My lab is 14 months old, very playful and good natured. On walks when he's off the lead and spots another dog or group of dogs he seems to want to go and play. I'm telling him 'No' but gets so excited and goes off. He never used to do it as bad as he does now. How can I stop this? Any help would be grateful.
Wufus
My lab is 14 months old, very playful and good natured. On walks when he's off the lead and spots another dog or group of dogs he seems to want to go and play. I'm telling him 'No' but gets so excited and goes off. He never used to do it as bad as he does now. How can I stop this? Any help would be grateful.
I let Tatze play whenever it's practical - if it's not I recall her and put her on the lead.
That way other dogs are not often 'forbidden fruit'.
That way other dogs are not often 'forbidden fruit'.
My Alfie is the exact same, has good recall without dogs, but when a dog comes along, he's determined to go and play and won't listen to a word I say.
I've tried loads of things to distract him etc, but he still loves dogs.
I've resorted to not letting him off lead when I can see other dog (or putting him back on lead when I see another dog) because I know some owners don't like him running up to theirs and wanting to play. But usually with other dogs off lead, I'll let Alfie say hello and if he owner is ok with it, I'll let him off to play. That way he gets his playing without upsetting any owners.
I'm also at a loss to what I can do about it.
I've tried loads of things to distract him etc, but he still loves dogs.
I've resorted to not letting him off lead when I can see other dog (or putting him back on lead when I see another dog) because I know some owners don't like him running up to theirs and wanting to play. But usually with other dogs off lead, I'll let Alfie say hello and if he owner is ok with it, I'll let him off to play. That way he gets his playing without upsetting any owners.
I'm also at a loss to what I can do about it.
Does he ever get to play with other dogs? Cooper always got to play with other dogs and puppies of all breeds, sizes, ages, and now they just aren't that special (or the forbidden fruit as Boogs said).
Or is there a reason why you don't want him to play with other dogs?
Do you play with him too? Not just throwing the ball for him, but actually getting in there, playing tug of war, chasing him or getting him to chase you? Dogs are fun and they love to play so perhaps you can try being more fun than the other dogs so your pup learns to play with you.
Other than that, if you really don't want him to play, then put him on lead before he even sees the other dogs and practice your recall until you know that he will come back whether there are dogs around or not.
Or is there a reason why you don't want him to play with other dogs?
Do you play with him too? Not just throwing the ball for him, but actually getting in there, playing tug of war, chasing him or getting him to chase you? Dogs are fun and they love to play so perhaps you can try being more fun than the other dogs so your pup learns to play with you.
Other than that, if you really don't want him to play, then put him on lead before he even sees the other dogs and practice your recall until you know that he will come back whether there are dogs around or not.
I had this with Bruce . What I did was if other dogs were off lead I let him go over to them . I went back to basics with recall training and I started using higher value treats every time he came back . I also spent more time playing with him while out on a walk and more training rather than just walking to make myself more fun . Good luck
Claire x
Claire x
Honey 3 and half. is ok on the 5 acres (fenced). But when she is out in the Toyota and sees people or dogs etc, she gets excited and wants to get to them. When she is on the lead to have wees, she will not go at all, All she wants to do is pull very hard on the lead and go after anything she sees. I must admit she doesn't get to mix with other dogs or people (only visitors) as we live in the bush and the nearest towns are 25 and 60 kms away. So she hasn't had any 'puppy training'. It is so hard to keep her from pulling me over.
yes - "Total Recall" book Pippa Mattinson- this needs to be built up very gradually ie recall from one quiet boring dog a long way away with your dog on long line etc - big rewards -
and manage the behaviour by avoiding situations while you are doing above training.
treasure your recall cue - its sooo precious - invest lots of training time in it !!!
and manage the behaviour by avoiding situations while you are doing above training.
treasure your recall cue - its sooo precious - invest lots of training time in it !!!
We have the same issue with our 18 month male Labrador.
My wife and I have been working through "Total Recall" by Pippa, it is a fantastic book and we have made some great progress.
It still just depends on the day now though, if he sees some other dogs chasing balls or a rabbit runs in front of him, no matter how hard we have worked on the recall he will chase, the hunting instinct is in the dog and it is their nature to chase anything running away from them!
I think in time I could get to a position where he wouldn't run off but I am going to have to invest a huge amount of time and my wife does enjoy his 'free spirit' she doesn't want him to be 'afraid' to run to other dogs or to not want to play, as he does enjoy it
On a walk without other dogs he will always return, lay at a far and stay, he is great.
When we go to a park with other dogs or a beach we just come to accept he wants to play, he is young and he wants to chase and I think within reason we shall always allow this.
My wife and I have been working through "Total Recall" by Pippa, it is a fantastic book and we have made some great progress.
It still just depends on the day now though, if he sees some other dogs chasing balls or a rabbit runs in front of him, no matter how hard we have worked on the recall he will chase, the hunting instinct is in the dog and it is their nature to chase anything running away from them!
