I have a 9month staffy, who is very friendly, so much so that when I walk him off the lead at the park, he rushes over to greet anyone he sees (man or dog).  I shout at him to stop, but once the idea's in his head, he's gone and I can't catch up with him.  I've been told that I shouldn't tell him off when he comes back, as he'll associate returning with something bad happening.  Does anybody have any suggestions on training him not to do this?  Thanks.

Hi Charly

If you do a "search" (click link at top of page) and put in "Recall" you will find lots of threads on this subject that should help you.

Hi

I also have a 9 month old staffie who does the same!

I had some great advice on here with regards to recall.
I take Sox into the garden with some treats and make him sit, take a few steps back and then hold out the treat saying 'come'. Giving him lots of praise when he comes. I then extend how far back I move from him - we are now at opposite ends of the garden!

I then started taking him to the park and have let him off a few times. I make sure he has lots of toys that will keep his attention. I also ensure that I am in a reasonably quiet or closed in area so as not to over excite him. I go armed with treats in case of emergencies!

Generally he is very good but even yesterday I let him off and he was gone. Unknown to me he had spotted a tennis ball and had gone to retrieve it. When he had it and I called he came back. He always does come back but it doesnt stop him running in the first place. He will calm down as he gets older.

Remember he is still young and bouncy and the positive in this is that he is being friendly and not being aggressive.

Good Luck

our 14 month old Staff was exactly the same until about 2 months ago. If she saw another dog she was off to say hello and there was nothing we could do about it. Her recall was always good providing there was nothingelse more interesting nearby and herein lies the problem. As the months have gone on she has got much better,age does improve the behaviour. Now if I want her to come to me when there is a dog she is interested in, I call her and turn my back and move away, I keep calling her and she comes immediately whether there is a dog there or not. I have also used a tennis ball before now , by throwing it in the air it would divert her attention and move her away from the other dog and then I could call her to me.
Warning: Staffs are stubborn creatures and there will never be 100% success in this, at least I dont think so

Thanks for your advice.  I think I'll give the recall training a go.  I do have another staff who is nearly 2.  She was the same, but grew out of it.  I just want him to come back when I say, as it's quite scary for other people when he bundles over to them.  Once, he chased a boy to play with him, he was being friendly, but the boy started running away and he ran after him.  In the end, after about 3 laps round the park, I managed to get the boy to stop and my pup stopped and I got him back.  He's also been snapped at by some unfriendly dogs, which still doesn't seem to stop him.