Reggie's a maniac when he sees other dogs

[Stephanie & Reggie]

Does anyone have any advice for teaching puppies manners when it comes to seeing other dogs?

Reggie LOVES meeting new dogs. So much that he's always barking at them from across the street, or pulling on the leash when we are walking, or going totally ape $h!t when we approach the dog park. I know that his commotion is just excitement, but to others, he just seems out of control - not a good playmate... 

I've tried asking other dog owners (while on walks) if Reggie can say "hello", but we cannot possibly do that for every dog we come across - so many dogs in our 'hood. Also, I think it's a bad habit to get into, acting all nuts when meeting new friends. First impressions are lasting impressions, after all ;) The last time we tried to go to the dog park, we ended up not even going in because he was being such a spazz, and I didn't want to reinforce the behavior. 

Once he meets the dog, his manners improve pretty significantly, but the initial meeting is pretty intense. Reggie has 2 other doggie friends he plays with regularly (even though he sees them often, still does the barking/pulling/crazy thing, even if they have been playing for 4 hours and re-see each other after 5 minutes of separation) and meets probably 5 or so new dogs on walks each week. He is 7 months old :) We have some other puppy friends and are setting up playdates, but wondered if anyone had advice on how to set things up so he can learn some good lessons and hopefully improve!

Thanks everyone!

Stephanie

[Adina P]

What kind of obedience training has he had so far and are you still in the process of continuing education? 

Quite often people think if their dog could just MEET more dogs it would get it out of their system.  But really meeting more dogs doesn't do anything to help them chill out when they see other dogs.  What helps them chill out is obedience practice where they have to learn to follow commands in the face of all types of distractions, even other dogs:  Learning how to heel, sit, down, stay and come while other dogs are around or nearby...while squirrels run past...when someone knocks on the door...when their favorite person shows up in the park...when kids run up to them, etc.  First step is learning what commands mean: sit, down, stay, heel, come.  Next steps are practicing those commands with minimal distractions...then increasingly more and more difficult distractions.  This gradual increase of distraction has to happen slowly enough so the dog is likely to succeed, but also not so slow that the dog is never challenged or never gets it wrong. 

[Adina P]

And the doggy distraction is just like any other distraction.  You start with dogs far away and as your dog gets better at obeying commands with dogs far away...you then slowly work with dogs closer and closer to him until after months and months of practice he will obey even if a friendly off leash dog comes near.

You have said that you left the dog park before because he went to crazy and you didn't want to reinforce that.  Excellent.  What you can do next time is just practice his obedience near the dog park, but far enough for him to obey.  Get him used to the idea of going near but not going in.  Then as he does well there, plan to inch closer for more practice.  Pretty soon you'll be within 10-15 feet away from the fence of the dog park...work there.  Then move in closer...maybe a leash distance away.  Work there for as long as it takes to get him relaxed and obedient at that distance.  Then ask friends with dogs to let you come by and work your dog near their dog.  All your friend has to do is stand there with his/her dog on leash and not let their dog get close.  Then you can control how close you get and inch your way closer as you heel, sit, down, stay and recall your dog in that space.  Next time inch closer.  Gradually, with regular practice you'll be able to pass a dog on a walk or put your dog in a sit-stay as the dog walks past you and he will be calm and obedient.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I agree with Adina.  The first thing you are going to need to do is teach a solid "heel" or at least to walk by your side...no smelling or pulling...always loose leash.  You would train this without the distractions.  When he understands HOW he's supposed to be walking you can start to introduce the distractions like other dogs.  I never allow my guys to go "meet" other dogs on a walk.  I think that introduces excitement and that's not what I want on a walk.  The how you would actually train this depends on what method you're using for obedience work.  Are you using a training collar, corrections, treat and clicker???? 

[Spuds Family]

No expert, but what I read was to continue to keep walking by the other dogs, birds, people ect saying LEAVE IT! If you appear to have no reaction to other dogs, they too will keep walking. Eventually they will become less distracted. I just have to explain to my neighbors why I can't stop and talk because they think I am being rude! Lol

[Moe]

I did a bunch of training classes with my dog, each one from beginner to advanced AKC training addressed this issue. Training classes would help you learn what to do when he goes crazy. One little thing they suggested when out walking was to pay attention to where the dog is looking. If the dog fixes in on another dog (squirrel, jogger, bike etc.) you give their leash a little pop to keep their focus on what is in front of them. They teach you not to let your dog look at other dogs when out walking so they are not tempted to drag you over to meet them. Letting your dog meed some dogs on leash will just reinforce pulling. In a dog's mind if it is OK sometimes then it is an acceptable behavior. When training my dog I never let her meet other dogs when out walking. If people asked if they could meet I politely explained that she was in training. I think you can easily correct this behavior but it is going to take some work on your part.

[Stephanie & Reggie]

This is great advice, thanks everyone! I tried the below suggestions, and he just seems incapable of focusing when other dogs are around. At first he was pretty good with other types of distractions (we use treats and toys to train) but in the last 2 weeks he has just gotten more distracted and I think afraid. Even inside the house, gets distracted and barks into the air :( And now what used to be excited interest in other dogs has turned into lunging and what sounds to me like aggressive barking. The obedience school my vet recommended advised against group class for now, because of his extreme reactions to other dogs. So we've got a one on one with a trainer tomorrow afternoon. Hopefully we can get back on track! I'm a first time mom and don't want to mess anything up! Thanks for the words of wisdom. I'll report back, hopefully with good news :)

[Adrienne]

In addition to what others have said, you may also want to ask your trainer to train you to use a "prong" collar.  My Weimaraner used to lunge forward with excitement to meet other dogs/people.  You could actually hear him gagging but that did not deter his eagerness to get to his target.  I was trained to use the prong collar, along with the "sit", "stay" and "leave it" commands and, overtime, he became a different dog.  Friends/neighbors loved the change in him and our walks were so much more enjoyable for both of us.  As he matured, he had no reaction at all--happy to stop and greet dogs/people if I chose to stop or happy to keep going along on our walk.  It sounds like you are on the right path by getting private training sessions.  It will take some time but Reggie will get there.  Good luck.

[Stephanie & Reggie]

I've been considering this, Adrienne, and I think it's a great idea. It's REALLY hard to get him to change his state of mind when he's intent on getting to a target, and it sounds like this kind of collar could help break that "one track mind" state!

The private training was horrible - will post about it in he other thread :( We will have to keep searching for the right helper!

[F, Calla & Luca]

I use prong collars on my doodles and love them . I have written about this many times on DK.

[Stephanie & Reggie]

Great to know! I'm pretty new to DK, such a wealth of info here! I'll do a search and try to find your posts!

Did a trainer show you how? Is there another resource I could use to learn while we hunt for a better trainer? 

[F, Calla & Luca]

When Luca was a puppy, around 6-7 months his trainer suggested it. There are videos out there for training. leer burg has many but you'd need to see if they have specific ones for your issue. I do think a good trainer would be better in he beginning.

[Judy, Meg & Polly Wolly Doodle]

We have also just recently been taught to use a prong collar by our trainer and it is like someone turned the light on in Meg's brain, totally different dog when we walk.