I think in time I could get to a position where he wouldn't run off but I am going to have to invest a huge amount of time and my wife does enjoy his 'free spirit' she doesn't want him to be 'afraid' to run to other dogs or to not want to play, as he does enjoy it
On a walk without other dogs he will always return, lay at a far and stay, he is great.
When we go to a park with other dogs or a beach we just come to accept he wants to play, he is young and he wants to chase and I think within reason we shall always allow this.
Oh boy am I glad to read this - I thought it was just us and I'd done something wrong in the training! The OP could be describing Oscar - also 14 months. I frequently get compliments on how well trained he is, but as soon as he sees a potential playmate, he's off and totally ignores me. He does get playtime as my friend has a Gt Dane who he has regular loopy-time visits with - see pic below. He looks TINY next to Bo! We also take him to the beach and the dog-swim area of the Cleethorpes Country Park lake and let him run free with others. It makes no difference - his desire to romp is immense.
Attachments
Here is a link to Total Recall - really worth following. I'm on my third pup to use it - the first two have 100% recall 
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Total-Recal...on/dp/1846891493/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1437312333&sr=8-3&keywords=total+recall
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Total-Recal...on/dp/1846891493/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1437312333&sr=8-3&keywords=total+recall
I am so happy that I've read this - I thought we had done something wrong with training!
Our oldest puppy, Stark, is SO well behaved in the house but as soon as we leave the house everyone he sees (especially children and other dogs!) he thinks are his best friends. Literally, I think he is saying, ' I don't know you but I love you and I want to lick your face!'
I am at a complete loss at what to do, tried so much! He is only 9 months, I am hoping he is going to grow out of it....
Our oldest puppy, Stark, is SO well behaved in the house but as soon as we leave the house everyone he sees (especially children and other dogs!) he thinks are his best friends. Literally, I think he is saying, ' I don't know you but I love you and I want to lick your face!'
I am at a complete loss at what to do, tried so much! He is only 9 months, I am hoping he is going to grow out of it....
Don't just wait for him to "grow out of it", find a good trainer to work with and break the habit as soon as possible. He's still got a lot of growing to do and with adolescence kicking in very soon it is likely to get worse rather than better.
Using treats or distractions and making him sit or wait for permission before he greets someone will be a start. Good impulse control will save you a lot of problems in the future (something I am now paying for very dearly!).
Using treats or distractions and making him sit or wait for permission before he greets someone will be a start. Good impulse control will save you a lot of problems in the future (something I am now paying for very dearly!).
I am fortunate that my two dogs are not in the least bit interested in running up to other dogs and playing with them. It makes for much easier walks HOWEVER I get a bit hacked off with owners of dogs that cannot/do not recall their dogs away from mine. I have nothing against a quick sniff and move on but neither of my dogs like continual pestering from other dogs to play with them. I have had to ask owners to recall their dogs away from mine as I see my girls getting stressed about the other dog. Recall is so important in those situations, as it's no good me putting my dog on the lead if the other dog is jumping all over her as it makes her a sitting target. I usually end up getting the collar of the other dog and handing it over to the owner, so I now carry a spare lead!
Chloe
Chloe
Leo is extremely bright, learning to sit the same day we had him and could give paw and lay down within one week. Far brighter than our previous two labs. But recall was never his strong point. You could offer him all of the best treats in the world, but once he latched onto another dog he was gone.
At 9 months of age whilst my mum was walking him, he was attacked by a Doberman and now has a scar on his nose. The owner knew that he dog was dangerous as she shouted to my mum, yet it was off the lead and not muzzled. The owner ran off and I wasn't there to give chase. This still didn't change Leo and he was as gregarious and friendly as ever. Something needed to change.
I was desperate and needed to reign him in, for his own safety and our constant worry. I bought a spray collar, which you control with a small remote and it sprays out a jet of harmless citronella, which startles them more than anything. These can get bad reviews but I think that's because people don't time the stimulus correctly; with conditioning timing is crucial. There's a window where you could see him thinking about whether to run or return, for maybe 2 seconds, then he was gone. If he ignored me and didn't return immediately, he'd get a spray BEFORE he ran off. Once they're running and that dopamine surge in their brain is going full-tilt, it's too late. It has absolutely worked wonders for me in a short space of time, to the point where I no longer require a lead at all and no longer use the collar. I tried everything prior to that; the collar gave me a degree of control again. It is so much more rewarding walking him without worry now. He is still eager as ever to socialise, however he now only does so when I have allowed him to. I'll ask the owner of the other dog if they're friendly and if they can play; if they say yes I'll say "Go on then!" and he'll go bounding off to greet them. People comment on how well behaved he is now.
I would recommend it when all other methods have been exhausted, and it's far from Draconian.
At 9 months of age whilst my mum was walking him, he was attacked by a Doberman and now has a scar on his nose. The owner knew that he dog was dangerous as she shouted to my mum, yet it was off the lead and not muzzled. The owner ran off and I wasn't there to give chase. This still didn't change Leo and he was as gregarious and friendly as ever. Something needed to change.
