Seeing strangers

[delladooo]

I'm back again on the topic of meeting dogs when we're out (it's been a while but our issue has evolved).

Whilst we do occasionally have the odd dog appear that I don't react fast enough too we're generally very good at being on lead when there are other dogs. I'm currently using a 2m lead with those loops to shorten it, very handy. But, I have a few questions.

First off, a bit of a rant, I ended up shouting at a guy last week as his dog followed us across the park and he just watched it with no attempt to get the dog or intervene. The dog was friendly and I think wanted my treats more than Laufey, in the end I was sat on the floor feeding Laufey to keep him distracted with this westie laid next to me (!!!) and the guy still not doing anything, in the end the shouting occurred when he didn't understand why I wanted him to get his dog back and in response to my reasoning of it's rude and unsafe as well as not good for Laufey I got told I should socialise him more; hence the shouting. Luckily Laufey was extremely well behaved that day and I managed to calm down myself before he managed to do anything to irritate me more and loose my temper at him (blessing). But, any advice getting away from persistent dogs?

But, onto the main point here. Keeping him on lead has had an odd effect, whilst he'll stop and look at me more now as opposed to lunging for the dog, he's also taken to whining and barking and the odd howl at dogs to try and make them come play with him - should I be worried about this and how do I curb it?
Also, having him on lead around dogs at all times has meant that the odd 'surprise' has had him even more excited and even harder to recapture - it's taken him longer to come back and harder to get hold of him when he comes near you. I don't know what to try to keep him on lead but have more dog interaction to calm him down (if this'll happen??) without resorting to a flexi lead or long line, neither of which really appeal to me; the flexi for obvious reasons and the long line as I absolutely do not have the hang of it and we both end up tangled and Laufey chewing it. Any advice?

On a side note, we went to a fun dog show today (he won waggiest tail ) and he did miles better than I expected, he did want to meet dogs but he was very polite about it and his leave it has been improving dramatically as I managed to get him to leave dogs after only a short time, and some he didn't go to at all when I told him not to which was amazing

[Anatine]

Delladoooo, how old is Laufey now?
The not wanting to return could be part of adolescence. When young dogs start to become more independent they start to want to roam.
This happened for us with Quorra, at 7 months old, and we had to completely re-train her recall.

Also, I think the whine/bark/howl might be fustration, he just really wants to see those other dogs!! To curb it, I guess you just have to make sure nothing rewarding comes out of it. If the behaviour isn't reinforced, he'll soon realise there is no point.
I know it's difficult, but the only way we got Quorra to stop pulling towards other dogs was to not allow her any sort of self reward in interacting with them. No sniffs, nothing. So she soon learnt that not every dog on the street is a new playmate. I know it's difficult, and the surprises do happen, but I think you'll just have to continue what you're doing, and Laufey will calm down over time. It's not a quick fix, Quorra will occasionally relapse if there is too much stimulus in a short space of time. But she is better than she was before. I can't say the same will be true for Laufey, but to me it seems likely.
Obviously you know your own dog, and what he can handle, try not to push him too far. If you see another dog, see if he behaves better when you cross the road with him, away from the dog. The closeness of being on the same pavement may just push him over the edge.

As for the long line, I find I always have to be concentrating. Drop some as Laufey moves away, and reel it back in as he comes closer. He might not like the feeling of it dragging behind him, so try to keep it a little taught, so it doesn't drag. It definitely takes some practise. But I think it's better than him being off lead if he's being trouble to catch.

Well done for the dog show!! Sounds like Laufey did great

[delladooo]

He's 9 months now, and the adolescence was my first thought but I was confused as we have a brilliant recall without other dogs - to the point it's even getting good around out cats now (although one of them doesn't help as he instigates play a lot )

Generally he doesn't get rewarded for the noise - it seems to happen more the further the other dog is, but I was slightly concerned about the message it sent to people (although if people think he's not friendly so keep away I'm not about to correct them and encourage them near him). I think the noises are definitely a frustration thing on a walk as he's shown other examples of that but he does also bark at seemingly nothing in the garden, especially in the evening, and if the kids playing in the street are too close and loud to our front door, so I wondered if it was related.

He's getting better on the street when he's distracted with treats unless the other dog wants to see him too - in which case I usually get irritated if the other person lets them interact - but it's contained to mostly in the park. I'm really hoping this improves because I want him to be able to run free and it's just really frustrating that he stays so close without other dogs and if he goes off after birds he comes racing back but as soon as a dog is in the mix it all goes to pot, even with dogs he knows. We went to my cousin's the other day and played with Luna but we didn't stay long because they don't know how to stop and I'm worried it's going to become a habit of them chasing each other and biting at necks (I think this is normal puppy play but it's getting a bit out of hand and Luna is very persistent and always wants to have Laufey by the neck).

I might go back to the long line in open spaces and see how we go. The park's we usually go to have grassy areas split by playgrounds / tennis courts etc. so can usually use those to block him but there's a huge open field near us that I avoid for the number of dogs but if he's on a line I might be more confident at managing to control meetings. Should he be meeting dogs or does this just encourage him to meet more? I'm not sure whether it's better to avoid dogs or have controlled interaction because out and about I do see a lot of dogs going to up strange dogs

[Anatine]

I find with Quorra, even one sniff can make her more excited when she see's other dogs.
Obviously Laufey might be different, but it might be good to even stop controlled introductions, and see if it makes a difference.
The greeting for Quorra I guess is a form of self reward, and being able to greet a dog once means she wants to do it again, as it's more rewarding than treats or whatever toy I might have with me.

[delladooo]

I have been trying to stop all interaction (beyond the surprises where I can't get him away from a loose dog) but it seems like it was making him worse on the occasions we were surprised when he's been off lead.

Partly why it's so frustrating is because when he's on lead, he will ignore a dog for a treat, even if that dog is bum sniffing or sat next to him etc. but as soon as he's off his lead it all goes to pot