My puppy still excitedly lunges at people and dogs on walks

"Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo" (thetomselleck)
07/06/2016 at 18:59 • Filed to: Puppy

We have tried many many things but the situation had not improved. Help.

DISCUSSION (44)

facw > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
07/06/2016 at 19:04

Have you tried one of those head collar/halter things (with the loop that goes over the dog’s nose)? They are supposed to work wonders.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > facw
07/06/2016 at 19:07

We have one but we all hate it and I only put it on when she loses her “right” to walk without it after misbehaving. Even then, I have physical control but still no true command in that instant of her locking eyes with something she wants.

Rico > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
07/06/2016 at 19:10

You just have to give them time to mature. Mine did this until almost 2 maybe a bit before that. Just keep reinforcing that it’s not good to do that.

Keep the command simple like “Down!”. Make sure you AND anyone else who is around your dog is using the same commands, don’t confuse them. For example my dog use to get up on the couches, I would say down and my mom would say “Get off!” My dog doesn’t know what get off means, he just sees my mom is angry.

And also you have to use a really stern voice. Like enough to scare the shit out of them when you raise your voice because it's so unexpected, you have to show them you are the Alpha by being loud, clear and stern and don’t smile when you say it and look directly at them when you say it. Same goes for your wife or anyone else handling the dog.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
07/06/2016 at 19:10

My dog does that too, but he is cute and people want to pet him and he also just wants to smell butt so it really has not been a problem.

Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
07/06/2016 at 19:10

Choke collar

https://lifeco.us/product/coasta…

Ended my dog’s desire to pull at people/dogs in a few months. It did not end her pulling towards certain places though (the playground)

vicali > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
07/06/2016 at 19:11

EZwalk harness.

Kinja'd!!!

‘Changed our Lab from a Husky to a Heeler..’

^that should be their slogan, make the cheques out to vicali please.

jvirgs drives a Subaru > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
07/06/2016 at 19:12

Well at least it’s not the Celica with that problem

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > vicali
07/06/2016 at 19:15

We’ve been using that since nearly day one though.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras
07/06/2016 at 19:16

We have one. Mixed results but some success . I might pick it up again though.

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
07/06/2016 at 19:17

I think I have something for you. Cost us like $8 on Amazon. It’s a collar that has little plastic “teeth” on it. When the dog pulls it kinda pokes them in the neck and makes them stop. Within 5 minutes it changed both our young dogs who used to be just like your puppy.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000A6…

Steve in Manhattan > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
07/06/2016 at 19:18

Watch a season or two of Cesar Milan - he gives good advice on how to control your dog, and be the leader of your pack.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
07/06/2016 at 19:18

It is a problem for us because she still jumps on people/dogs half the time. Not acceptable behavior. If she reached her desired mammal and then lied down or sniffed butt, I would feel better

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > jvirgs drives a Subaru
07/06/2016 at 19:18

Something something mustang something something COTD fp

Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
07/06/2016 at 19:19

It didn’t do shit for my dog when we first got her and started walking her. It took continual walks with her (morning, afternoon, afternoon pt2, and night) until she got it.

jvirgs drives a Subaru > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
07/06/2016 at 19:21

Halfnakedwomanwithsportscar.jpg

4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
07/06/2016 at 19:22

I’m not one for recommending special leads or collars, especially when it’s behavioural rather than just for managing the strength of the dog. Does she know any commands? Is it aggressive lunging, or more ‘I want to meet you and play with you'?

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > 4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30
07/06/2016 at 19:24

It’s the latter. It’s pure unadulterated joy when she meets new people and dogs. She knows many commands, but some of them go out the window when I need them most, namely, in social situations that require me to be a competent dog owner.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras
07/06/2016 at 19:26

Hmm. I’ll try it again tonight. Because she at leaSt will still enjoy her walk with the choke collar. The face harness thing, which does work well to achieve a calmer dog, just makes her miserable and I don’t feel too hot either. Yeah I want an obedient dog but I also want her to not hate activities that should be enjoyable.

4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
07/06/2016 at 19:29

“She knows many commands, but some of them go out the window when I need them most, namely, in social situations that require me to be a competent dog owner.”

This is just dogs. Always an utter embarrassment at the first opportunity, don’t worry about it!

It’s good that she takes commands well, is she often in social situations without her lead on, or does it tend to stay on for dog walks?

TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts. > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
07/06/2016 at 19:29

Probably best if you take a puppy training course if you haven’t already, it helps train the owners as well as the dogs.

Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
07/06/2016 at 19:30

Understandable. If you startit again, you have to stick with it. We didnt take the choke colloar off her until she was about 3, a good 2 years after we got her.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts.
07/06/2016 at 19:32

Not only did we do a puppy training course, but we finished it...

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > 4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30
07/06/2016 at 19:34

Leash on always, everywhere (except inside). She has the Level Ten wanderlust... We used to have her in the yard off leash, until she sprang for freedom and almost ran out in front of a car.

My bird IS the word > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
07/06/2016 at 19:34

Kinja'd!!!

You did check the dog’s tire pressure right?

TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts. > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
07/06/2016 at 19:34

Hmmm, might need to stick with the choke collar for a long time until you’re sure the bad habit has been broken

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras
07/06/2016 at 19:35

THAT’S SO LONG FROM NOW THOUGH

MY ENTIRE FAMILY IS COMING TO VISIT SOON AND MY DOG IS GOING TO MAUL THEM ALL WITH HER LACK OF RESTRAINED LOVE

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > My bird IS the word
07/06/2016 at 19:36

No but if you check my blood pressure, it’ll break that gage

Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
07/06/2016 at 19:37

my dog did the same...the family kinda got use to the “OH MY GOD MORE PEOPLE TO PET ME. I NEED TO JUMP ALL OVER YOU” reactions.

Patience is a virtue

Chuckles > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
07/06/2016 at 19:38

Does she still try to lunge even with the collar that attaches under her chin?

4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
07/06/2016 at 19:45

Is there anywhere outside of the home that you can let her off to run free and socialise with other dogs safely? Take some treats with you and make sure she knows which pocket they’re in, and if you can find space alone to let her off then do so, and constantly call her back with her treat command, making a big show of putting your hand in your treat pocket and giving her one. I know it sounds weird but dogs who stay on leaders permanently don’t see any boundaries of when and how to act. If the lead is on all the time and she wants to go somewhere then she’ll just do it. If there’s a bit more freedom there to do what she wants to do off the lead, then there’s a strong likelihood that she’ll take commands better when on the leader, knowing that she has her free time when off the lead. It’s also a lot better for her to expend as much energy as possible, and a young pup just wants to run.

Not preaching btw, I’m no expert, but I’ve had quite the selection of dogs over the years and they’ve all been weird and loony with odd ticks and habits in some way or another.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Chuckles
07/06/2016 at 19:53

Only the first time. Then she’s like “oh that’s right.” But then she’ll go apeshit and try to pull it off her face

Dr Emilio Lizardo > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
07/06/2016 at 20:03

Adorable. If she lunged at me I would pet her for hours. Which would probably not teach her to lunge more.

Funktheduck > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
07/06/2016 at 20:03

Clicker with treat. Use clicker to get attention, make sit (if can), give treat until person passes.

When someone is approaching turn around and walk other direction.

You can also do what is usually referred to as “crazy walk”. Do this at home and just walk around changing direction at random intervals and without warning. Teaches them to watch you

facw > Steve in Manhattan
07/06/2016 at 20:11

Except his stuff is opposed by pretty much every reputable dog organisation. It’s damaging pseudoscience based on a discredited study of wolves.

Chuckles > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
07/06/2016 at 20:37

My family had a very high energy dog (half chocolate lab, half golden retriever). We had to use that type of collar for as long as she lived (not around the house, just on walks). She never loved it, but she did eventually accept as part of going on a walk. That probably took a solid 2 years though. I wish you good luck.

Cash Rewards > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
07/06/2016 at 20:53

Get friends to walk up to her with treats, but she only gets them if she stays at your side (or seated) while they walk up.

Steve in Manhattan > facw
07/06/2016 at 20:54

Did not know that ....

TheRealBicycleBuck > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
07/06/2016 at 20:56

It sound like she needs some etiquette lessons. You may need to recruit some friends to help. Teach her to sit and stay when she meets someone new. Have that someone give her a treat for good behavior. Have that someone turn his/her back for bad behavior.

We’ve had to deal with this when someone comes to the door. Our problem wasn’t meet & greet excitement, it was someone is entering her territory and she needed to protect us from them. It took some time, but now I can tell her to sit and she will stay until I release her.

Another couple of handy commands are “out” and “drop it”. We also broke her from nipping when she was little. I can put my hand in her mouth without fear of her biting down even if we’ve been wrestling or playing tug-of-war with her rope.

She doesn’t attack pillows or furniture, but heaven help you if you are a fluffy toy.

Kinja'd!!!

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Steve in Manhattan
07/06/2016 at 21:36

My wife is also not a fan. We want to kill my dog with kindness, calmness, and complied control.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Dr Emilio Lizardo
07/06/2016 at 21:37

Don’t worry we have plenty of friends and family that do that. AND YOU ARE CORRECT IT IS NOT HELPFUL

Dr Emilio Lizardo > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
07/06/2016 at 21:47

We had an Irish Setter who I described as “aggressively friendly.” Many people liked it. Some did not. A few would say “I don’t like dogs” and I would tell them “it’s ok, he likes you."

Frenchlicker > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
07/06/2016 at 22:58

As soon as I get my own place I am signing my crazy dog up for Cesar Milan. Hopefully he can break him. It would be interesting to get on one of his shows though.

StndIbnz, Drives a MSRT8 > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
07/07/2016 at 08:39

Squirt bottle to the face. Honestly, thats what our dog trainer taught us, along with a noise (which is akin to the pack leaders growl). Doesn’t work on all dogs, my Pit mix hates it and learns quick, my other mutt hates it and it will work sometimes. Keep a little bottle in your pocket and when your dog is about to lunge, quick squirt and noise.

LimitedTimeOnly @ opposite-lock.com > Funktheduck
07/07/2016 at 09:13

I agree with this, positive reinforcement. This approach requires exposure to the stimulus to de-sensitize the dog. We had to take our dog to an outdoor mall every night for months to make it so that people are not such a novelty. Dogs are still a challenge, he really wants to play.