My labrador always runs off to meet other dogs?

Question

When I am walking my labrador and he sees another dog, he will run after it. If he is on the lead he will pull to try and "say hello". I know he just wants to play and greet the other dog, as he is not agressive. However, sometimes the other dog is not as friendly and will try to attack him, and then my dog retaliates. How can I get him to listen to me instead of running off, or pulling, to meet another dog? He does have the opportunity to meet other dogs, he has several "friends", and most of the time I will let him interact. But I would like it to be on my terms NOT his. He is castrated.

Answer 1

So many dog owners have these problem and there is always a worry that if you don't get a handle on it your dog will eventually get hurt but another dog. Here are some tips I used with my Rhodesian Ridgeback - reknowed chasers and headstrong dogs (he isn't castrated):

1) beat him to spotting the other dog and get him under control before he sees it. ONce he sees it - you have already lost control because you know he won't respond to you. When you see a dog in the distance, put him on the lead or hold his collar until you are out of sight again.

2) make yourself more interesting. Take a load of great toys and treats on the walk and keep his attention on you with those things. Practice getting his attention on you when there are no other dogs around and when you walk past dogs with him on the lead. You will have to overdo it for a while until he becomes more reliable - really make a huge fuss of him and give him treats as he passes by another dog on the lead.

3) When he makes a break for it and you know he won't come back, don't shout his name and get cross because he will just ignore you and make you look like a fool. Instead, amble over to him in your own time and only when you get really close, make an effort to get hold of him. As soon as you have hold of him, however long it takes, praise him and give him a treat. Get his attention and then move away. If you can't get his attention on you because of the other dog then wait for the other dog and owner to move away out of sight and make your dog wait still/down/sit. Don't let him run around again until he is calm and focussed on you again. Use treats liberally for anything he does well!

4) If poss, don't put him on the lead or he may come to avoid being caught! If you see a situation turn a bit nasty between your dog and another dog, try not to get involved. Instead, turn the other way and start walking firmly away - calling your dog with authority and a strong bossy voice. Eventually, he should turn tail and leave the confrontation to follow you. If he does, this is great progress because it means he has had to follow your direction when meeting other dogs. It will back up the other lessons you are trying to teach him - give him treats and lots of praise again!!

Good luck!

Answer 2

Your right it should be on your terms and not your dogs.I suggest getting a halti which works in the same way a horses headcollar works.You have total control over his head and it really does work wonders for dogs that pull,when you feel you have more control over him you can start training him to heel.Make sure your walks are really fun,take something that your dog is obsessed with i.e a faveourite toy or food,when you see another dog in the distance offer him this favourite thing,it has to be before he's seen the other dog.For a few weeks go somewere where you know there isn't many other dogs so that you can train him to focus on you with this faveourite thing.You dont say how old he is but dogs going through adolecence commonly exhibit this behaviour,i have a 16month old entire dog who started doing this when he was about 8months old,we are now finally getting somewere,he walks to heel most of the time with or without his halti and if we spot a dog in the distance before him we bring out his faveourite toy and have a game with him.Keep reinforcing his training esp his recall and heelwork.Good luck.

Answer 3

As with most behavior problems they can be corrected or prevented by going to obedience classes. Your dog should be reliable with all the basic command which includes "heeling". Then you can teach advanced commands such as "leave it". I'm not in favor in using the halti or a prong collar unless nothing else works. It is much better to teach the dog commands than to have to use a special device to control the dog. You will want your dog to obey commands when it is off leash right? This is how your dog should be after training. You are walking it and another dog approaches, your dog does not break the "heel" command. As you pass the other dog your dog leans its head in the direction of the other dog and sniffs, it does not break the "heel". You just firmly give it the command "leave it" and it does even if the the other dog wants to sniff back. Nice huh? Makes walking a pleasure. You can teach your dog to "wait" at street corners or "stop" if you want to stop and read something or tie your shoe. I like the "stop" command because it is to stop the dog when walking and you don't want to put it into a "sit and stay"

Answer 4

NEVER allow your dog to greet another dog when on his leash, especially if the other dog is on a leash too.

