Hi all, First post! I have an 11 month old fox red lab who most of the time is a good boy. He’s great with the kids and compared to many is pretty good at not destroying my house. I’m Thankful for that. However, there are a few things i need to get sorted with him. Lockdown again, so need to wait before I can get him in some classes. Most are things we can work on, such as recall when there are distractions. When it’s just me and him he walks well on a lead and recall is ok, but if the kids are with me or there are other dogs, it’s work in progress. Fun is a distraction! The issue is that he’s started becoming a little too dominant with some dogs. It’s the younger or smaller ones that are the issue. He doesn’t look aggressive, but his over dominant play means he squashes some is the smaller dogs which of course upsets the owners. It just looks overly playful but not reassuring to others. . There is however also a little mounting now and then too (make and female) so more dominance. How am I supposed to let these situations happen so that we can intervene and let him known it’s not good behaviour, as it makes me want to put him on the lead so we don’t upset people/dogs. He’s just so excited he won’t listen.. Appreciate any advice as it’s really taking it’s toll on the enjoyment of dog ownership. I’m reading up on the threads here on dominance and also on neutering, and I’d like to solve this behaviourally if possible. Thanks.
Neutering didn’t solve mounting with Toby but it is only occasionally and I don’t let it become an issue. I just remove him and they usually carry on playing. It doesn’t happen with most dogs but he has his favourites(usually male) and it usually happens after they have been running around together first. Possibly dominance rather than sexual. Neutering did stop other male dogs attacking him. It was becoming quite a problem and on one occasion Toby retaliated. Fortunately he was on the lead and they could be separated.We have had no problems since.He was neutered at 14 months but there are reasons for and against to consider.
Neutering didn’t solve mounting with Toby but it is only occasionally and I don’t let it become an issue. I just remove him and they usually carry on playing. It doesn’t happen with most dogs but he has his favourites(usually male) and it usually happens after they have been running around together first. Possibly dominance rather than sexual. Neutering did stop other male dogs attacking him. It was becoming quite a problem and on one occasion Toby retaliated. Fortunately he was on the lead and they could be separated.We have had no problems since.He was neutered at 14 months but there are reasons for and against to consider.
It sounds to me like you have more of a recall problem than you think. While it will not stop these behaviours per se, being able to call your dog away from rough play, or indeed to interrupt any other 'undesirable behaviour' is key. Recall, recall, recall
Thanks both. I’m under no illusions that his recall is good. As I said, without distractions it’s good, but when with other kids and dogs it’s not great, and of course this is when you need it. That’s why I’m asking how I can best improve his recall off lead, so I don’t have to go to having him on the lead more. How do I train him when he just won’t listen and is so distracted.? thanks
Different people have different approaches. This would be mine, but I appreciate that others have different methods, and I would strongly suggest you read "Total Recall". Personally, I would start doing some gundog training with him to build his focus on you and build your relationship. You should be the most exciting thing in his world and all good things should come from you. If you feed him biscuits ('kibble'), I would take his meal with me for every walk (start with low distraction places) and give him a handful for each recall until that recall is instant every time.
Hi Mike wondered if you much success and if so what you did? Our 7 month old has just started testing the boundaries, whereas he used to lie down when he saw a dog off lead, play a little then follow us when we walked off ( always with tonnes of praise and high value treats) now if he sees a dog 200 metres away then he’s off chasing it about. If it’s a bigger/older dog that will put up with it then tell him When they’ve had enough he’s fine with but another playful dog or a little dog hr has no turn off switch and completely forgets I exist. It’s a bit much having a bounding Labrador coming towards you and he’s still at a point where he can get a bit mouthy when over excited ( not with humans but with other dogs) We practice recall all the time and he’s well socialised but just loses his mind when we see a dog out in the fields.
Hello. Did anyone find a solution to the attempts at dominance over smaller dogs and pups? My 11 month old exhibits the same behaviors.
