Hi Freddie is 16 weeks old and due to being poorly when he was little was delayed in having his vaccinations. This means that he can only just go on walks. He coped brilliantly really enjoying sniffing about and walked really nicely on his lead. We only saw one dog which was the other side of the road and he barked at it and lunged in it's direction. I tried to get his attention but it was really difficult. When he stopped and looked at me I rewarded him with a treat. It wasn't a big problem but I am worried that the fact he is quite old to be going out for the first time means we may have problems with other dogs. I tried my best to socialise him we saw my friends dog regularly and I have an older dog so he is used to him. He also went to my older dogs training class as they were having an Christmas party and again he was good as there were alot of dogs but he did bark at a few and pull towards them even the big German Shepherd! I think he may just want to play with everyone and hasn't yet learnt his manners when approaching other dogs but want to know the best way to deal with it to stop it developing into more of an issue Shall i continue to distract him and reward him when he gives me attention? I have been training him at home and he does really well at home Thank you
Yes - puppy barking = 'play with me play with me'. Mollie is a quiet, placid pup until she wants Tatze to play then wuf wuf wuf! ...
Both my dogs were perfectly well socialised from an early age, and they both lunged and fussed at other dogs when on lead. My older boy no longer does this, but he was a horror for it in his time. My teenage puppy is currently a horror for it. If you ask me, socialisation or not, a large number of Labradors come pre-programmed to make a fuss about getting to other dogs. Keep giving them treats for not making a fuss, and in a number of years they get over it.
Bailey is similar, see another dog and he's on high alert. With strange dogs he just tends to play bow and be very bouncy, not really barking, but with my friends two dogs and my sisters dog he barks from the minute he smells them! Totally different bark to his usual bark too!
Thank you for your replies it is good to hear that the barking is normal and will stop eventually ( well in a few years!) I took him out this morning and we met a 2 year old black lab who was very happy to see him. They greeted each other but there was no barking! I know it is early days we will keep rewarding him for being calm. Thanks again
