I live on a country road where most of the people leave their dogs run free, for the most part the dogs are older mutts that don’t usually cause too much of a problem. A firm “No” sends them back to their own yards. The other day while walking Buddy, we were approached by two golden retrievers that I hadn’t seen before. The male kept his distance but the female was bound and determined to get close to Buddy and I was not about to allow her near. After going around with her several times, I finally got irritated and went at her with a firm “BACK OFF” and her and the male took off for home.

What I find interesting is Buddy’s reaction after it was over. We started walking off when I happen to look down at him and his expression made me laugh. He was 100% focused on me and stayed that way for the remainder of our walk. His eyes were real bright, ears up and very alert. Almost as if I had really made an impression on him. Silly question but does anyone else notice a change in their dogs demeanor right after your having to run off approaching dogs?

Absolutely. By fulfilling your duties as a leader, you gain respect.

I have a MAJOR issue where I live. 3 houses away, our neighbor has about 4 pit bulls. through out the day at spontaneous moments, he lets his dogs roam freely. he has no fence or gate or nothing. these dogs "seem" ok, but I never trusted a loose dog. further up the street, another guy has some kind of little mixed breed that he too lets roam the streets. I have alerted the local animal control. the next step is to get pictures of the dogs loose and submit them to the office.

kids and elderly people pass by everyday. its danger even if at this point the seem calm.

 Quote: PeggyBayer

Silly question but does anyone else notice a change in their dogs demeanor right after your having to run off approaching dogs?

luc usually looks a combination of relaxed and smug. he's also PERFECT in all his commands after.

Yes - Relaxed... it's such a good feeling to get from them too - really lets you visualize their trust in you.

~Natalya

One sort of O/T question. How did you get Buddy to not approach the Goldens? How did you train him to let you handle it?

When I see an off leash dog, my dog/s lunge to the end of their leash (yeah, they aren't trained) and most of my attention is spent trying to control them/keep them away from the other dog. I don't like them going near other dogs not only because of potential aggression but also because of disease/parasites.

If my dogs are in the yard, (which backs onto a city park) and someone with a loose dog walks by, they go zooming to the back fence at 100 miles an hour and by the time I catch up to them at the fence, they are either crazy because the loose dog is sniffing at them, or the person and dog have passed.

So I would be interested in what steps you took in order for Buddy to stay back and let you handle it.

Good job, by the way. Sounds like your dog really respects you!!

 Quote: Angela Burrell

One sort of O/T question. How did you get Buddy to not approach the Goldens? How did you train him to let you handle it?

When I see an off leash dog, my dog/s lunge to the end of their leash (yeah, they aren't trained) and most of my attention is spent trying to control them/keep them away from the other dog. I don't like them going near other dogs not only because of potential aggression but also because of disease/parasites.

If my dogs are in the yard, (which backs onto a city park) and someone with a loose dog walks by, they go zooming to the back fence at 100 miles an hour and by the time I catch up to them at the fence, they are either crazy because the loose dog is sniffing at them, or the person and dog have passed.

So I would be interested in what steps you took in order for Buddy to stay back and let you handle it.

Good job, by the way. Sounds like your dog really respects you!!

You answered your own question, the dog respects him. The only way it can happen is thru bonding and ALOT of obedience work.

Thank you, With so many loose dogs in our neighborhood I have had a lot of practice keeping other dogs from approaching him.

I give him the "leave it" command if he starts to stare at another dog to help keep the situation under control. I can only remember one time when he growled at another dog and I corrected him for that. Now he just stays behind me and doesn't make a sound nor does he attemp to go toward the other dogs. It also helps that he is not dog aggessive either.

So I guess it was my being consistant with this since he was a young pup that he stays out of my way and lets me handle it.

Good Luck,

Good Luck,