Lab socialising problem

[Sussexboy]

Hi All, need to pick the collective brains here. My 3 year old lab has developed a problem in the last few months. Whenever we meet another dog while out walking he is straining at the lead and whining loudly trying to get to it, occasionally barking as well. He never used to do this. On the shoot he is as good as gold with other dogs. I don't know where to even start with this one.

 

Thanks

[jasons gold]

Hi All, need to pick the collective brains here. My 3 year old lab has developed a problem in the last few months. Whenever we meet another dog while out walking he is straining at the lead and whining loudly trying to get to it, occasionally barking as well. He never used to do this. On the shoot he is as good as gold with other dogs. I don't know where to even start with this one.

 

Thanks

 

 

As you get near, use something to take his mind off the situation, ie treats or his favourite toy then as you have passed and he has been good praise him

[UKPoacher]

Watch how he reacts when he fisrt sees another dog. Before he starts straining at the leash he will give some sort of sign that he has seen the dog and is thinking about what to do next. It could be that he pauses, lifts his head ora subtle movement of his ears. That is called the precursor. It is important to intervene at this time rather than after he has started to pull or whine at the other dog.

 

Once you've identified this you need to take action as soon as you see the pecursor. Try giving him a gentle jerk on the leash and say: "No!" in a gruff voice. If he does not respond to that next time nip his ruff and tell him: "No!" Either one of those should distract him and get him to focus on you. Use a diversion such as a treat or toy to get him focused on you and give him plenty of praise in a light voice whilever he is doing the right thing. Use the stern: "No!" if he reacts to the other dog.

 

Hopefully that should condition him into ignoring the other dogs. If it doesn't, you'll have to try stronger measures.

 

Best of luck.

[Cranfield]

Find a dog training class near you and take him along for a few sessions.

The general training routines will be fun for him, but the most important aspect is the socialising with other dogs.

This aspect is seen as important in all the dog classes I have ever taken dogs to.

[Sussexboy]

Thanks for the suggestions, I will try UKpoachers approach first. Can't find any local dog training classes around at the moment. Pity as I used to enjoy them in the past with a previous dog.