Taffyhorse
Well-Known Member
Hi All,
I'm looking for some advice here so would be great to here from you...
Basically, off lead, Freddie is great - good recall, good heelwork, sit, down, stay etc. When we meet other dogs off lead he is also fine - he won't walk past without paying them any attention at all if we are directly face to face but its generally woof, sniff, walk on.
However, when he's on the lead, its a bit of a different story... A lot of the tracks where we walk are quite narrow as its mainly woodland. If we meet another dog, his attention becomes wholly focussed on them and he will lunge at them - this has been interesting as A) he's a pretty big dog and B) everwhere is filthy muddy at the moment which has led to some water-skiing moments!! Sometimes he barks or growls (although its not a proper growl more like chest rumbling if that makes sense) and he will show his teeth if he is close enough. He has never bitten whilst on (or off) the lead but he definitely feels more vulnerable/protective on lead. His heelwork is also not as good on the lead - off lead, he will walk directly at or behind my heel - on the lead he wants to be in front.
I have tried just changing direction, stopping, getting him to sit and generally trying to get his attention focussed on me and although he has improved a lot, I still feel there is a way to go. I know you're not supposed to hang onto the lead but when he lunges like that, I don't feel like I have another choice at the moment! I try and keep calm, keep breathing, don't tense, make a fuss or raise my voice. I have tried say no firmly, paying no attention and walking straight past but he still wants to get to the other dog. We have booked into our local dog obedience classes but they don't have any vacancies until June.
Bit of background - he's a 3 yr (coming 4) Border Collie who we got last Feb. No bits (thankfully!) and a typical Alpha male!
Any advice gratefully received - thanks
I'm looking for some advice here so would be great to here from you...
Basically, off lead, Freddie is great - good recall, good heelwork, sit, down, stay etc. When we meet other dogs off lead he is also fine - he won't walk past without paying them any attention at all if we are directly face to face but its generally woof, sniff, walk on.
However, when he's on the lead, its a bit of a different story... A lot of the tracks where we walk are quite narrow as its mainly woodland. If we meet another dog, his attention becomes wholly focussed on them and he will lunge at them - this has been interesting as A) he's a pretty big dog and B) everwhere is filthy muddy at the moment which has led to some water-skiing moments!! Sometimes he barks or growls (although its not a proper growl more like chest rumbling if that makes sense) and he will show his teeth if he is close enough. He has never bitten whilst on (or off) the lead but he definitely feels more vulnerable/protective on lead. His heelwork is also not as good on the lead - off lead, he will walk directly at or behind my heel - on the lead he wants to be in front.
I have tried just changing direction, stopping, getting him to sit and generally trying to get his attention focussed on me and although he has improved a lot, I still feel there is a way to go. I know you're not supposed to hang onto the lead but when he lunges like that, I don't feel like I have another choice at the moment! I try and keep calm, keep breathing, don't tense, make a fuss or raise my voice. I have tried say no firmly, paying no attention and walking straight past but he still wants to get to the other dog. We have booked into our local dog obedience classes but they don't have any vacancies until June.
Bit of background - he's a 3 yr (coming 4) Border Collie who we got last Feb. No bits (thankfully!) and a typical Alpha male!
Any advice gratefully received - thanks