Ashling

I agree. I also don't want others coming up to my dog on our walks. We used to live in a lot busier area with people and dogs out walking and when he was a puppy and really cute it became ridiculous that I would look really angry at anyone looking at us just so they didn't come up. I think he was actually better when we lived there with it busier in ways but now we hardly ever run into dogs and when he sees one he generally will do that scream once or twice, like a tantrum, and try pulling me over to them but I haven't let him go all the way to them. I also tend to think that when someone tells me not to worry they are friendly to be more cautious. I've had that before and their dog has then growled or something. But the point I was trying to make is that my dog really is friendly and not at all aggressive, I know that but others don't and I also know NOT to say that. I just do want them to be reassured somehow if he is trying to get over to them so they don't look at us with such fear. Of course I don't want that to happen at all in the first place so we need to work at this much much more.

Thank you everyone. He has the 'look at me' down at home. I will definitely take it out to the driveway now then the path etc. That's a really good idea. He loves training. If I say the word to him he will become all serious and pay attention to me but that is inside. We definitely need to work on it outside where there are distractions. I decided to take him to a dog park this afternoon we'd never been to. I just told myself I'd check it out but we ended up going in because it was quiet. He was again excited while on leash but managed to pay attention to me to calm down before I let us walk to the gate. Once in he was very well mannered and such a good boy listening to me. He is great off leash, doesn't rush at dogs or anything. Just get a little nervous still about other dogs.

Thanks. I completely agree. I wouldn't want one approaching us either and I wouldn't let my boy approach one when he's being like that either or even if he was being super good. In no way was I going to let him go over there but it just upset me that the man looked at us like he was dangerous rather than just ignoring us or walking on or even laughing it off like often when you see dogs going all crazy. It just made me think more just how big and scary he could look to others. Really want to stop this behaviour so he doesn't come across that way. Again, he never pulls me all the way over to the other dog or even that close.

Thanks everyone. It was NOT an off leash area. It was a suburban street and I have seen this dog play outside the front of it's house and on the street alone before and have purposefully turned around to go the other way then. The man didn't even have a leash with him. I wasn't able to see them coming this time since it was around a bend. My dog hasn't had any formal obedience training but I'd like to do that. I did do clicker training but will work on it again in these situations. Maybe take him somewhere from a far where there are other dogs and get closer and closer. I like that idea of getting the dogs to walk by each other in training. We haven't had much of an opportunity to play with other dogs. No one I know has dogs and we haven't been to dog parks much. The few times we have, he's really good with other dogs, very polite and very submissive and happy. I get worried of other dogs too though because he wouldn't defend himself. When I took him as a pup we would always get jumped on by other dogs just when they saw him (not even when he was right next to them) so I became really scared to socialise him with other dogs for a while but he loves dogs so much and I think he just really needs to play with them regularly. I know what it's like being rushed at by other dogs so I definitely don't let my boy ever approach other dogs on walks unless the other person approaches us. This dog today didn't look scared. It looked happy to see us and was trying to get across the road to us but the man kept calling it back. It would go back then try to come over again (he had no leash) and did this repeatedly until he finally picked the dog up. Our dogs never got within a few metres of each other. I understand it looks scary to other dog walkers and sometimes their dogs and I don't want this to happen. I want to be able to just walk by nice and calm. I really don't want people to see him as scary because he is the most friendly and kind dog around to all. But the screaming has to stop and the pulling me like he did today. He doesn't pull anymore otherwise which is why he's no longer on a harness.

I have a very hard time getting him to focus on me at all when there is another dog (when he's on leash). I used training treats for a long time and that did help. I had to basically shove the treats into his mouth because he still wouldn't take his eyes off the other dog but did get a bit better after that. I found the best thing was to just not pay any attention to the other dog myself and just walk by. He is very well trained and well behaved but it's like he can't focus on anything else but to get to that other dog to say hi. I've tried a few different methods too and I just can't get him to focus on me at all when normally he would. I am thinking of getting a trainer for it because even though it's a lot better than what it has been, he's now walking just on his collar and I found it hard to hold him back today without his harness. I really wish we could get over this. He doesn't always do it. The other day we saw a little dog that was crazy excited to see us and my boy just sat there and waited like I told him to and for some reason his focus was on me then but generally it won't be. It might be the kind of dogs? It really upsets me that this happens sometimes.

On our walk today there was a man walking his smallish dog off leash. Usually we just walk straight past dogs because I know how excited my boy can get when he sees them. But the man had to keep calling the dog back to him as it moved closer to us and this excited my boy a lot. He didn't bark but did make a screaming sound a couple times. The man managed to pick up his dog and I managed to keep control of my dog although he was pulling me in their direction. My boy is very big and dark and I guess looks really scary to some but he was just excited and really happy to see another dog. I didn't say anything, just kept going as the man looked at us like we were the most dangerous things around and told my dog to get out of it. As he walked away he kept a good watch on us. It was really upsetting to think he saw my boy as a threat. I don't know how someone can miss the cue that he was just super happy. Anyway. I understand that some people have fears for good reasons etc. We are working hard on him not getting so excited like that and he is much better but every now and then he will still do that excited scream. He loves dogs so much. The moment he gets to them he is all calm and nice but his scream is like telling me we have to go over there and he will start pulling then. I just wondered what would be the best thing to say to the other person in a situation like this? I don't want to say 'don't worry, he's friendly' because to them he really may not look it but I do want to say something so they don't look at us with such fear. What would you do/say? Thanks.