I was desperate and needed to reign him in, for his own safety and our constant worry. I bought a spray collar, which you control with a small remote and it sprays out a jet of harmless citronella, which startles them more than anything. These can get bad reviews but I think that's because people don't time the stimulus correctly; with conditioning timing is crucial. There's a window where you could see him thinking about whether to run or return, for maybe 2 seconds, then he was gone. If he ignored me and didn't return immediately, he'd get a spray BEFORE he ran off. Once they're running and that dopamine surge in their brain is going full-tilt, it's too late. It has absolutely worked wonders for me in a short space of time, to the point where I no longer require a lead at all and no longer use the collar. I tried everything prior to that; the collar gave me a degree of control again. It is so much more rewarding walking him without worry now. He is still eager as ever to socialise, however he now only does so when I have allowed him to. I'll ask the owner of the other dog if they're friendly and if they can play; if they say yes I'll say "Go on then!" and he'll go bounding off to greet them. People comment on how well behaved he is now.
I would recommend it when all other methods have been exhausted, and it's far from Draconian.
Some interesting reading here, thanks all. Our boy is about two and a half and does exactly the same thing. In the house, or when we're alone and not distracted, his recall is perfect.
But once there's a bin, or a dog, or something generally more interesting, there's just no point me shouting his name. I'm really really struggling with it. He's just such an excitable dog I can't see it getting much better... we've had him about 18 months now and he was a rescue. When we got him, his lead walking, socialising, behaviour in general etc were just dire. Whoever had him before obviously didn't bother, and I'm struggling.
I've done all the "start in the house" and "start close then extend the distance" "use treats" etc - it all works fine until a distraction comes along. I'll keep trying though.
But once there's a bin, or a dog, or something generally more interesting, there's just no point me shouting his name. I'm really really struggling with it. He's just such an excitable dog I can't see it getting much better... we've had him about 18 months now and he was a rescue. When we got him, his lead walking, socialising, behaviour in general etc were just dire. Whoever had him before obviously didn't bother, and I'm struggling.
I've done all the "start in the house" and "start close then extend the distance" "use treats" etc - it all works fine until a distraction comes along. I'll keep trying though.
recall
partly an age thing they turn into teenagers who want to test us my lab had the same problem but i kept practicing recalls with roast chicken warm and lots of short 100yd recalls asked some other dog owners to help by letting them play together then recall mine i hid behind a tree about 3 times that helped a lot as milly is desperate to be with me at all time
partly an age thing they turn into teenagers who want to test us my lab had the same problem but i kept practicing recalls with roast chicken warm and lots of short 100yd recalls asked some other dog owners to help by letting them play together then recall mine i hid behind a tree about 3 times that helped a lot as milly is desperate to be with me at all time
recall
dont give up if you try some things on this thread hope some will work i had exactly the same got my lab from someone else and her recall was good but when she got to about a year she started running away but if you still have problems gundog trainer may help they start with basic obedience good luck
dont give up if you try some things on this thread hope some will work i had exactly the same got my lab from someone else and her recall was good but when she got to about a year she started running away but if you still have problems gundog trainer may help they start with basic obedience good luck
There was an almost identical question on a thread yesterday. Rather than repeat myself have a read of it and my post at the bottom.
http://www.labradorforums.co.uk/27-training/124217-ever-too-late.html
Regards, John
http://www.labradorforums.co.uk/27-training/124217-ever-too-late.html
Regards, John
Our first Dog was a Labrador, he was attacked by a Mastiff when he went off to say hello to it.
Our 3rd Dog is a 6 month old Red Fox Labrador, we take him to training, he has good recall there & I have taken him onto an enclosed field where he came back to me when I shouted, I gave him sausage then let him go off again, once again before putting the lead on.
Apart from the dogs at training he hasn't played with other dogs off his lead this I think is mainly due to me & my confidence, will he come back if I shout him?
I was with our Dog when he was attacked & I wouldn't want to go through it again . But I also know the only way I will know is to let him go & hope he comes back before he gets to a dog that doesn't want to play 😳
Our 3rd Dog is a 6 month old Red Fox Labrador, we take him to training, he has good recall there & I have taken him onto an enclosed field where he came back to me when I shouted, I gave him sausage then let him go off again, once again before putting the lead on.
Apart from the dogs at training he hasn't played with other dogs off his lead this I think is mainly due to me & my confidence, will he come back if I shout him?
I was with our Dog when he was attacked & I wouldn't want to go through it again . But I also know the only way I will know is to let him go & hope he comes back before he gets to a dog that doesn't want to play 😳
If you dont want your dog playing with other dogs, thats not really a problem. People who work their dogs want the dogs to concentrate on the job in hand, not rushing off to play with every dog they see. Your aim should be to make the area around you the most interesting place to be. Doing things with your dog rather than just wandering along with your dog left to amuse it's self. All sorts of training are good as far as your dog is concerned because it's something you do together.
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