I’d like to hear anyone’s opinion on the following:
We have a 16-month-old Labrador dog who is very laid back in all ways except when it comes to other dogs. He is very, very enthusiastic when meeting them, so much so you’d think he’d never met one before!
We go mainly onto the beach where he will often make a 200yd sprint to bounce round them, however hard we encourage him to stay with us with treats, squeaky toys, super cheery voices etc. We have been using a long line to let him feel free but still maintain some control, and still letting him meet other dogs yet in a controlled way.
My first question is: I realise he is still young but are we doing the right thing?

This would have been my only question, but this morning I happened to meet a friend with her two dogs halfway on our walk. We decided to walk together a bit further. One of her dogs did not like our dog and kept having a go at him, just short of nipping. She did correct him and eventually put both hers onto flexi-leads, with our dog loose but not wishing to come anywhere close to me, never mind the other dogs!
We persevered, with hers happily trotting along and mine hanging back, still loose, looking worried. I kept encouraging him with treats to come to me which he did but he wasn’t too happy so eventually I put him on a lead too, so that he would stay with us all. Near the end, we met another lady walking with her three small dogs and mine was quite happy to sniff them and ‘mingle’ and seemed a bit more confident with the other two also. (Hope I haven’t lost anyone off here – getting a bit long winded I know!!)
When it came to leaving the dogs altogether, to go into the car, he didn’t want to.
So, if I happen to meet my friend again, what is the right thing to do?
Our dog does not retaliate in anyway, didn’t round on him or show any aggression at all (- not that I want him to). He doesn’t even bark yet!!! He really is a big softie.
Am I worrying over nothing?
Hope anyone who’s got to the end of this doesn’t mind sharing some advice.
Many thanks,
Sally.

HI Sally

YOur Lab sounds very normal to me, just very excited by the presence of other dogs which is also pretty normal at his age.

Don't worry too much if he doesn't get on with every single dog, Labs can be bouncy and it puts some dogs off and they get snappy. It's generally best for dogs to sort themselves out unless a particular dog has a particular aggression problem. The biggest probems are often caused by well-meaning owners (not necessarily you !! <G>) interfering.

To hellp you feel more confident, why not get a book on dog body language to start with? Then you will also be able to read signs that are not quite obviius such as a tense mouth.

Turid Rugaas did a little booklet called "On Talking Terms with Dogs: Calming Signals" .

Hopefully your dog will start to become better at noticing you, age is against perfection there just for the moment, but in the long run you could make yourslef much more interesting than other dogs..... my puppy was well into otehr dogs and went through the usual phase of not returningto me, and i kept a Kong on a rope for walks ONLY. She loves this and nowcomes back without fail. Mum and Kong = fun, tugs and long throws and she knows this is the only time she gets this.

After a few games, we pick up the Kong and keep it, then out it comes a bitlater.

Don't worry!! You sound as if everything is tickinig along niceley.

Thanks Lindsay,
I will certainly try and find the booklet you recommended.(Does it work on humans too do you think!)
This morning it was a three legged GWP who had him quaking in the sea!!
I suppose the more we meet the better really.
Is 10am too early for a G&T?!
Best wishes,
Sally.

I agree totally about the kong or ball on a rope which must ONLY be brought out for walks and always put away again after. My GSD pup has always been fearful of other dogs which causes her to lunge and bark...however, the ball and rope trick now means that if I see another dog I get her on the ball and she is occupied while we go past. I have to admit that I have never let my dogs interract willy nilly with other dogs - although your dog is friendly, it's other dogs you and owners ( ! ) you have to watch. Bad experiences could colour the way your dogs behaviour with other dogs develop....what you don;t want is your dog retaliating aggressively...it's not so bad, if it's dogs you walk with regularly, as like the other lady says, they usually find their own equilibrium and a little bit of telling off is what your puppy needs....but watch out for anything that goes beyond this...ultimately unless your dog is under control, you cannot engineer situations to make sure that your dog grows up well balanced and is reliable when it's mature. Definately the dog fixated on a toy and you're unlikely to have problems developing further.

One comment I must make. If you always stop your dog from assocating with other dogs you will have a dog which grows up not being able to assocate with others. Dogs MUST learn about other dogs or you will get problems.

John

Personally, I don't stop my dogs from associating with dogs all the time, but I don't allow my dogs to mix with strange dogs at all and in 17 years of dog owning, I don't find it hampers the dog's ability to mix as an adult. ( After all I used to compete at obedience shows and dogs need to be able withstand being around other dogs, - however, it is all in a controlled manner ). What does hamper their ability to mix nicely, I find anyway, is too much free for all running in an uncontrollable manner. As someone once said..." control the play, control the dog " Ultimately though, it's down to the individual owner to decide what level of control they require - I expect my dogs to obey me instantly and never to pester strange dogs. They are, however, allowed to be dogs...they get free running every day with eachother and friends dogs they know well.

