Today we were walking down a path, when Coco spotted a man and a small terrier-type in a fluorescent coat coming towards us. He bounded down the path and the man started shouting at his dog to "STOP STOP" "Come Here", it ignored him. Coco reached them and the man scooped the little terrier up into his arms (we were still at a distance). Coco started jumping up at the man as he twirled around with his dog. Our shouts of "Coco OFF" or "COME" were futile. When we reached them I apologised profusely, the man was OK with it (I wasn't!) and he said that his dog was very snappy, that's why he picked him up. TBH I'd rather he'd just snapped at Coco, he needs to know not everyone wants to see him. Yes, we should have stopped it before he set off towards them, but unfortunately he saw them before we did, and went straight to "ooh friends" mode. If I only knew someone with a small dog... I'm realising that a dog can never be considered "trained", there's so many new situations that will always arise. It's a journey through their life, and what fun it is too. Keeps us on our toes! Coco redeemed himself later, we met 3 Springer Spaniels and Coco had a play and then he carried on following them, playing. When they were a decent distance from me, I blew my recall whistle & he came straight back.
I understand exactly what you mean, my dog Hachi does the exact same thing, but he won't come back. I can't find anything that will distract him from other dogs at all! So for Coco to come back to you with the recall whistle is great.
It's the making yourself more interesting than the other dogs/dead rabbit/deer/bicycle issue. You really have to up the anti, And Training, Training, Training! Well done Coco for the recall! Spaniels are clearly boring, but that terrier you couldn't get to......well I don't blame you LOL!
