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December 10, 2013

I hike with my dog off leash. If I don't get him when we approach another dog, he runs at them and barks. He doesn't listen to me when I tell him to come. Is this because he doesn't look at me as Alpha? Any ideas?

Full Question:

Hi Ed & Cindy,

I have a 2-year old GSD. When I hike with him and there is an approaching dog, I immediately put him on leash. If I don't get him in time, he runs up barking and carrying on. If the other dog doesn't take kindly to this, my dog will run back to me, but if the other dog runs, he will chase and run it into the ground. He won't bite, but I want to correct this. I usually walk the other way and call him and he eventually comes. Is this because he doesn't look at me as Alpha? If I take him to a new place (kennel, etc.), he's very submissive and hides behind me until he gets familiar. He's very strange... I just don't know which it is... dog aggression or not. Any ideas? Thanks in advance!

Ed's Answer:

We walk our dogs every day. Usually from 3 to 6 miles. Our dogs are not off leash unless we are in an area that we 110% know is secure and free of stray dogs.

In your case – get a flexi lead or long line and keep the dog on leash. Flexi leads can be dangerous if you don’t manage them properly. I hate to be blunt and don’t want to offend, but you have an untrained dog. If you can’t call him back from a distraction he is not trained. Therefor he should be on leash.

We sell a DVD on Training the Recall if you're interested.

Regards,
Ed Frawley

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