Help needed

[Debbie123]

Hi there ,
I have a 6mth old cocker up until now I have had no problems with him at all ,we have been to puppy class done a distraction class and he has done very well in both ,he walks well on and off his lead has good recall and I have socialised him from 8 wks old taken him every where .
Last week we took him on hols with us in our touring caravan which Baxter settles very well in .
On a evening everyone who has a dog go to a field and let's there dogs off and they all have a run round Baxter is always very submissive lays on his back when anyone comes to sniff him but always runs around enjoying it but gets very nervous when any off them bark ,a couple of times he ran under the gate when this happened with his tail between his legs but when we shouted him he would stop and wait for us , but today we came home and I took him to our usual field and a dog came on and wasn't so friendly with him and started to chase him ,Baxter just freaked out he shot off straight through the gate crossing a busy road ,no matter how much I shouted he just ran out of sight luckily someone I knew in a car had seen him running so took me to where she saw him go and as it turned out he had ran home and was sat on my door step waiting for me ,what a fright he had to cross two roads to get home how he never got knocked down I'll never know but thank god he was ok
The thing is now how do I re train recall given that fright from another dog causes him to  bolt .
Thanks for listening X

[bizzylizzy]

O'h good heavens, poor Baxter and poor you, what an awful thing to happen!!
I think there are lot of people on here more qualified to give you advice and I'm sure someone will be along soon. Just wanted to show a bit of support and hope little Baxter will learn that not all the other dogs are nasty so he can enjoy socializing again. Such a shame that his confidence has been knocked, poor little lad!,

[lescef]

Hi. Bless him. Both mine have  bolted when chased by another dog, fortunately not across a road. So glad he's ok.
 I think you have two issues to work on - the recall and rebuiding his confidence around other dogs. Lots of people on here use the long line method, or you can work on whistle training.  (There's a sticky about it on the top of the behaviour and training page)
I would be careful when you go back to the same area again. Baxter will remember what he did. They pick up all the bad habits so quickly!
I'm trying to rebuild Maddie's confidence around other dogs. We go and watch dogs from a distance and reward her when she's calm. If you have some friends with calm dogs then some walking then off lead play, well supervised might help.

[Markr64]

What a tale of terror, I would start off by looking for another place for the moment so as not to bring back the terror for poor Baxter. Start from the beginning with a long lead and redo the recall training. I would also find some locals with very friendly soft dogs to rebuild Baxter's trust in other dogs as he may find meeting any dog now a difficult experience.

I am pleased he had the good sense to go home and not just run of in blind terror, that should give you hope that he has a very good head and knows what is what.

[Pearly]

Glad you are both ok and Baxter made his way home, I can only imagine the thoughts about his safety that you've gone through.

Not all dogs are sociable or friendly and sadly, not all owners are responsible (as the news tonight reminds us).  I appreciate you want Baxter to be a well rounded boy but you have already achieved this as he's six months old and being walked where other dogs are.....it a misconception that our dogs need to go out and play with the other nice doggies in the park  . I was just the same with my first cocker but after he second arrived and I realised the difference between a working dog and a "pet" the penny also dropped that "socialising my pup" was actually about me and my need to prove she was sociable with other dogs.  You may have different reasons for taking Baxter out but I would follow Markr64 advice and consider an obedience class, with a positive trainer who supervises all dog interaction to rebuild his confidence.  Otherwise, he really doesn't need to meet other dogs unless you regularly meet up with friends who have dogs 

Jayne

[ejp]

I am coming at this from a different perspective, but it may help.  We adopted a scared fear aggressive cocker, and with the help of a good behaviourist/trainer, we were able to go to classes to help her learn about other dogs.  She now has two dog friends, but that took almost a year to happen, as she is very reactive.  I don't worry about her mixing in, she is happy with just us, and if that is all she ever does, fine.  Baxter has had a fright, and I would take it slowly with the help of a good positive reinforcement style class and trainer.  There are so many ill mannered people, who seem to lack basic common sense that things will happen.  But if you have the confidence to cope with that then your life, and Baxter's will be so much easier.  I felt the classes were as much for me (probably more for me) than Daisy.  Take it slow and steady, and you will both be fine.

[Debbie123]

Thanks everyone ,I think I have got over the shock now and realised how clever he actually was finding his way home like he did and how lucky we are that he never got hurt .
I have been back to the field and put him on a long lead and he was fine a very vocal dog came on and Baxter just sat with me so I think he actually feels better on his lead ,for at least at the moment anyway , I just wanted him to enjoy running around and playing with other dogs but you are right not all dogs are friendly  as my litle Baxter is now finding out ,so it's back to the beginning for us to build his confidence i am also changing my walk and not going to the field most times then it's more about me and Baxter rather than meeting lots of dogs xx

[l3w15t]

Hi, my gosh, quite a shock and glad he wasn't hurt.  He certainly is a clever boy for knowing where home was which he clearly sees as a safe place.  I agree with the comments here, try something much quieter and build it back up again to a level both you and him feel happy with. A small pack walk perhaps with 1-2 other friendly dogs and practicing a recall during the walk (with a high value treat) and plenty of positive reinforcement should help a lot.  You could also try making him sit and watch other dogs play from a distance whislt calming him down - essentially trying to say 'look at them, it's ok, they're just playing and we're just watching today, stay calm' - by doing this they should hopefully learn to remain calm despite being excited and also when it's time to walk on he'll get used to coming with you. 

I agree also that some other owners aren't responsible    Makes me very cross and I could rant on all day about it!

Ahem, anyway.  Best of luck with it and look forward to hearing about your progress.