I remember hearing something about training dogs to fear snakes too for safety reasons if they ever come into contact with one. I think it's a great idea but I imagine not so easy to really do? Perhaps you could contact a trainer and ask if they have any training methods specifically for terriers keeping away from lizards? I know Victoria Stilwell likes using the method of loud scary noises to stop a behaviour like hitting cooking pots together but making sure you aren't looking at the dog so they don't connect the scary noise to you but to whatever it is they are doing in that moment. I'm not sure if something like that might work. With the terrier instinct, I'm not really sure if there's a lot that can be really done since it was what they are bred to do, but there might be some ways to at least try and you never know.

I used to have terriers and sadly I couldn't seem to do anything as they'd always seem to find them again. They were the best most loving dogs ever but that terrier instinct was so strong. If I had them today I'd keep them inside a lot more or supervise when outside like I do my Lab (ironically who wouldn't even hurt an ant) but not sure if that would be possible? Hopefully someone else has some other solutions.

I don't think I mean dogs as replacement children, just that I feel content having my dog and giving all my time to him.

I used to really want children, then when I got my gorgeous baby boy puppy and watched him grow I now feel so content with him and the thought of another doggy. I still think about having kids but I don't long and long for it now. Does anyone else feel like this or wants only their dogs and not kids? I still want children at some point but I'm kind of at that stage where I could be very happy having my dogs instead.

About bawling my eyes out too. What a sweet soul.

That is amazing. Great stories, thanks for sharing! Dogs are the best at giving things a go and trying their best, they are so giving, so trusting.

What times have you been really proud of your dog? I have just started walking my year and a half old Lab boy on a flat collar instead of the easy walk harness (very brave). I didn't think he could do it but he does. We are loving it. He pulls a little at first but I stop/be a tree until the leash slackens and then we have an enjoyable rest of the walk. I look at him and tell him how proud I am of him and how much he amazes me since he was nearly uncontrollable as a big puppy on walks. I am loving walking with him more and more each day. What do your furkids do that make you proud?

Well I braved it. Just took him for a walk on just his collar, though I took the harness with me incase we came into any trouble. Didn't take any treats with (haven't for a few months now) and we didn't come into too high distractions (other dogs). I had to tell him stop and then wait until the leash was loose again about 5 or 6 times. Not bad! He wants to be a sniffer dog and this is our biggest issue walking, he won't pull me forward to a smell but he gets very determined to stay at one or go back to one if we walk ahead (he doesn't mark) So that was a little tricky a few times when he jerked my arm back. Apart from that though, he felt pretty weightless just like on the harness. Seems my boy has matured (he's a year and a half) and our training with the harness has paid off. The last time I tried this it was horrible. I'll keep working on it and see if I can introduce some distractions rather than get caught off guard. Curious... what do people recommend when jogging with a dog? We haven't yet as his joints develop but would like to start soon. A back attach harness or a collar?

Perhaps it's that he's trained on it not to pull because when he wears it he feels weightless. But if you connect the collar you really feel him. Maybe it's psychological/conditioning for him? It definitely gives me more control being around his body though rather than chocking his neck and feeling all his strength if he gets excited at something. The one that goes around his snout I've tried but it left a mark I didn't like and he seemed uncomfortable. With the harness he can walk out in front or by my side or behind with ease and the leash is always loose. The best thing I've learnt with him is to just keep walking past any excitable situations and pretend like they're not even there. If I tense up or anything he seems to lose attention on me. I might brave it to see how it goes but I know from the past that he is just so strong when the leash is attached to his collar. He also has a way to slip out of his collar somehow. I have a quick release martingale I can use but I don't believe it helps with any pulling with him from my experience. The vets I've been to say that they don't like dogs being led on collars because they see a lot of neck/throat damages.

The way my boy wears his harness loose is kind of like a loose t-shirt, he moves in it easily but if we come across something where I need to hold him a bit tighter it's like been grabbed by the shirt and you feel it pull on you a bit making it tighter so you can't move further forward as easily? People say to train your dog and there are many methods that might work for different dogs and yes it takes a lot of time, effort and lots of patience. Sadly a lot of people don't have this. But even with that, the fact is that my boy is very big, very strong and if he wanted to he could pull me onto the road. I've taught him not to but if he was on just a collar and saw something like another dog since he's so friendly, he just might pull me, in the past I've fallen over just by losing balance when he was excited at something. It's not that easy for some people. Yes I need to keep training him and one of these days I hope I'm brave enough and he's trained enough not to be on it. Maybe people who can't just train their dog to walk perfectly on a flat collar shouldn't have these big dogs in the first place but then little dogs can pull just as hard if they've got that chest/shoulder strength. I don't know. I wish there was an easier solution. If I'm damaging my boy I would be very upset but he seems happy on it and I don't see it hurting him or preventing his movement as he walks but it's there so that I can hold his whole body back if I need to whereas if I did that to just his collar it would choke him and he'd pull me over. I don't know. I feel like I don't do enough so that he just doesn't ever get in an excitable situation. I could be out there for a couple hours or all day exposing him to everything, the look at that game and whatever else. I should do that but it's hard and I fall over trying. Still, I should try harder. I want him off that harness whether it is damaging him or not.