My lot do associate willy nilly with the dogs we meet, it has taught them to understand other dogs, they will play with those who want to play, exchange pleasantries, or have a quick sniff with the dogs they meet, depending on the other dogs stance.

When they are young and do not yet know the social graces I encourage lots of calm controlled meetings with other dogs, so that when they are loose they do not get too excited and overpowering. Mine is a medium sized energetic breed, who do not naturally stay close at heel (understatement), they have never had a fight, have been set upon once or twice, but having stood their ground, and having had the other dog removed proceeded on their way, and have never borne grudges. They are confident, so do not seem to need to prove dominance over others, nor are they afraid, if a dog is aggressive they will avoid it, unless actually attacked when they will defend themselves, but happy to leave it at that once the other dog has stopped. I have travelled to shows and visited other canine households with all manner of breeds, from Dobermanns to Italian Greyhounds!

I know it is not natural for Canids to accept non pack members as friends, but we have changed our dogs quite a bit with domestication, and increased tolerance of others of its kind is part of this. It is also unatural for bitches and dogs to mate with others of the opposite sex willy nilly, as in the wild only an Alpha pair breed, but they do! We take our dogs out in Society, and the better they get on with other dogs, and the more positive experiences they have, the better proofed they are against the occasional not so good experience. Also a dog confident in this way is less likely to be picked upon by canine bullies, who in the most part are this way due to lack of socialisation.

I have a friend who's Golden Retriever bitch would bite any dog that came in reach! she had her at 1 year old, and she had not been socialised. when I kept my first puppy we met her and she fell in love with the non threatening pup. She learnt to play at 3 years old! We then introduced her to the pups mum, who she went for when the pup went to play with Mum. She was told off (my bitch had defended herself, but was happy to make friends) by the Humans, and we did not split them up, but kept a watch on any further interactions. she soon accepted Mum too. After a few months of socialising with these two I gradually allowed her to meet with nice dogs in the park, watching that she didn't snap. Now this bitch is reliable with other dogs, will tell off young Romeos or over bouncy youngsters in quite a restrained fashion, but mostly acts superior, with her nose in the air. She is now so confident that she sees no need to worry, and has no bullying tendencies either. Her only problem is that at 9 years old she still thinks she is a puppy 9missed out on childhood) and I have to save her from herself, as she had hurt herself twisting and playing with young dogs, last year she tore a ligament, and had to miss out playing with my full grown exuberant 'boomerang' bitch, she is now staying with me for a week, and now that the youngster is more sensible I have no fears for her.

My youngest is now nearly two, and came back to me at 8 1/2 months old, so she did tend to be a bit pushy at first (no prior training) but my own dogs soon taught herhow to behave with her own kind by telling her off, so apart from at first being a bit noisy when meeting other dogs, asking them to play from a few feet away, no problems with other dogs! A problem i had for first few weeks was overexuberance with any person who made eye contact with her, she would tigger them! This only happened if the peopleacknowledged her in some way. after effusive appologies, and more training, she now responds well, even at distance to the command of Steady!!!

Hi Sally, I think you have a normal labrador there ;)
My lab will walk to heel, retrieve, recall brilliantly, but put another dog in sight and she conveniently forgets any training. She is now 3. :o I think the main thing is to work on the recall, that way at least you can call them back. I've been reading lots of the other threads about unruly dogs. I find mine is better off the lead, but I would always put her on the lead if the other person already had their dog on a lead, as I don't think its fair that my dog goes racing up to one on a lead.
I now have a five month old lab puppy, who is far better behaved than her mother. She doesn't run off or chase other dogs (yet) ;)
Good luck
Lorna

Hi Lorna,
I find a pocket full of chicken, cheese and a squeaky toy usually works as a good incentive with our Lab. As you can imagine, I have big (smelly)pockets!!
We too, out of courtesy, always put ours on a lead if a dog comes into view that is already on a lead, as we are pretty sure he would head off in their direction. His recalls when other dogs are about are very, very, very slowly improving but anything positive is good I think!
Thanks again,
Sally.

I have two tibetan terriers aged two - litter sisters. Neither of them have shown any aggression towards other dogs but when out on walks will rush up to other dogs barking with enthusiasm. If the other dogs do not respond all is well and they all get on. If the other dog respond mine get worse. I appreciate that to other dogs and owners mine seem threatening and if I see another dog coming I will turn around and go the other way. Walking is not the pleasure it should be. Any help?
P.S. I did all the puppy things - socialisation classes etc