hi everyone
we have a puppy who we've had for a few months and we are having difficulty training him to stay with us on walks . he runs after any dog he sees and then we have to go and get him . if we let the other people pass while holding him and putting him on lead then he still goes after them and we are dragged along as he is a large dog (great dane). this problem is mainly with other dogs. i would really appreciate any help and ideas of how to train him to keep close and 'heel' at all times
thanks in advance

Hi Guest

Have you taken him to training classes, so that he knows how to recall back to you?  If not I would suggest this, it should be fun for both of you and teach him what a recall means.

Have you tried taking a pot of tidbits with you, give it a shake and call him, open it and give him a treat (make them tasty treats), don't fall into the trap of just calling him back to be put on the lead, try it at first when there are no distractions around.

If he is a puppy, it will be asking a bit much to keep him to heel at all times off lead, he will need some freedom.  Watch you don't over exercise him off lead, a large dog like that should have very restricted exercise while his bones are growing.

A halti will help you control him while on the lead.

Why don't you register as there are a few Great Dane owners on here who could advise you further.

Sandra

My dane is very dog orientated and would do anything for a bit of free play with another dog :)

She's only 4 months and her recall isn't good enough in the house to risk it outside but she's getting there. She has been to obedience classes and walks well on the lead but it will be a long time before I let her off!

Why don't you register and we can compare notes?