I'm new to this forum and hoping for some advice to help me with my four legged friend! Charlie is 3 years old and it is like he has a split personality! He is so soft, gentle and loving you couldn't ask for a better dog, always happy tail wagging..until he sees another dog out and about, then he just turns into this madly energetic bundle of fluff who will do anything to go see the other dog! We go to training and have just about to take our silver exam so he's not terrible but unless you have his undevidence attention 100% of the time he will pull your arm off to go play with the other dog. On a short lead it is easier but on longline or offlead it is a real challenge. He recalls lovely at class and if there are no other dogs around. But out and about,h e takes off at speed and will not recall until he has been to the other dog. There is no agression he just wants to say hello and play. So much so that I can't let him off lead at the park as both people and dogs don't want a 30 kilo fluff ball bounding up to them....and he sees horses as big dogs and does the same. I would love to overcome this as I so want to be able to let Charlie off at the park wit out fear of him legging it and causing a riot! Any advice very welcomed. I have ordered 'Total Recall' book which should be here soon. P.S. Apologies for the essay post!
Hello and a warm welcome to the forum. This is a common issue with Labradors, who are generally life's party people, always ready to meet new dogs and wanting to say hi to everyone. What you need to do is proof his behaviours with other dogs at a distance he can cope with to start off with. By the time he's frantic, it's too late, so you need to find out what distance he can cope with and work on it from there, just basic attention exercises, things like a hand touch, sit, play catch, whatever that keeps his attention on you and away from the other dog. Over several sessions, gradually decrease the distance between you and the other dog, rewarding him for any interaction on you. You're trying to build a relationship that means he knows that you are far more exciting than any other dog could be. This article will also help explain what to do about getting a recall that works so you can call your dog away from another. http://www.thelabradorsite.com/dogs-running-away/#problem-1 These two approaches should be used in conjunction, so he firstly starts to lose interest in running towards other dogs, but secondly that, if he does, you can call him back.
