If only my dog was gentle

977 Views 6 Replies 5 Participants Last post by WheatieMom, Aug 21, 2012

Setayharas

Discussion Starter · Aug 16, 2012

So we have had our puppy for 6 months now. And he's adorable so gentle and friendly with everyone who visits. Couldn't ask for a better puppy except for one problem.

When we are out for walks and he sees another dog he gets so excited. He's manageable until the dog comes over for a sniff and that's it he's jumping at the dog tail wagging basically going mad. Don't get me wrong he's not aggressive he never barks grows or tries to bite he just wants to play. But it's getting embarrassing when the other dog is calm and friendly and my dog is like a maniac tryin to get to it.

What I really want to know is, is there something I can do to train him out of this so tht when we do meet another dog in the street we aren't fighting to stop him knocking the other dog over( he's a bassett hound cross so has some weight behind him)

Will he grow out of this as he matures?

It'd be nice to say hello to other dog owners Inthe park without the worry my dog is going to be just too playful.

Any suggestions would be most appreciated

Thanks
Sarah

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SusanAndMax

· #2 · Aug 16, 2012

Hi Sarah,

This is actually a good thing. He sees other dogs as something positive and rewarding. The thing is that you say that you are struggling to keep him with you when there is another dog around, that is not something that should be tolerated and will only build because he ends up being rewarded for this behavior, since he pulls on the leash and gets whats he wants which is to meet the other dog.

Try training your dog to stay calm when there are other dogs around, and make sure that you don't let him meet the other dog. If your dog is overly excited, then move away from the other dog until he can handle himself, then reward and slowly approach.

Please let me know if I can be of more help or if you need clearer instructions.

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Setayharas

Discussion Starter · #3 · Aug 17, 2012

Hey thanks for the reply. When we got him we were told he was very skittish and scared of other dogs and puppies so everydog we would see we would let him meet in order to socialise him. Maybe that's part of the reason. He's getting better at walking by a dog in the street, it's mainly if another dogs off the lead and comes near him. I'll keep uP the correcting an walking away.

Thanks x

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Amaryllis

· #4 · Aug 17, 2012

DO NOT correct a dog for excitedly greeting another dog. The dog is very likely to learn that other dogs = correction, therefore I should fear/hate other dogs.

Figure out what it is you want the dog to do instead. Do you want him to look at you? Sit calmly? Whatever it is, train him that. Start at home, without the distractions of outside. Once you have it perfect at home, move outside, but without other dogs. Work your way up to perfecting the behavior with other dogs present.

We have a sticky in this forum or the training forum on loose leash walking. You should train that, too. You can also use a front clip harness to help with pulling.

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Setayharas

Discussion Starter · #5 · Aug 17, 2012

Sorry when I said I correcting I meant correcting the behaviour by making him sit until he calms enough to greet. or if he doesn't we walk him the other direction. It sometimes felt like a loosing battle and that perhaps this os was the wrong way to go about things. Sorry if I miss led u. We have got him a harness and thanks to the lessons we have been too he has got the hang of the loose lead walking until this moment.

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hanksimon

· #6 · Aug 19, 2012

Another thing to also try is play socialization. He's an adolescent, so he wants to play and hasn't learned canine etiquette, yet. Try to find him some dogs that have the same energy that he has. Labs and boxers are usually good for this. After a few weeks of playing with high energy dogs, introduce him to some young adults that may play with him and reprimand him, if he gets out of control. Finally, introduce him to young seniors that might play with him or might tell him off, "go away boy, you bother me!" snarking, without getting overly aggressive. You'll need well-socialized dogs for this.

In this way, your dog may learn a wide variety of social skills that will supplement his loose leash training.

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WheatieMom

· #7 · Aug 21, 2012

hanksimon said:
Another thing to also try is play socialization. He's an adolescent, so he wants to play and hasn't learned canine etiquette, yet. Try to find him some dogs that have the same energy that he has. Labs and boxers are usually good for this. After a few weeks of playing with high energy dogs, introduce him to some young adults that may play with him and reprimand him, if he gets out of control. Finally, introduce him to young seniors that might play with him or might tell him off, "go away boy, you bother me!" snarking, without getting overly aggressive. You'll need well-socialized dogs for this.

In this way, your dog may learn a wide variety of social skills that will supplement his loose leash training.

I second this advice! I have an adolescent wheaten terrier with a ton of energy that, at this point, loves other dogs way more than listening to me! The best thing we have done for him is take him to doggie daycare. This particular daycare does not kennel the dogs at any point in the day, instead they all roam around one another and play. It's been great for my dog, as he has been around dogs of all ages and learned lessons on how to play and not play.

I've also noticed an increase in his attention level when we are around other dogs in different settings (obedience class, walks, etc). I am hoping that with increased socialization, playing with dogs won't be such a novelty that he has to freak out for! So, if you can get into a doggie daycare, even just once a week, I think that would help you!

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