BoxerB Posted August 6, 2013 Share Posted August 6, 2013 Hi Guys Looking for any ideas people may have on how to get my boy to be a little calmer around other dogs. Is it purely training? Or does he need more exposure to other dogs? Being a Boxer he has the usual Boxer play style so I'm quite cautious about letting him say hi to other dogs. He's not aggressive in any way shape or form, not to people or dogs. I think part of it is that I'm over cautious about letting other dogs near him. I don't really take him to dog parks as i just don't like the stories i hear about irresponsible owners, letting dogs run a muck. Is it just his age?? I want him to be confident but not crazy excited around other dogs, so i can take him to events without getting my arm ripped off from him trying to play with every dog around. Its a similar story at the vet. He's the crazy one barking and carrying on to play, bowing, you name it, while most other dogs are calmly sitting down. Just not sure if its me that needs to get over it and start letting him say hi to more dogs, or is it training and only training. Or is it both? Any ideas would be great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jed Posted August 6, 2013 Share Posted August 6, 2013 Did you post this before? Anyhow, more training - so he listens to you 100% and so he sits reliably, so he can meet other dogs. He is excited because he never meets any. Keep him on lead and see if you can find a non-reactive dog(s) he can talk to. Maybe take him to obedience training? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
megan_ Posted August 6, 2013 Share Posted August 6, 2013 This is a training issue that simple "more exposure to dogs" won't help - in fact, it will make it much worse, because he will find "going nuts around dogs" more and more rewarding. Every time he is allowed to do this is re-inforcing this message to him. Personally, I'd see a qualified trainer, one that knows about concepts such as "Look at That". If you go intro the training forum, do a search on "Look at That" or LAT for short and you'll find an explanation of how it works. It is often used for dogs that are DA, but it also works well for dogs that get over excited. I believe it is a game that EVERY dog should be taught! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted August 7, 2013 Share Posted August 7, 2013 (edited) A goofy boxer boy will indeed benefit (as will you) from some specialised advice, I think :) To start with, maybe click on THIS ? That might give you some ideas .. It's great that you are working at managing his behaviour ! Edited August 7, 2013 by persephone Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoxerB Posted August 7, 2013 Author Share Posted August 7, 2013 Yeah, sorry guys, i may have asked this before and should have checked the training section. I just saw some dog groups on facebook that i would love to attend, but i know he would go nuts so quickly thought, i need to as DOL how do i fix this :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leah82 Posted August 7, 2013 Share Posted August 7, 2013 Check out dog obedience clubs near you. I just starting going to one near me and they include socialisation as part of the beginners class, along with a bit of recall. So your dog is rewarded for coming away from another dog after a quick hello. Plus he'll get exposure to plenty of other dogs in a controlled environment as they'll all be on leashes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
megan_ Posted August 7, 2013 Share Posted August 7, 2013 I wouldn't just rely on an OB club to fix this problem though. It is about relationship building, so 1:1 advice with a qualified trainer is the way to go IMO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RiverStar-Aura Posted August 7, 2013 Share Posted August 7, 2013 This is a training issue that simple "more exposure to dogs" won't help - in fact, it will make it much worse, because he will find "going nuts around dogs" more and more rewarding. Every time he is allowed to do this is re-inforcing this message to him. Personally, I'd see a qualified trainer, one that knows about concepts such as "Look at That". If you go intro the training forum, do a search on "Look at That" or LAT for short and you'll find an explanation of how it works. It is often used for dogs that are DA, but it also works well for dogs that get over excited. I believe it is a game that EVERY dog should be taught! Great advice!! I think you've hit on one of the main problems of off leash parks -- people and dogs think it's a free for all and a place to 'go crazy'. BoxerB, an obedience club will help a little, but not with the interaction side of things. Obedience is not really allowing the dogs to interact with one another so whilst it will help with your dog's obedience, it won't help with his socialisation skills. Even just taking him to a park on lead might be beneficial -- if he gets too boisterous, pull him aside and distract him with games like LAT. It's a fantastic way of distracting high energy dogs!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
megan_ Posted August 7, 2013 Share Posted August 7, 2013 I personally wouldn't take an on leash dog to an off leash area - his level of arousal my increase and he may be mobbed by other dogs. I'd prefer to learn manners with an on leash, well tempered dog. Maybe contact Steve from K9Pro and ask if he either has a distance program or whether a 1:1 would suit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoxerB Posted August 7, 2013 Author Share Posted August 7, 2013 Thanks again guys, will definitely look into those. Megan have been in contact with Steve in the past, unfortunately I'm on the other side of Sydney, so ti make it a little more difficult. Is there anyone people would recommend more around the Liverpool area of Sydney? I don't mind travelling a bit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rubiton Posted August 7, 2013 Share Posted August 7, 2013 Our young dog who is nearly 3 but has the brain of a 12 month old especially when it comes to other dogs on walks. I pull of the path and try and get a good 5m or so away and make him sit (hopefully over a bit of a hill so there is a slope). If he sits he can watch the other dogs and people go past. If he jumps in the air and acts like a looney he'll he turned away and wont be able to even look at the other dog til he sits (he will talk and voice his opion which he also gets told off for as he will answer back). So far instead of lunging he now tries to jump in the air so starting to get through. However he has been to dog parks off lead. For the first five minutes he's a nutcase especially if we have the other older dog in front but once he sits and calms down and goes off the lead he is no more excited than any other dog out there and actually follows and listens to us better than the older dog (who these days just thinks she can wander off wherever she wants = if she doesn't want to go where you want you have to run her down and put her on the lead yes she is also good at trying to stay just a couple of steps ahead) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raineth Posted August 8, 2013 Share Posted August 8, 2013 (edited) Thanks again guys, will definitely look into those. Megan have been in contact with Steve in the past, unfortunately I'm on the other side of Sydney, so ti make it a little more difficult. Is there anyone people would recommend more around the Liverpool area of Sydney? I don't mind travelling a bit. Lol we traveled 600'kms to see Steve! Although possibly with city traffic it might take just as long! :) Edited August 8, 2013 by raineth Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RiverStar-Aura Posted August 8, 2013 Share Posted August 8, 2013 :laugh: raineth! I too travelled to see Steve but it was no where near 600kms!! About 1 hour 30ish minutes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raineth Posted August 8, 2013 Share Posted August 8, 2013 :laugh: raineth! I too travelled to see Steve but it was no where near 600kms!! About 1 hour 30ish minutes. Sometimes being rural makes things vewy difficult! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luvsdogs Posted August 8, 2013 Share Posted August 8, 2013 Thanks again guys, will definitely look into those. Megan have been in contact with Steve in the past, unfortunately I'm on the other side of Sydney, so ti make it a little more difficult. Is there anyone people would recommend more around the Liverpool area of Sydney? I don't mind travelling a bit. Just googled Liverpool to Kurrajong Heights & it's about 61 km & estimated to take 1 - 1.25 hours travelling time. Not far in the scheme of things. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salukifan Posted August 8, 2013 Share Posted August 8, 2013 Sounds to me like what's missing from the equation is some self control from your dog. That can be taught. I also think a program of desensitising and improving YOUR value to your dog may also help. Exposing him on lead to dogs he cannot reach will build frustration and not a lot more IMO. Distance should be no barrier to getting the right trainer for your boy. I'd be going to see Steve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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