just too friendly!

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shadowboy

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Nanook loves other dogs, totally adores them. You can see it in his face, he just wants to make friends, and does his little play dance. Problem is he's massive- 40kg massive and obviously this can be scary for owners and pooches alike. It's really hard to walk him anywhere off lead now as sometimes I don't see the other dog before him and by then he's scooped off to say hello. I can recall him if he's closer to me than them and once he's said hello he will leave again. in all other respects he recalls fab. But I can call him back once he's seen them and started to run over, its like its too late. he's never ever nasty but he's big so its pike a wolf running over. I've tried lunge lines and find he forgets he's attached and starts running and I get jolted or slip over, plus I think the more he doesn't meet dogs the worse he gets. so if I keep him away from others he gets more excited the following walk. treats do not work. What's my best option or what should I be doing with him?
 
Take him to a good training class or walk with a big group so you can proof him with other dogs...if the only place he gets to meet other dogs is out on a walk then of course they will be more exciting and a bigger draw than you are.
Treats will work better if he is hungry when you walk him. Also sharpen up your observational skills so you can 'catch' him before he is off and running.
Definitely do not keep him away from other dogs, as you say it will make them an even bigger novelty.
Do toys or balls do anything for him?
 
He loves toys but not as much as other dogs! I think its because tassy doesn't play anymore he seeks play with others. Will try and find a training class that starts after 6pm which was why we pulled out of previous classes as I had to sort out the horse. Thanks for the hunger tip!
 
My older GSD is the same weight, but is all legs! And trust me, no one wants him belting up to them either :(

Training classes are better in the beginning for this sort of thing as you are not using complete strangers' dogs as guinea pigs, we did start on lunge lines with a variety of tempations - other dogs, bikes, cars, joggers, people leaping about like loonies :o lots of recalls, feed the dog as part of the exercise and then refined it and refined it.
He's still young and teenaged if I am not mistaken, I am sure you will get through it, and don't forget he is not a breed inclined to recall well, in the nicest possible way :)
 
I can sympathise as my dog is exactly the same but luckily not so big and a lab. Although he is getting better all the time and we are lucky in that we meet loads of dogs and owners who love to see them play, as I take him out with the horse the more obedience the better!

I have therefore booked him into a special off lead training group at a local indoor arena, designed specifically for off lead training and recall skills. We start soon so will update on how we get on.
 
Sounds like a good class Burtie :)

Sorry to be a doom monger and I do love to see dogs play and I always do ask permission first - but it is a good thing to get a handle on in case a friendly dog runs up to a not so friendly dog who is on a lead etc and might get defensive....my big dog does not like other dogs and will grizzle at boisterous ones who run up to him, friendly as they may be.

(Don't mean to open a can of worms as I realise the subject has been done to death on here)
 
My little dog would certainly not be happy to have a big dog bounding over to him - and I have the opposite problem in I can't allow him to go up to other dogs because he can be a bit grumpy. I've learnt my lesson on this and unless I know the other dog, aim to speak to the owner first to check their dog will be OK.

BUT...his recall is spot on 99% of the time, and despite this if there are 'hazards' around he stays on his lead and away from others. I guess what I am saying is, until you can crack the recall, err on the side of caution and keep him on lead around unknown dogs until you've asked permission from the owner. This means you need to keep a look out and react before he does.

I don't know what age/type he is, but I wonder if a good off lead agility class might help with his focus? Also, is there a super dooper treat he can't resist...something smelly ideally? If so, associate it with a word or a whistle and use it for recall (we taught our dog that whistle = sausage). Might a squeaky toy do the trick?
 
Will defo try to crack it and yes CC he is a teenager. 18months today actually! My issue is we walk in areas with high hedges and lots of gates opening onto the same fields so people cam some in and out without you noticing. It's a country park so free from livestock but with safe fencing hence perfect dog walking. I do try to put him in lead when I spot someone but its a very popular place so I feel like a yoyo plus sometime people appear round the corner before I've seen them but him being a dog smells them first! Treats work if he's closer to me than them, otherwise he's not bothered smelly or not. I'm looking up classes at the moment and left various messages on answerphones so fingers crossed we will sort it, but yes he's a breed you can never guarantee will come back hence why we walk at this particular park as its 50acres split into 6 stockproof meadows.
 
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