[tashab]

Hello! Our dog, Shadow is a great dog. he's really quiet, doesn't mark in the apartment, and is great on walks.... until he sees another dog. He's not aggressive, he just gets so excited because he wants to play. He's our only dog, and the cats really aren't up to playing with him.

Since we live in an apartment, we don't have a backyard, which means he gets 4-5 walks a day, about an hour each time. He doesn't lunge at people, isn't really interested. But when he sees another dog, he tugs, and when he gets close, he's so excited he hops around on his hind legs and ends up strangling himself.

how can I discourage this?

 

[spotted nikes]

Teach him to sit/stay on command.

I'd also teach him to come when called, and then consider taking him to a friend's house, that has a friendly dog and fenced yard for play dates. Or maybe a dog park during quieter times.

 

[TooneyDogs]

You're getting too close. You teach that self control (sit/calmness) from a distance...well before he goes ballistic. It's almost impossible do any training when he gets that close.

 

[bambee]

I agree, you must teach him the sit command before he get near to other dogs.

 

[Darkmoon]

What I do Is as soon as the dog starts to strain to get to the other dog, I turn say "lets go" and walk to oppsite direction that I was walking. Walk that way for a few steps, then do a sit/stay. Reward the pup after the dog passes then go on your way. The key to it is to actually put your dog into a sit/stay BEFORE he reacts to the dog.

 

[kpollard]

I agree with the sit/stay, plus with Teddy I make sure to always have his favorite treats on me. Then, when he sees another dog I tell him to sit, show him the treat--and his attention is immediately focused on me.

Good luck!

 

[tashab]

You're getting too close. You teach that self control (sit/calmness) from a distance...well before he goes ballistic. It's almost impossible do any training when he gets that close.

I don't approach the dogs if I can help it, I meant when we're walking, and another dog comes around the corner right when we're almost there, or comes out of a building we're walking by, etc. It's not intentional.

Thanks everyone!

 

[Westhighlander]

I don't approach the dogs if I can help it, I meant when we're walking, and another dog comes around the corner right when we're almost there, or comes out of a building we're walking by, etc. It's not intentional.

Thanks everyone!

Yes but you can only train when it is intentional so when the unintentional happens -training takes over. In other words, train when you control the situation.