cptrohn+Bo

Ok, about 30 minutes ago I was working with Bo, I've been trying to get him to do a good loose leash heel.


Another guy was walking his dog down the street, he swung wide to avoid us and Bo just freaked out, very aggressive barking at the other dog... it was dark outside so I don't know if it was another male or not.

He was very excited tonight about his walk and I was having trouble getting him to concentrate on working.


I had him doing a pretty good loose leash earlier today in the back yard and was trying it in the front yard...


Currently we are working just basically walking taking a step, then a click and a treat. Another step and a click and a treat and so on.


The only other time he freaked on another dog was when they were off lead and he was on, but the other dog made no agrressive gestrures and was actually a good dog and kept walking with his master.


We were working on our front sidewalk though so maybe it was just a territorial thing and they were complete strangers.

RedFawnRising

Hard to read this situation, without being there.

Could have been announcing his territory, could have been a reaction to the other dog's handler, not even the dog. Could have been the way you're seeming to interpret it, which was mouthing off to possibly another male dog.

Just hard to say--the most important thing would be how you reacted and what Bo's response then was.

Did you use a "Leave it" command? (Does he know that yet?)

Did you get attention back fairly quickly? End the training session on a good note?

If so, I wouldn't get overly worried about it.

I find all pups regress (otherwise known as forgetting everything they've ever been taught, heh) when moving the training venue to a higher distraction area.

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ellenm

Mine definitely "stare" when I am working them out front and someone walks by with a dog....Rex actually has more trouble with a kid on a dreaded skateboard or bike zooming by!

I just use "leave it" and have them turn their attention to me once they have checked out with a quick glance what is coming by. It was not an instant behavior change, but both of them now know to turn to me and keep working. I'd just work on the leave it command and go back to what you were doing with heeling.

Kratty

I have had some mixed reactions from a young dog, when training/socializing when its dark out. One night we were in the town square socializing with a few locals, when two guys were coming towards us and one was waving his arms around and making goofy sounds. This just set my Alexis off. Since these were isolated incidents, its more than likely that the darkness is contributing to the confusion. This doesn't happen during the day light hours.

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feuerhund

Maby his prey dirve is higher than his food drive. maby the other dog outweighs his desire for a treat. Maby an alternative method should be tried like training the dog to focus up at you rather than a morsel. Just a thought.

cptrohn+Bo

Yes, I am trying to make sure he is focusing on me in those situations, I'll give him a touch on his hindquarters to bring his attention back to me...


Just something we have to work on... Bo is a smart boy though... He'll get it.