Can't walk off lead

[Chinchi]

Shelby sounds exactly like Darla. Other people and dogs are more of a reward than sausages and even cheese to her!

Do you think it's possible to over socialise a dog making it overly friendly like this? I'm glad Darla is friendly and not timid, but wish she was a bit more in between the two extremes. I'm not giving up though, I will still carry on with the training as you never know!

 

[dblock]

Beau is a typical Sheltie, very standoffish with other dogs, However, I don't believe those other dogs were being aggressive, I think they were telling her to stay out of their personal space.

I get really, really , really get frustrated with the same dog owners who allow their dogs off lead in non off lead areas,( And to whom, I've let know not to let their dogs approach) Beau has been jumped by so-called friendly dogs so many times its' not funny and its funny because all the owners who allow their friendly dogs off leash, never ever ask me permission to allow their dog to approach.

I had one dog owner who walks their dogs off lead in a city setting, (completely ridiculous) I was crossing a two lane street east/west, north/South and this idiot thought it would be funny to tell his dog to come over and bite me. When the police came, I cussed his rear end out, because I'm quite sure that had I'd been a man he would have never dared to do that because he wouldn't have know whether or not I would have kicked him in the rear end.


I would just like to add that if you do let your dog off lead please only do this in appropriate areas. what bothers me is when the same people allow their dogs off lead in parks with kids in them, totally irresponsible and my biggest pet peeve, dangerous for dogs and kids

Sorry for the rant

 

[Caro]

It's not unusual for a young dog to be overly exciited around other dogs, it is something they tend to grow out of so I wouldn't worry too much. But it is important to keep your dog restrained - she's at that age she loses her 'puppy licence' with older dogs and you may find older dogs start snapping at her when she's being too much. Usually it won't end upp in a fight but you don't want to risk it.

maybe you could turn heel and walk away if you see a dog coming up that you don't think the owner will stop. As your dog's guardian it is also up to you to remove her from a situation you don't want her in. I know it looks rude but your first priority is training your pup.

 

[labgirl]

Personally, having experienced a genuine dog attack on Cadbury, I prefer to have my boys off lead when they are meeting other dogs.

This may sound counter-intuitive, but when a dog is on lead it cannot get away from an attacking dog, also they tend to be more prone to exhibiting over-excited behaviour that irritates other dogs.

For instance, when a dog pulls towards another dog, no matter how friendly they are, the action of pulling tightens the lead and pulls on the collar, resulting in pulling back on a dog's face and making them appear to be baring their teeth - this is why such a dog is often snapped at by other dogs, even though it is non-aggressive.

Dogs, such as Cadbury, feel very vulnerable when meeting other dogs on lead because they feel they cannot escape, often this is made worse by owners keeping the lead tight, causing more tension for the dog - and yes, I have done this and still sometimes do and invariably it makes Cadbury grumble at another dog.

You don't have to have your pup completely off lead, but what about a short trailing lead? That way she can go and greet a friendly dog with you able to take control if you need to?

Merlin is very dog-friendly, though not so much people. He was off lead at 10 weeks and he did have a nasty incident when a GSD, lurcher and labrador trampled him. I have always taught him, however, to come to me and go behind me if he is worried about other dogs. This works very well and the other week in the park when Cadbury was playing with a lab and dalmation Merlin was watching, but kept coming back to me when he worried they were getting too rough.

And he does still do the kangaroo hop on the lead when he sees a 'friend' or a dog he really really wants to meet, yet let him off and he is actually a very gentle greeter and not in-yer-face at all.