How would you tackle this?

[Peter7917]

Eight month old GSD X BC puppy. She is socialised. She goes with a dog sitter 2-3 times a week, meets new dogs, plays etc with no problem at all. Out on a walk if she is off lead she is fine, leaves other dogs when told, comes to call, doesn't bother any livestock and we literally go straight through the middle of sheep, cows, pigs, ponies etc.

On a lead however is a different story. She lunges at other dogs, barking like a loon, hackles up. If I raise my voice at her then she will quieten down a touch but will whimper. Its like a mixture between frustration, excitement and anxiety.

Ive tried treats, keeping her focused on a treat instead but it just doesn't work. She will catch the eye of the dog and lose the plot. Its just so bizarre when shes such a sociable creature when we go walking with friends. I know if I let go of her (obviously I wouldn't) when shes going loony, then she would just run over, greet the other dog, albeit she is a bit bossy on first greeting, then come straight back.

Im just unsure what other methods to try with her..

 

[SusieT]

What is dogsitter doing wehn she meets other dogs? I would be taking my high value treats with me, spinning round and walking the other way (pulling her with me if necessary) until she is far enough away to focus and reward for paying attention to me- hopefully eventually she would learn that the instant you turn the 'focus' on the other dogs needs to go.

 

[TheresaW]

We have a 4yo Border Collie that we’ve had since Feb. He is exactly the same as yours on lead, but is a dream off lead. We can’t have him off lead around my horses as his herding instinct kicks in (he did some work before we got him), and I guess he would be the same around other livestock. We can’t even walk him with our other dog when on lead as he lunges at her the whole time, or attack’s the lead.
We have got him in a harness now, he had a slip lead when we got him, and when we are out and about, if we see other dogs off lead we leave him off, but if other dogs are put on lead, I will pop his on, and he will now wait quietly until they have passed. We have also bought a flexi lead which I use on him in my horses field as we need to get him comfortable on it. We are off to Scotland in a few months where there will be livestock and need to keep them and him safe.

 

[Peter7917]

I did think maybe a head halter may be a good idea to have a little more control so I can whip her round easier instead of getting stuck in a tug of war with her. Ill up the treat value and see if that makes a difference.

 

[Peter7917]

Dog sitter uses her ball, however still has a low success rate.

 

[CorvusCorax]

It sounds like stress from the lead pressure/feeling of tension/restriction. A harness might suit better and teaching her pressure and release.

I don't use treats, I use food from the dogs daily allowance, train when hungry and the dog must work for food. If you keep upping the treat stakes, food has little value.

 

[SusieT]

My big concern would be is dog sitter perpetuating it - in my exeprience few are set up to 'train' dogs - could you engage a behaviourist to train him for the period dog sitter would normally have him for a few months? My feeling would be if you don't get it nipped in the bud soon he is going to get bigger and bolshier - and you working away may not work if dog sitter is not equally able. Yes- more control i.e. a halti or similar may work and the highest value reward you have. And practice at home wiht no distractions first so he has the idea.

 

[PapaverFollis]

It's barrier frustration essentially. She's going nuts because she wants to get to the dog and can't and it spills over into a frustrated aggression display. Distance is your friend. When she's on lead do not let her get close enough to cause the emotional overspill. Keep at a distance where she will readily accept treats. You need to teach her to disengage and focus on you instead. Personally I would stop all excitable play with other dogs as it is probably making other dogs too valuable to her. You need to start small. Figure out the distance at which the other dog first catches her attention but she hasn't absolutely locked on. Lure her to look at you and reward heavily then run away from the other dog. You need to observe her carefully and be ready to reward the slightest glance towards you if she offers it before you lure her away. Teach her that looking away from stuff she values and looking at you is rewarding in other circumstances. E.g lock a sausage inside a dog crate and wait for her to look at you, without asking her to look at you, then open the door... so she has to go through you for the valuable thing. Work up to getting her to come away from the crate door and do a behaviour (sit) before you open it. Think about getting her to have to go through you for access to as many valuable things as you can.

My absolute first step would be ensuring that she doesn't get to practice the on lead behaviour by keeping distance or get really into any high adrenalin off-lead play with other dogs! They can become addicted to other dogs basically so you need to rehab her from that a bit!