Socialisation?

[Rebecca Atkinson]

Hi there Dixie is 22 weeks nearly and she is not afraid of any other dogs therefor I am worried at letting here off the lead on beach or park as she I'll go hobo any dog even if on the lead!!! Any suggestions how to make her more aware as she is soooooo fast I could never catch up with her! She does come vs m but after have called her several times????

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

At 22 weeks, Dixie is still just a baby and really shouldn't be trusted off leash until she has a solid recall.  Otherwise, you are putting her at risk for injury or becoming lost as well as being a huge annoyance to other dogs and owners. Are you taking obedience classes?  It takes much time, practice and patience to ensure a consistent recall.  Start by never letting her loose and calling her back unless you are able to enforce the command. Never chase her-this is a fun game for her and reinforces running from you. You can use a long line to practice recalls.  This gives you control. Be sure to give her high praise and rewards when she comes back to you. Also never give a command more than once or she will learn that you don't really mean "come" until you have said it five times..ten times... you get the idea. :(

Ideally, dogs are obedient because the respect you and recognize you as their leader. This relationship is developed over time and Dixie will respond more readily as it solidifies. I would recommend that you investigate Doggy Dan's on line video training courses. He will help you and Dixie develop a relationship that will make both of you happy. :)

http://theonlinedogtrainer.com/the-online-dog-trainer/

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I think Ricki's advice is perfect.  I would not let a 22 week old puppy off leash....there's lots of training to be done first.

[Rebecca Atkinson]

Ok thanks!!!! she recalls at any other time perfectly at home or in house or when there r no dogs around! I can tell her to lay on her bed and she will,she will sit and stay until I tell her to move! So most of her training is done this is the last area really other thAn walking off lead and thanks Ricki for advise I will take a look! We have really good foundations and she and I have a really good bond! Do you think more meet ups with other dogs will help?

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Rebecca, I'm no expert but I would probably continue to arrange meet ups for her in controlled environments(your yard or a friend's) and with dogs that you know. Sometimes older dogs can be helpful in teaching puppies to calm down and be more balanced in social situations but you really need a calm centered dog to be the teacher. So it would be on a case by case basis. But if she is playing with another dog I wouldn't use the "come" command as it's not likely she will respond yet. Maybe part of the visit with the other dog could be with Dixie on a leash and you practicing the come using the dog as a distraction. Then if she doesn't respond you can reel her in and reward her for returning. 

It sounds like you have already achieved a great deal with her training. I think the "come" command is one of, if not the most, difficult to train to consistency.  There are always new distractions and situations arising that challenge it.   And a key is to not place her in situations where she will fail, so avoid those where the distractions are too high for her right now. 

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

The only way  I let my dogs off-leash when they were young was in a totally fenced area - playground, dog park, backyard.

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

Hi Rebecca,

No matter how good her recall is in your home or backyard, Dixie is still a puppy and puppies are easily distracted. Continue to build a strong training foundation as she matures. You're on the right track but dependable recall is a challenge and involves training with a long line or other training tool in a number of different settings again and again as she gets older.  I think Ricki's advice is perfect. It's wonderful that she is friendly to other dogs and I would continue to build that off-leash confidence in controlled playdates with calm dogs that you know are friendly…and in fenced secure areas.