How to Stop My Lab from Running off to meet other dogs?

[Dog Photographer]

HI,

I am hoping somebody can give me some tips on how to stop my four year old Lab running off after other dogs when out for a walk. When we are out for a walk 80% of the time he sees another dog he will run over and say hello, have a sniff around and then come back. He is not aggressive in anyway but obviously some people especially with smaller dogs get very upset.

Its even more of a problem as we have just taken on a 12 month old lab and I dont want him learning this from him. he does normally come back on the whistle every time its just him being over friendly.

Also,when he does retrun what do I do? as I am concerned that by telling him off will have the opposite effect to what i want to achieve. An age old problem I know and completely my fault!!, just looking fro any advice that might help him be a bit more steady when out and about.

Many thanks
Andy

[paul spaniel]

keep him on the lead or teach them to walk to heal off lead ??

[Muirdubh]

HI,

I am hoping somebody can give me some tips on how to stop my four year old Lab running off after other dogs when out for a walk. When we are out for a walk 80% of the time he sees another dog he will run over and say hello, have a sniff around and then come back. He is not aggressive in anyway but obviously some people especially with smaller dogs get very upset.

As Paul said... Control access by using a leash. I'm assuming this is quite a young dog?

Its even more of a problem as we have just taken on a 12 month old lab and I dont want him learning this from him. he does normally come back on the whistle every time its just him being over friendly.

Also,when he does retrun what do I do? as I am concerned that by telling him off will have the opposite effect to what i want to achieve. An age old problem I know and completely my fault!!, just looking fro any advice that might help him be a bit more steady when out and about.

Never ever tell a dog off for coming back to you... It will have the opposite effect...

Control the dogs access by using a leash, allow a 'sniff, sniff' but make the coming away from the other dog more rewarding than going to the other dog... And/or... Train impulse control (leave it).

[NikkiD]

I would say this is essentially a recall problem, which needs to be worked on.

Not a problem specific to Gundogs but all dogs will do this if allowed. Either do what the others say and put him on a lead when there are other dogs around, or work on your recall, heel work and general manners, using treats, praise and toys to motivate him.

At the moment it appears that what is happening *out there* is more interesting than you so your dog is not motivated to hang around whe there is other stuff going on

Any behaviourist could help you with this (again doesnt have to be gundog specific). Punishing a dog when it does return is a definate no.no.

[Dog Photographer]

Thanks Guys much appreciated, It definately seems as if he is interested in the other dog/s more than me so appreciate I need to keep his interest. I will definately work on the recall work and try to try and work on his steadiness. WHen he is in a training group he is fine , its just on walks out he wants to make friends with everydog he can!!.
Thanks again
Andy

[NikkiD]

If you are open minded to clicker training that can help in situations like this because it teaches the dog to make the right decision himself, rather than becoming just another "recall exercise"

Dog notices other dogs, looks at you, click, tasy treat. Lather rinse repeat. It works after a while.

[paul spaniel]

this is basic stuff guys and should be taught at an early age..

[Lloyd90]

I had the same problem when mine was younger! I taught it to sit on the whistle. Soon as it see's another dog blow the stop whistle! If he ignores it take him by the scruff and take him back to the exact spot you blew the whistle and sit him and blow the whistle as you sit him!


I did this and is sorted mine out! You don't need to be rough or hit or man handle the dog. Just firmly take him back and sit him on the spot! Then you can recall him to you! Its much easier to recall a dog once you have stopped it!

[mustogirl]

I would say this is essentially a recall problem, which needs to be worked on.

Not a problem specific to Gundogs but all dogs will do this if allowed. Either do what the others say and put him on a lead when there are other dogs around, or work on your recall, heel work and general manners, using treats, praise and toys to motivate him.

At the moment it appears that what is happening *out there* is more interesting than you so your dog is not motivated to hang around whe there is other stuff going on

Any behaviourist could help you with this (again doesnt have to be gundog specific). Punishing a dog when it does return is a definate no.no.

I would echo what Nikki said. Its all about what motivates him and basically in a nutshell you have to make yourself more interesting than that dog over there.
If you have to bring out a better toy / ball / whatever, then do that.

I also find (as my dog used to bogoff) walking the opposite direction makes my dog want to follow me not wherever he was heading!

When he does recall back to you, play with him close by or give him lots of fuss (if you have to be silly, and say stuff like 'oh, you're a good boy arent you??' do this!)

I personally dont like when other dogs run up to my dog as there are so many daft owners out there (and i'm not saying you're one of them) that have aggressive dogs that seem to have a go at my dog when they run up to him.
I also walk my dog at the crack of dawn purely to avoid all these owners (plus the peace & quiet is nice!).


Good luck and let us know how you get on!

[Dog Photographer]

Thanks fro all your replies and i will keep you posted. Had a good training session today, lots of fussing when he returned and a bagfull of cheese which of course helped but tried him again tonight for a few mins without the Cheese treats and he was much steadier (dont want him putting on that much weight he cant run anyway!!)
All sound advice and much appreciated!! Thank you for all your help!!
Andy