Need advice for when we are walking

[Malamum]

When I take Indy walking - I hate coming across other dogs as Indy just goes nuts. He barks, woo-woos, jumps up and down and just generally goes crazy.

Now I wouldn't say he is dog aggressive at all. He has had plenty of socialisation and when allowed to interact with dogs there is no problem. If I let him go up to the dogs he is going crazy about all he wants to do is play but I don't want him carrying on like this. I decide when he is allowed to socialise with another dog, not him. I am starting to get very embarrassed and feel like people are looking at me thinking I have an out of control dog. :oops:

I take him to obedience classes once a week and also practice his commands at home so he really is very well behaved 99% of the time, it's just when we see other dogs when walking all bets seem to be off. I've tried the ”leave it” command, telling him “lets go” and keeping on walking but nothing seems to work. What am I doing wrong and what should I be doing instead?

[DogPaddle]

Kavik was the same - not dog aggressive just very much wanted to meet the other dog whether I wanted him to or not, bouncing all over the place, pulling, barking like Bast herself were standing. The only thing that worked for him was a halti, I don't have to correct him he just is calmer when he wears it, I think it indicates to him we are working or at least he should be making paying attention to me his priority. As we are weening him off the halti we are finding the behaviour is holding so while I don't know why the halti does seem to be a solution for us.

[mouseatthebusstop]

I HAVE BEEN THERE TOO :oops: JUST CARRY-ON WITH THE "LEAVE IT"
COMMAND HE WILL GET THE MESSAGE AND STOP ONE DAY SOON

[Guest Anonymous]

I use the "on by" command... learned it when I taught Hazel carting... pretty much the same as "leave it" 'cept Leave It means to leave something alone, "On By" means to keep walking by something and ignore it. Took a long time, and it's still not 100% corrected, but she's getting better :wink:

[Malamum]

Thanks guys, I'll think I'll start using the On By command. He is very good with the Leave It when it comes to food but dogs.... well that's a different story. It might help to have the two different commands so will start with that today.

He is still only fairly young (9 months) so really hoping he grows out of it.

[snowdogs]

Both of my huskies are like that too. But the leave it command works pretty good for them. I also use the haltie on the one, that helps a lot. They will start to get excited and I tell them to leave it and give a tug on the leash and we walk on by. So just work with him. Mine are 18months and 26 months old.

[Prairie_Gurl]

Yea, Rocky is the same way. I TRY to keep his attention on me, but that works as well as tryin to teach a bear to sing the national anthem while on skates. Just doesn't happen. He isn't very food motavated either, so that doesn't work. When I get a head collar for Shadow's dog aggression, I might have to try it on him, but I think he'll just yank his head off. *sigh* But, you just gotta luv him!!!

[Bubblezzz]

Can anybody tell me what a 'halti' is??!

[bk_blue]

A Halti is very similar to a Gentle Leader. Both are head halters that connect to the lead underneath the chin of the dog, and are designed to stop the dog from pulling (if he pulls it's uncomfortable as his neck twists round). Hope this helps. :)

[snowpaws]

Malamum,
If your dog has a favourite treat or toy you could try using that to distract his attention away from the dog and onto you, whilst also using the leave or on by command. Then, when he leaves the dog give him the reward.
Hopefully he'll get it, but I guess mals are the same as huskies...stubborn!!
Good luck, snowpaws