my 25 kg collie x hound dog barks and pulls when he sees another dog any suggestions?

Question

i have tried :turning round (he walks backwards), treats (ignored), distractions(see treats), using a check chain(passers by tell me i'm being cruel even though he just tried jumping over them to get to his canine* "friend"), a tap across the "lower" back (see check chain) and making him sit. he has a harness and a halti which gives me something to grab when he starts. some people have said to just let him off of the lead but as he wont answer to his name and is a dominant dog who will get into fights so i will not try that also when someone tells me i'm being cruel i need a reply to let them know he usually gets hugs when we get home.

Answer 1

Dont use hitting (as some have suggested!). First get enrolled in a good socialisation class. Perhaps consider seeing a behaviourist to help with techniques. One I have found useful with my ex racing greyhounds (who tend to be very wary of non greyhounds) is the shake bottle technique. Put some gravel in a 500ml soft drink bottle. Tighten top well!!!! At home, when dog does something wrong, shake the bottle hard and say NO very firmly. When the dog stops the behaviour give loads of fuss and praise. When the dog is used to the shake-no-stop routine use it outside with the behaviour with other dogs. It is very effective but must be used every time, so always have the bottle close to hand;

Answer 2

Go and see an accredited dog trainer. Each case is unique. You have to look at each individual dogs history. It all stems from poor socialisation as a puppy. The dog is a pack animal, it simply sees that it is unsure of its status when out walking. It wants to bark/greet other dogs but is unsure how to. It is also thinking that it is pack leader and therefore has to defend you.
Castrate him as soon as poss.
Make sure he knows his place in the home. Don't feed him from the table, feed him after you eat. Feed him dog food only. Don't let him go through doorways before you. Don't let him on the furniture, especially the bed. Give him his own space, ideally a crate that he can go in to and be left alone their if he chooses so.
Don't use a check chain, they can cause injury, stick to the head halti and lead on collar. Use both to have better safety control.
Always reward good behaviour (not necc with a treat all the time, a quick pat on the head will do) and always ignore bad behaviour (unless life threatening)
Consistence is vital. All members of the family must stick to the plans.

Answer 3

1. A choke collar is probably the only answer, applied very firmly (but be sure you put it on the right way round.).
2 If he is a dominant dog, WHY? You MUST establish your position in the pack FROM DAY ONE!!!! as Alpha male/Female.
3 If He is an entire male, castration may help.
4 If he won't even answer to his name, then you need some serious obedience training (or rather he does!). Most places have dog training schools, see your local paper or yellow pages.
5 If he's that badly behaved, why are you giving him hugs when you get home? Dogs respond to the "carrot and stick" treatment. By rewarding him you are only reinforcing his behaviour!
6 Any properly trained dog can be safely let off the lead in the presence of other dogs. We once had a Staffordshire Bull Terrier Cross, properly trained, who we never had one problem with. Other dogs he ignored, or if he showed interest, on command he returned to us. Bear in mind that the Staffie Bull is a breed of
fighting dog!!!
7 Going back to point 4, I think you probably need the training, more than your dog. There is no such thing as a bad dog, only a bad owner.

Answer 4

My GSD does that, when I see another dog approaching i keep telling him No, No, No. If I feel by the pull on the lead that he is going to start I make him sit till the other dog has passed, then praise him. Obviously if he does start I tell him off.

Answer 5

socialisation classes.
my dalmatian is EXACTLY the same.
it's not your fault, or nothing you've done, it's just that some dogs need that little bit extra.
my dog is booked in to start a 6 week course on the 9th Jan.
good luck.
xxx

Answer 6

Carry a rolled up newspaper when hestarts to perform just tap him on the nose just a sharp tap . thisdogs do not like eventually we will associate the tap on the nose comes with what he likesdoing. and although it will take some time it will stop .When you tap him just say his name sharply ,if he stops what hes doing at all plenty of fuss no treats and when hes particularly bad no hugs when he gets home totally ignore him.
your dog is playing you dont let him win

Answer 7

The only method of training that has worked for me ( and I have tried them all ) is strict obedience on the lead. Once you have cracked that you are most of the way there.

Answer 8

if your dog wont answer to his name, he hasn't been trained, if he hasn't been trained how is he to know his behaviour is wrong? you need to go to a training class and put the hours in with him. no dog is untrainable, its down to you.

Answer 9

hey i have a golden...
and when he barks at another dog we spray him with water...
then u look him in the eyes and say BAD BOY/GIRL!!!!

Answer 10

please please read a training book by Jan Fennell she has a completely different was to train dogs, mostly by making them know that you are the alfa (Top dog)