recall when with another dog

S

SplashofSoy

Well-Known Member
Joined
5 July 2010
Messages
964
Visit site
My 4 month old lakeland terrier pup is fantastic in all respects with his training including recall when there are no dogs around. He is off lead on most of his walks as soon as we are away from any roads and if there is only me or other people around then his recall is 100% and immediate. He always gets a treat and praise for coming back and is called periodically throughout the walk and sent off to play again. He always stays pretty close and constantly checks to see where I am etc.

My problem is other dogs. He just thinks that every dog whether on or off lead wants to play with him. If I spot the dog i can sit him and with watch me command keep his attention until the dog passes and we carry on but i do want him to be able to play with other dogs off lead. The problem is that once he has greeted them he wants to play even if they dont. The other dog may happily follow its owner in the other direction and my pup just follows, ignoring me!. The other walker ends up standing still whilst i retrieve the pup to allow them to carry on, they have usually been friendly and understanding and i always apologise. He never runs away from me when i go to get him.

Not sure how to deal with situations as nothing gets his attention. We have just started puppy training classes so will also ask trainer on Saturday.

Sorry its a bit long but any tips would be appreciated.
 
He's only 4months and new friends are going to be more fun. Just perserver. Dylan 5 months, does it but says hi and has started coming back, be prepared to make a fool of your self to look more interesting. I find jumping up Nd down sqeeking a Kong tennis ball shouting "whatsoever this Dylan, come on then" :)
 
Toffee44 said:
shouting "whatsoever this Dylan, come on then" :)
Click to expand...

Sorry, but that gave me a mental image that made me chuckle :D

OP - Does your pup get regular opportunities for uninterrupted off-lead play with other dogs? Just thinking that if he gets his 'play fix' elsewhere he might be less inclined to ditch you when another dog appears on a walk.

Other than that I guess you just have to keep working on the recall training as you have been. Classes should help because there will be other dogs around to act as a distraction during training. :)
 
Cor, 4 months and decent recall ? So jealous!

The legging off to play with other dogs sounds very familiar, mine improved when I started taking him to the park on a regular basis.

I realised that we never really saw many other dogs out on walks so they were bound to be far more interesting than me!

The park has so many dogs that the novelty wore off a bit and it dawned on him that he could go and say hello and there would still be more play-time after that

We wont dwell on the four-paw ninja greeting he thought an elderly couple would 'enjoy'-thats next on the list
 
Don't make him sit, keep moving, do heelwork, tease him with a ball, do something FUN to distract him. Imagine it from his point of view, it's actually increasing the tension and likelihood to tank off and have fun with a potential buddy. Sitting and watching you won't be as fun, doing heelwork, keeping busy, getting treats, playing with a ball, much more fun.
Agree that he can have time offlead in a controlled atmosphere with other dogs, so that walkies isn't the only place he meets others.
At training we paired up with longlines, and one person or person with a dog 'tempted' my dog, if he didn't respond to voice I could give the line a tug, he would return, loads of praise, and vice versa for the other person and their dog.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top