Many dogs, even sweet ones, have leash aggression. They are limited in their freedom and become aggressive. Therefore, do NOT allow this to happen. The odd thing is that once the dogs are off-leash, they are great with each other. I've seen this myself, and trainers around the world will warn you of leash aggression.

The second part is that you have to be in better control when walking your dog. You must ALWAYS lead. Always! If your dog starts to pull toward an area, he must be corrected. He should properly walk by your side (a heel command) until you release him to freely sniff or relieve himself.

This requires obedience training. You can go to a class to be taught, or you can try on your own if you have patience and know how to do it. I recommend getting a prong collar. Have a person show you how to properly use it and attach it to your dog (say at a PetCo or PetSmart). The prong collar, when used properly, simulates a "nip" that an alpha dog would give to a subordinate. You are that alpha - and when your dog doesn't behave properly, you give him a "nip" with the collar (by pulling the leash, and saying "heel" in a firm, authoritative voice). This will teach your dog that he is to walk with you, not pull, not drag you, etc. It will take some work, so I recommend walking him, at first, in areas without dogs. Get him used to the "heel" command. Then later, when you are walking, when he sees a dog, give the leash a pull (so he feels a "nip") and say "heel". He should stay by your side. Allow the other dog to pass (do not let that other dog greet your dog - regardless of how "friendly" the owner of that other dog claims he is), then continue to walk.

If you want your dog to play with other dogs, I recommend finding an off-leash dog park in your area.

Good luck!

Answer 5

My labrador is 12 now and I have had this problem all his life. He goes charging up to other dogs and then stops dead once he is there and sniffs at them and wants to play but sometimes he frightens the dog he has run up to and they show aggression which of course he responds to. He has only ever been in 1 small fight when he was a puppy and he came off worse. BUT I just keep walking (with my eye on what is going on) and keep saying this way this way and when he realises I am leaving him he runs to me and then I give him a treat. He doesn't run up to every dog but it is something I have never managed to stop but at least I can get him away from the situation if it doesn't look too good. I think most dog owners understand, but you do get one or two who think your dog is terrible for charging up to theirs.

Answer 6

A well-trained dog makes everyone happy, including his owner. Take a little time training him, and you'll never regret it; you'll always have an obedient dog by your side. Find more https://tr.im/Dfcir

By their nature, dogs are pack animals with a well-defined social order. Through basic training, you need to consistently make sure your puppy understands that you are the leader, not him. So in teaching him the basic rules, you take on the role of pack leader.

To fit into the family circle, your dog must be taught to recognize his name and such commands as come, heel, lie down and sit.

Answer 7

a great dogs for this standards may be a rescue ex-racing greyhound! they only want a 15 minute stroll two times an afternoon, regardless of uncomplicated concept that they are crammed with capability, my greyhound sleeps like 20 hours an afternoon haha. they are great with little ones, plus because of the fact that they are age 2 or 3 once you undertake them, you may choose a dogs with the character you require. they don't shed and have not have been given any undercoat so are great for those with hypersensitive reactions or bronchial asthma. My greyhound is the ideal puppy and the main affectionate dogs i've got ever met, i actually inspire you to contemplate giving an ex-racer a 2d possibility at existence :)

Answer 8

Spend some time alone with your dog every day. Call his name and when he comes, give him a treat. Turn it into a game, everytime you call, he gets a treat.
Have some fun with him, make time spent with you much more fun than being with other dogs.
In a very short time, you should be able to recall your dog immediately. Do let him play with other dogs though.

Answer 9

Well Shona, dogs are pack animals and they will always take the opportunity to interact with another Mutt. The best thing is to show him who is boss. Firm but fair, keep him on a lead when in unfamiliar territory, when he attempts to run of just pull back on the lead. It's mostly common sense. reward when good Chastise when bad. Dogs are pretty smart and he will soon get the idea. I had a peek at your profile, welcome to yahoo answers.

Answer 10

Get your dog to sit to greet dogs and people. I have my dog in training at Petsmart he is in Advanced Class now. Some of the other dogs think he is being rude in his greeting and they will get upset.