Oh dear, yet another pride before a fall episode today. I had thought I had Molly's recall fairly well under control. This morning we walked around an area where dogs are welcomed off lead, National Trust, lots of space, super place. We were watching Molly closely as she'd gone cracker-dog and was roaring around having huge fun. Then, not noticed by us, there was a couple with 2 gorgeous old Springers behind us, Molly belted off like Usain Bolt, totally ignoring my whistles, clicks, promises of wonderful tasties and leapt all over those dogs - and their humans. Sadly before we could get to them, they had to grab Molly and pull her away as one of the Springers has a damaged leg and is under treatment - Molly flattened them both. Am gutted, I had thought I had Molly's recall sorted. All the way home though, she grizzled and she's done this before when we've parted from dogs she loved playing with. She seems to be suffering from a lack of 'dog'. Hell of a lot of work to do !
Oh dear! They pull us into a false sense of security making us think we have trained them and proofed, then they do something so unexpected
She would love you to think that. The truth is, she is probably suffering from too much dog. She has learned that to run up to other dogs is terrific fun - indeed, probably the most fun ever. So you have to change her mind about this, and that's a hard thing to do once it's learned. That means training her that other dogs are pretty boring. Sure, say hello politely, but then move along. And they are not worth running across a field (or even 10m) for. It's a tough thing to do, but allowing her free access to other dogs isn't a practical way forward for most owners of young Labradors - unless you can find a plentiful supply of boring adult dogs that want nothing to do with her.
Zeke was/is like Molly, absolutely loves meeting other animals and people. It's one of the reasons I take him to the park before sunrise when most folks are still in bed. What I have been teaching him to hopefully combat this is to sit when an approaching person/dog is near while we are out on the leash. Sometimes he sits before I give the command when a person is coming. He's still on point and you can tell he wants to do a meet and greet but he sits. This morning as we were getting ready to leaving the park (off leash) he stopped all of a sudden, I looked up and saw a fella walking a couple dogs I gave Zeke the sit and he did albeit while leaning forward a tad. I was ready to grab his collar but he behaved, and got a nice reward for doing so. Zeke is 13 months old now and still give him a treat for things I am happy about and really want to reinforce is what I want him to do. Other things, like peeing outside the treats are random as they are pretty much second nature to him now. But, as Naya mentioned just when you feel they are 100% they remind they are just a dog with a mind of their own.
I tried to add this but my "edit time" expired ... By the way Zeke lives with two small dogs, 4 cats, a cockatiel and a tank of fish so he's used to being around other animals.
Thanks for your replies. I think you're right JulieT , she's grizzling with frustration at being pulled away from her 'victims'. I've a horrible feeling I'm going to have to resort to 1-to-1 trainer to break this habit. It sort of crept up on me and of course Molly is now quite a big dog. I was SO hoping to manage her training without having to resort to manual restraint - being crocked with arthritis, so furious with myself for letting this happen.
If it provides any hope (from my sample of one), Snowie changed from a puppy that madly raced up to every dog and person, to a sober adult who is not particularly interested in other dogs unless they're his friends (then he's super excited), same for people. (Of course there are exceptions and he will find the odd random dog particularly interesting.) I didn't know one should train a puppy to find other dogs boring; in fact, I was only too happy for him to use up his energy playing with other dogs when he was an energetic puppy. But luckily he turned out into an easy adult. I don't know if I did anything in particular or whether he just grew up. But from what I can see from dogs around me, the pups are excited, the adults aren't, and I am not really sure if anyone in my area trains their dogs (or even knows to train their dogs) to not pay attention to other dogs.
We have the same problem, so don't feel bad. You just have to keep on plodding along with the training. I have Jessie in a long training lead so I can prevent her rewarding herself. A pain, but essential. I also have a squeaky toy in my pocket which distracts her and signals some fun play happening with me! Sometimes works!!
Thanks MF and jessieboo, your experiences certainly do give me some hope that one day Molly will be a polite dog-greeter. Won't hold my breath though
Oh well, another day and more training I was talking to a neighbour of mine that rescued a Cocker Spaniel, a lovely little boy, she told me he didn't like other dogs much but he was fine with Hattie, not interested in her at all. She got the Spaniel from a behaviourist/trainer that rescued 3 puppies and wanted to train them as Gun Dogs but due to his dislike of other dogs he wasn't suitable. We chatted for a while and she said she had been reading a lot about socialising puppies/dogs with other dogs that takes the less is better approach, and as Julie says, the interest is far less. Striking a balance is the trick
As for being a polite dog greeter, this is one area that Snowie excels at. I think he learned this at doggy day care where he was introduced to dogs of all ages, and where the owner of the doggy day care managed the interactions very carefully. I noticed a distinct difference after he'd been there for a few months (he was there from age 3 to 6 months) that he was very polite to older dogs when greeting them. When he was very young he did race up to one particular old dog in our small dog park and, according to that dog's owner, slam into him in his exuberance, he just adored that older dog. However, the owner was less than impressed because she was worried about her old, sick dog (rightfully so, although she chose to enter the park full of puppies and everyone commented that if she was so intent on protecting her sick dog, she should've kept him away -- hmm, not sure what I would think now -- I do think it is our responsibility to ensure that our dogs don't hurt or impose on (even unintentionally) older or sick or frightened dogs). Anyway, point being that I think (1) they do grow up, but, looking back, I do believe that (2) correctly managed interactions, as Snowie had at doggy day care, help enormously.
I do think it depends on the dog but more what the owner thinks is acceptable. I walked Charlie on lead for months and months when he was injured. The vast majority of dog owners don't realise it is totally unacceptable for their dog to approach a dog on lead and they were the bane of my life. They are used to their dog running up to other dogs to say hello - sure, older dogs don't engage in wild play but they still run up - and don't think there is anything wrong with this. Most dog owners wander through a daily walk, with their dog trotting over to loads of other pet dogs that are all doing the same - so there is no problem from their point of view - and the dog heads roughly in the same direction as the owner. Everything is cool, owner thinks their dog is well behaved. It's not until someone says 'call your dog please - now' that they realise shouting their dog's name for 2 minutes, while the dog finishes saying hello and then is ready to leave anyway, doesn't amount to an adequate recall away from dogs. Even worse, they don't even bother doing that but start saying 'oh isn't yours allowed to say hello to other dogs....', or (ARGGGHH!) 'don't worry, s/he is perfect friendly!'. So, @MF - I think you sound quite lucky, it's not like that where I live, that's for sure!
I don't think it is at all acceptable for Molly doing what she is doing at the moment and will make every effort to put it right. As for an off lead dog approaching a dog on a lead, that should always be checked. Our old lab BJ had a bust cruciate fixed when he was 7 and was on lead walks for 6 months. Luckily where we live most dog owners, when they see a dog on a lead, also put theirs on - just in case. Unfortunately there are always those who don't and won't which is thoughtless as a dog is often on a lead for a very good reason, including injury. So, that is why I am not happy with what Molly has done. This has only happened the once because I'm usually very careful about what she's doing. Yesterday's incident caught me unawares. I am though encouraged by MF's experience with Snowie
