in the long run.

Did that make any sense at all :confused: ;)

Best of Luck, let us know how you both get on.

PS - Snoop is GORGEOUS!!!!!

[spotter]

These things happen - don't worry about it :)

The main thing is that you're dedicated enough to your dog to a) recognise that there is a problem and b) do something about it.

Snoop will have to go through bad days to get to good days - once he's been surrounded by other dogs for a long enough period and regularly enough he'll realise that it's not such a big deal to have a playmate and be able to ignore them when you require him too.

My rottie Oz was exactly the same - he was almost obsessive about other dogs, if he even heard one he would shut his ears and go haring off. The problem with him is that he's blind, so other dogs perceive him as staring them out when in actual fact he's just trying to see, which in turn leads to aggression from the other party. Bizarre as it may seem, I got a puppy so that he had a playmate that understood him - she knows no different, it's just the way he is. Now under no circumstance am I saying that you should hotfoot out and get a pup. That was an easy option for me - and wouldn't suit everyone. The point I'm taking a long time to get to is that he'll get there in time, keep your chin up and don't get dis-heartened too easily.

One other thing I would say is that I know it can be downright embarrassing in some situations - you hollering at the dog, dog ignoring etc - I can't count the times I've tried to outrun Oz :rolleyes:(and failed LOL) but please don't give up and start avoiding other dogs - he needs to de-sensitise to them, therefore exposure is a must, avoiding it now will only make it worse in the long run.

Did that make any sense at all :confused

Best of Luck, let us know how you both get on.

PS - Snoop is GORGEOUS!!!!!


thnaks very much, reassurance to all my queries/fears:)

[lassie]

Hi yes we all have set backs, dont worry just persevere you will be great;)

[spotter]

my friend brought over his 8 month old lab(he's bigger than snoop!) today for a bit of socilization, after a few teething problems (excessive excitement on snoops part & jack the lab has been bitten by a stray before) they got on really well, although they never really settled down as such just ran around playing chase for 2 hours:) i think it was just what snoop needed to help him, and the fact that he's been asleep on the couch for a couple of hours:D

[nancy]

Hi Spotter , we all have bad days and just remember if snoop is having a naughty day he is giving someone else a break, we have all been there just have to smile tomorrow is another day. Keep up the good work. Nancy.

[ChipsDad]

Yes, a very long lead, say 15-20 ft long. Let the dog go and then pull the dog back in when your dog hits the end of the lead. Make sure you call the dogs name and say COME. You will more then likely have to do this a few times but it does work as long as you are consistent. Praise like mad when the dog comes back.

The other option you have is a Electronic collar. If you get one that is expensive then you will not hurt you dog. I use one when horseback riding with my dogs. I relaly like them but you have to knw what you are doing with them because if you don't you could hurt the dog. Mine cost about 550.00 $.It was one of the best investments I have made :):)


550? whoa... is it gold coated? they are here for $80
http://www.petco.com/Shop/Product.aspx?R=6973&PC=productlist&Nav=189&N=22%20129&sku=750840&familyID=9694&
maybe it is not as good as yours... but it seems that yours does just the trick!

I have started another thread here
http://www.dogforum.org/showthread.php?t=160

thanks

CD

[spotter]

does anyone have a definitive answer to what to do when snoop goes loopy if we see another dog when out walking? he doesnt get agreesive, just inquisitive and wants to play. he pulls on the lead like a mad thing! i dont want to turn the other way as i want him to socialize, he keeps pulling even if we go towards a dog we know, he just gets overly excited. he doesnt do it at dog classes. thanks

[Cheetah]

You don't have to turn the other way and keep going. Just turn around and walk the other way till he stops pulling, praise him, and then try walking towards the other dog again, praising until he pulls again, in which case, you'd repeat. >^^;<

Basically it's ignoring his rude pulling behavior and showing him that if he pulls and goes crazy that he's not going to get to play with that other dog... not till he calms down.

I had a problem similar 6 months ago when I got my dog back from my "wonderful" family. Only she was very aggressive on the leash... it was so embarrassing... >X.x;< Problem solved though.

[spotter]

You don't have to turn the other way and keep going. Just turn around and walk the other way till he stops pulling, praise him, and then try walking towards the other dog again, praising until he pulls again, in which case, you'd repeat. >^^;<

Basically it's ignoring his rude pulling behavior and showing him that if he pulls and goes crazy that he's not going to get to play with that other dog... not till he calms down.

I had a problem similar 6 months ago when I got my dog back from my "wonderful" family. Only she was very aggressive on the leash... it was so embarrassing... >X.x;< Problem solved though.

thanks cheetah, will try that one:)

[nancy]

I am getting a gentle leader for my puppy she is 9 months now and only time she pulls is to get to people to be petted or to other dogs to play but I have been told on good athourity that the gentle leader is the answer £10.00 well spent if it works.

[lapdog]

I had that problem. It was much better when I started using a prong collar for walks. Basically you have to communicate to your dog that anything and everything he is allowed to do is because you have given permission, including going to the bathroom. Its a total attitude thing. I walk her on a short lead and she does not sniff until I say so or go to the bathroom until I say so. If another dog approaches, she has to sit and cannot sniff unless I say so. If she gets out of hand when meeting another dog, she gets a leash pop and we move on. In the beginning, she would lunge at other dogs, now she is polite.

Try that for awhile and you will see in time, he'll get the idea. First get the walking thing down. He has to respect you and look to you for permission for everything. You even have to carry over that attutude in the house. No free rides. No eating, sitting on sofas, etc. until you give permission. Once that happens, you will have more control while out on lead. Eventually you can get rid of the prong collar, too.

[sandi]

Have you tried a haltie muzzle or darn, cannot think of it, it keeps the dog focused on you. Try a treat, also a no jump or pull halter.

[lapdog]

Try a prong collar. Mine was an absolute lunatic when other dogs would pass, but with the prong, she quickly learned her manners. Its not a torture device, but a very valuable tool. Rather than a choke, it delivers a pinch and is nothing more than a reminder to do what is asked. With any other collar, my dog would practically asphyxiate herself. With this, one or two corrections is all I ever need and she's fine. I don't know what I would have done without it. Now I never have to correct at all anymore.

[skippyandcookie]

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[sheplovr]

When teaching a dog must know the SIT command first and foremost. Place the dog at left knee is SIT comnand, have a bag of treats or pouch on your waist in training. Keep the dogs attention by keeping a treat in right hand and move foreward with heel or fuss command to walk only, keeping dogs attention to your right hand placed on more or less on the chest area. When it takes a quiet step forward at left knee looking for next command give a treat and keep walking slowly talking to pet to fuss or heel at left knee, do the stop or sit command. If it does this well it is fit for a treat only and praise, procede with training like this keeping the dogs eyes on the right hand with a treat to brieb the dog to continue on what your working on this is obedience....................