I sometimes get the 'he's a dog' when it appears to some that I look after him too well. I don't baby him but he lives inside, stays inside when I'm out and a lot of people seem to not understand why I'd do that when there's a perfectly good yard outside. He is happy inside when I go out, he's safe, we have a good routine going. I've also been criticised for getting a big dog when I'm rather small, but it works for us. I just tell myself that they don't live my life and don't see even half of it. I just go with what works for us. He's my best bud, always there for me with a happy face and wagging tail, I'd do anything for him. I wouldn't have a partner who didn't respect that. Anyone else, they can just choose not to come over if they just want to criticise. Mostly though people are pretty good about it.

I would also be interested if it damages them when they wear the no-pull harness but aren't pulling on it. My boy doesn't pull on it and seems to walk with ease, like I said, he also wears it loosely. I found the head halti to look and seem uncomfortable for him and after just wearing it the once he had a mark over his snout from it that did fade but I didn't like that. I'm sure he was wearing it correctly too.

I use the front attach no pull harness. I have read things before and worried over it. I have a large dog and I am small, he is very strong. I trained him very well but if something happens I cannot hold him without his harness on and I won't use any corrective collars. He is a very happy doggy walking in his harness and walks just like he would without it. He wears it quite loose and just walks by my side or a little in front of me on a loose leash at all times. He is great and it has been great for us. I still worry a bit because I don't want it to be damaging him.

He's only spent one night away from me and I had a family member housesit but that won't be possible now and everyone else I just wouldn't quite trust since they're not used to dogs. I'm not sure what I think of a pet sitter but I have just found a boarding kennel that offers doggy day care with an overnight stay, along with boarding for longer stays that I might consider. I do think he'd be fine home alone overnight and some of the day as long as he has access to a toilet, I wouldn't be comfortable with letting him have access to outside without me.

What do you think of leaving your dogs home alone overnight every once in a while? Would you do it or would you decide to get someone to look after them instead or put them in boarding kennels for the night? I was thinking my dog might have to stay alone overnight sometimes now that we've moved and when I need to go back to visit people etc. I don't really trust anyone I know to look after him since I worry about gates left opened and everything else you can think of. If he has an indoor toilet set up and food and water, do you think it would work or is it wrong? He isn't crate trained but I was thinking of doing that so I can take him with me whenever I can but sometimes that might not be possible. What would you do? Thanks.

Thanks everyone. It's really helpful to hear what other people do. When my boy was a puppy he got his paw caught badly on a wire dog pen and I decided from then on not to use anything wire. He was fine after a vet visit and nothing broken but swollen. Luckily he wasn't traumatised but I was. Now that I'm closer to family members I'll be having some of them over more often so will have to work harder or try something to see if it works with certain people who can't handle a happy dog greeting them. He does settle down after a few minutes and he generally doesn't jump up at guests but his size can make some people uncomfortable. I think in future with this particular person I'll put my boy outside with a bone where I can still see him. I would love to tell this person off and have in the past but it doesn't get anywhere sadly. If he had hit my boy he would definitely be told to leave and not come back.

I have an excitable dog for when visitors come over and was wondering what everyone else does and what you've found works the best. Lots of training is involved and ongoing but until we get there, which would you choose? Put your dog/dogs in a crate so they can be in the room but not all excited and try to jump up on visitors? Put them behind a baby gate in a room off the living area so they can still see the visitors but not get to them? Put them outside so they can see through the window and watch the visitors from out there? Something else? Train them to go to their bed/mat and stay there would be ideal I think but we're just not there yet. Just to add, I've been working hard on training my boy and we are going so well but he just can't settle when guests are over yet. But the other day I had one person over who is very strict/hard/I think cruel to dogs and my boy happily went to greet this person and he was a bit too excited. I had him on a lead and was in full control but the person thought he was going to jump up at him and he raised his hand to hit him then stopped when he didn't end up jumping. I was shocked and don't want to be in that situation ever again. They're a family member who I don't see often but can't just not let them over either.

A black Standard Poodle with a natural haircut?

That is amazing when big dogs are instinctively gentle like that. I really hope my boy will be too. I think it will help if he gets to be around my nephew at first from a distance or if they come for walks with us sometimes. I guess I will just see how he goes very carefully at first and take a step back and try different methods if he is still too excited.