Danny is as mad as a hatter....especially when it comes to other dogs. He's really happy to run off into the distance on seeing another dog, with no cares in the world. As Carroll has said we now use a combination of a flexi-lead and a long-line, depending on whether we're going to do "serious" training when out walking.
Danny is not bothered about me when he sees other dogs and will happily go with the person with the other dog... leaving me behind (in fact he did this at the GT last Sunday)
Danny also likes people, not quite as much, but he will still run after children so as they can play with him...again the flexi-lead now sorts that
Unfortunately, and I'm sure the more experienced owners will say the same, its a matter of time, patience and repetitiveness getting a dog trained - once they has "mastered" a command, you still have to practice this, or they'll forget/ignore etc. I've also found it best to reward the good behaviour, I always take treats on walks and give them to Danny when he's done something I've asked him to, i.e. sat when another dog has passed, on recall etc.
Although I don't want Danny to be a complete tear away all his life, I accept some of the boisterous behaviour as "being a lab"...and wouldn't want to take this away from him.
No you are not alone.....this seems to be a common problem, especially with young Labs. I think it stems from the fact that they are very intelligent and sociable dogs.
At 1 year old, your dog hasn't even finished growing yet, let alone growing up . Also I feel with such an intelligent breed, training is a lifelong thing not just a 5 min wonder, so at a year old you have barely touched the surface of your dogs potential.
So looking at your problem ; what do you do when your dog runs off to play, or even when you see another dog and you think/know he's about to run off????? Do you put him on a lead before it can go and play? Do you stand and call him and wait for him to come back, then put him on a lead? If so, how boring for him. Or do you do something really exciting; pull a ball out of your pocket or a tuggy and invite him to a game? Or get his attention with a really nice treat, like a piece of cheese? Can you see what I'm geting at? Are you more exciting to be with, than the dog in the distance??? Or are you just going to take him away from all the fun?
If you look at it from his view, when he meets another dog he gets to have fun and games, so if you want him to be with you you have to be more interesting.
Also does your dog get to play with other dogs on a regular basis? Labradors, especially, love the company of other dogs. Perhaps he would be less desperate to get to all the other dogs if he had some regular doggy playtime.
Don't despair of him yet, he is still really young. I'm sure you'll find, if you make yourself the centre of his world and you start seeing things from his point of view, you'll soon get your partnership back on track .
Good tips Jules! I always carry a tennis ball when we know there's the potential for Joey to be distracted and it works a treat!
Also I like your ideas Becs - can you elaborate on how to teach these?
Sorry to jump on this thread but we've been doing the same training session for months (it involves sit, stay, heel, lie down, paw and roll over) and we need something new!
Jansen is 6 months & sounds very similair to yours, when we go to school he gets so excited sometimes when Im sat down he pulls my chair across the floor.
when were are out on walks, he runs over to people & wants to play.
i really have to be stern with him if he spots another dog I start shouting him & run in the opposite direction, which normally works.
a 20 minutes walk normally takes half an hour as we are trying to do the heel work propeerly well I am Jansen is trying to pull my arm.
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leaving me behind (in fact he did this at the GT last Sunday)
. Also I feel with such an intelligent breed, training is a lifelong thing not just a 5 min wonder, so at a year old you have barely touched the surface of your dogs potential.
