Walking advice

[Briggo09]

Need some advice on walks please. Charlie has always been super friendly to other dogs and people, he is so excited when he sees them that it is becoming a bit of a problem. He is now 6 months and he has always seen lots of different people, and we have always let him say hello to other dogs, where he will lay on his front and invite them to play and then go absolutely nuts- jumping all over them. A lot of the time the dogs will not like this and I have to pretty much drag him away and he will then be extremely hard to walk (dashing around, pulling in every direction) it's got the the point where I am dreading seeing people in the distance because of this and it's making his walks less enjoyable. Is there a way I should be handling this? I love that he is sociable but also need him to calm down a bit to make it easier for him to socialise safely.

[Finvarra]

Dylan was like this, he is a year old now. He loves people and feels,he has to,speak to everyone in the world. I found that taking him to puppy classes helped socialise him with other dogs a lot. Teaching him to sit when speaking to people also helps, not everyone wants a dog jumping at them. Trouble is he is so lovely people want to fuss him so training is two steps forward, one step back. He is starting to calm down a bit now and if he runs up to people he will at least sit to be fussed. Perhaps you could try doing this and treating him when he sits? Maybe try it with some people you know. When he is sitting you can put you foot on the lead to stop,him jumping up. He's still young and exploring this exciting world, but he will start to grow up some time!

Lesley and Dylan

[Londongirl]

This was the point with Henry where I got serious with the recall training and he spent much more time on the lead than off. I let him off to play with other dogs if it was clear the other owners and dogs welcomed it, and clear to Henry that he was doing it with permission. On the lead I made him sit when other dogs came near and gave him treats to sit and be calm. That took some work, and is still a work in progress!

This was the time when I seriously started whistle training. If I had him on the long line, he couldn't gallop off to greet others. By the time the line and lead came off (it took a few months), it seemed he was less interested in other dogs. Still super friendly, so about 50% of the time he will go to say hello, but is much calmer about it and comes back to me when I call him away.

I was really sad to have him on the lead so much for a few months, but also relieved not to be dreading him rocketing away. I remember how stressful it was. I think a combination of recall training and him maturing has got us through that phase.

[bizzylizzy]

I fully endorse that! I felt really horrible putting Humphrey on a long lead, especially as his recall hadn't seemed THAT bad, but I can't believe the difference its made. We did it for a couple of months and now he's very rarely more than a few yards away from me and, although he's running up and down I feel I've got him far more under control. Every now and again, when I let him off his lead, I get him to walk to heel for a few yards (funny how this works far better off lead than on!) and then he gets a treat and a signal to run free. I've also been practising calling "stop" at a distance and then asking him to sit until I reach him which is a God send when tractors or cars suddenly appear or other people or dogs. (He actually ignored six rabbits yesterday, although that was probably only a one off!  ) We've still got a way to go, but we're getting there - Charlie's six months younger than Humphrey and it does all take time until they calm down but if you're considering a long line, then I'd say the earlier the better. It was the best thing we ever did!
Best of luck!!!

[Briggo09]

Glad people are saying they do calm down. I do use a long line and extendable when other people are around on the playing field we go to and am nearly at the end of the prep stage of whistle training (the fun is soon to start for real). The real problem I have is walking the streets and inevitably I have to pass other dogs which makes the rest of the walk a bit manic and pully. I think I am going to take him to some classes just for extra socialisation, as long as I know he will grow out of this stage a bit it puts my mind at ease.

[daw]

They certainly do calm down. Do use a harness- it's just they can get a bit addicted to the rush of half-throttling themselves. Also bad of course for throats.

Have you anyone with a nice calm dog who'd walk with you? Or a local dog walking group. Can really help.

[bizzylizzy]

Yes, harness is important. Also, - our trainer advised against an extendable lead as this can encourage pulling (as if cockers need encouragement! ) . They fact that they learn to exert pressure to move forward gets them into bad habits. I used a long lead that's about 5 yards, admittedly they do take a bit of getting used to, we got a bit tangled at first, but once you and the dog get the hang of it, it's not so bad and it IS only a temporary measure. I take a normal lead in the town and swap it over once we get somewhere quieter.

[Londongirl]

Another vote for the harness - the Walk Your Dog With Love is great. Much less pulling and excitement. When you see another dog or person coming, get him to sit and get his attention on you. I hold a super favourite treat right up to my nose so he has to look at it. Keep him looking at you as much as you can until the distraction passes. Henry would glance at the distraction, but a quick ah-ah from me and waggle of the treat would get his eyes back on me. If he was MOSTLY good I'd give him that treat and then another.

[bizzylizzy]

Another vote for the harness - the Walk Your Dog With Love is great. Much less pulling and excitement. When you see another dog or person coming, get him to sit and get his attention on you. I hold a super favourite treat right up to my nose so he has to look at it. Keep him looking at you as much as you can until the distraction passes. Henry would glance at the distraction, but a quick ah-ah from me and waggle of the treat would get his eyes back on me. If he was MOSTLY good I'd give him that treat and then another.

LG, -,Did you use the WMDWL harness with the long lead? I got into a bit of a muddle as it tended to trail down and he, and I, kept getting tangled up. I used a Ruffwear harness for the long lead as it gives a bit more support if they're running and the lead runs out , and  I use the WMDWL for normal lead. Humphrey's now got a lead/collar/ harness wardrobe to compete with Barbie Doll but I do actually use them all on different occasions, (WMDWL is the best thing ever invented since Cocker Spaniels!!!!!!)

[lescef]

Maddie  always tries to get to other dogs when we walk the streets. At least here you have some control though. I think Charlie is what they would call a frustrated greeter. Try to put more space between you and the other dog. Then teach as alternative behaviour to take his mind off the other dog - walking watch is a good one, or throw kibble in the grass and get him to sniff it out. If the excitement continues we sit and just wait until we're calm. This takes some practice but they learn. Good luck!

[Londongirl]

Another vote for the harness - the Walk Your Dog With Love is great. Much less pulling and excitement. When you see another dog or person coming, get him to sit and get his attention on you. I hold a super favourite treat right up to my nose so he has to look at it. Keep him looking at you as much as you can until the distraction passes. Henry would glance at the distraction, but a quick ah-ah from me and waggle of the treat would get his eyes back on me. If he was MOSTLY good I'd give him that treat and then another.

LG, -,Did you use the WMDWL harness with the long lead? I got into a bit of a muddle as it tended to trail down and he, and I, kept getting tangled up. I used a Ruffwear harness for the long lead as it gives a bit more support if they're running and the lead runs out , and  I use the WMDWL for normal lead. Humphrey's now got a lead/collar/ harness wardrobe to compete with Barbie Doll but I do actually use them all on different occasions, (WMDWL is the best thing ever invented since Cocker Spaniels!!!!!!)

I did EXACTLY the same as you. Ruffwear harness for the long lead and the WYDWL for the short lead for street walks. I don't like letting him run free in the WYDWL harness. For some reason he walks a bit funny in it, hitching one leg up a bit perfectly normal when he runs flat out, just walking is weird. Plus it does trail into puddles etc! So now we still use the Ruffwear harness for walks when he is mostly running free and getting filthy and the WYDWL for his afternoon walk around the neighbourhood. Different leads for each.

I wonder if I should change him onto a different front lead harness if the WYDWL is making him walk funny? I don't want to put his little joints under any strain. I'll start a new thread...
I did