Anna H Posted April 23, 2009 Share Posted April 23, 2009 Ok, somewhere along the line I've stuffed up and now have a dog that is far too reactive/uncontrolled whenever another dog within sight. All he wants to do is play and be a complete fool... not agro whatsoever. Any tips on where to start in training a more suitable response from him whever we meet another dog? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huski Posted April 23, 2009 Share Posted April 23, 2009 I'd go back to basics. Do some one on one work with him just running through commands in the backyard and get him focusing on you 110%... then slowly increase the distraction level. If other dogs are his biggest distraction, start training him from a wide distance away where he isn't completely focused on the other dog/s. I think getting back his focus in situations like this will be a gradual thing. When/how often do you let him interact with or play with other dogs? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anna H Posted April 23, 2009 Author Share Posted April 23, 2009 When/how often do you let him interact with or play with other dogs? Daily if you count that he spend the whole day with my other dog... otherwise, not really that often anymore. I realise this lack of interaction is probably making things worse, not better - not many people walk their dogs in the dark at 5am (when I get up before work) so he rarely sees other dogs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huski Posted April 23, 2009 Share Posted April 23, 2009 When/how often do you let him interact with or play with other dogs? Daily if you count that he spend the whole day with my other dog... otherwise, not really that often anymore. I realise this lack of interaction is probably making things worse, not better - not many people walk their dogs in the dark at 5am (when I get up before work) so he rarely sees other dogs. Not necessarily, generally I don't let Micha play with other dogs, his behaviour has improved enormously just by following the right training program. I think some owners make the mistake of thinking that as much socialisation as possible will cure the bad behaviour but I did this for years with Micha and it made his behaviour much, much worse. Especially as he learned that his behaviour was a way to win, time after time. I stopped letting him interact with other dogs until he was at a certain point in his training and I had much better focus from him. Only certain dogs will make him react now, calm dogs don't bother him and he can meet them and will be fine with them, and even wants to play with them. Have you thought about getting a trainer to give you some pointers? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VJB Posted April 23, 2009 Share Posted April 23, 2009 AnnaW, Heidi can still be a goofball too sometimes. Some dogs she is fine with, and then others, even when we meet on lead, she starts spinning and spinning and it's "out of control". I spend the entire time trying to keep her "behaved", and then I walk away thinking "why does she have to do that"..... excitement takes over and makes her completely deaf UNLESS....... I have B'cue chicken in my treat bag. I try to keep her focus on me, using the chicken as reward, and hope that she is getting the message that I am rewarding her calm behaviour. I always give her a command though before she gets the treat (otherwise she might think I'm handing them out for free). This has helped me keep her focus amongst other dogs............ until excitement takes over again. I will follow this thread with interest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anna H Posted April 23, 2009 Author Share Posted April 23, 2009 Have you thought about getting a trainer to give you some pointers? Would love to, money is an issue at the moment - have just bought a new house and am about to fork out the better part of $1k for assorted veterinary work to my pets. I think some owners make the mistake of thinking that as much socialisation as possible will cure the bad behaviour but I did this for years with Micha and it made his behaviour much, much worse. yes, nearly all the training sessions/clubs I went to seemed to think letting pups run riot with each other was a good idea - so I gave up going to the clubs up because of this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kavik Posted April 23, 2009 Share Posted April 23, 2009 I think getting focus back on you will help a lot Have you done focus work? Will she look at you on command? If not, this is where I would start. Clicker training is one good way to get focus. Then gradually build up your distractions, starting with dogs at a distance. While you say your dog is not aggressive, this book outlines a really good way to get focus and use this to help settle your dog around other dogs. It would work with excitement as well, mainly works on rewarding the dog when it looks at you and doesn't pay attention to the other dog. Click to Calm: Healing the Aggressive Dog by Emma Parsons Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huski Posted April 23, 2009 Share Posted April 23, 2009 (edited) Oh that sucks, Anna (all the vet work). I agree with vjb, work on making him see you as the most exciting thing ever. Is he very food motivated? Or toy motivated? As I said above - I wouldn't rush into getting him to focus or be calm around other dogs straight away, build his focus on you and gradually increase the distractions and the distance between him and another dog. And if you are going to let him interact with another dog make sure that it is on your terms - it starts and stops when you say. ETA: What Kavik said! Edited April 23, 2009 by huski Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anna H Posted April 23, 2009 Author Share Posted April 23, 2009 Oh that sucks, Anna (all the vet work). oh, it's nothing serious... just maintenence stuff (desexing, vaccinations, teeth cleaning etc etc) - its just that all four need something done! I migth look into that book, I've seen it before and was wondering if it might be a good starting point in a highly excited dog. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FionaC Posted April 23, 2009 Share Posted April 23, 2009 Oh Anna - wish you were closer! Poor Ollie .... I've got no suggestions I'm afraid as I'm battling the GSP teenage sillies myself right now - you might see him calm a little now he's getting desexed though? maybe? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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