Harley's recall has gone.

zebidee1

pulliptears wrote: »

If yours came to investigate mine, who is on lead at all times there is a fair chance mine would bite yours and it would be entirely your fault.

This is partly why the trainer told us to always put him on a lead if other dogs came into sight, until we ascertained if it was ok for them to mix.

Also, in case the other owner was irresponsible and their dog was off lead and might attack.

bagginslover wrote: »

I think whoever you had walk your dog is rather irresponsible for 1. Allowing your dog to behave this way, and 2. For not telling you they were having problems. Dogs need constant training and reinforcement, and all they have done is teach your dog it's ok to ignore a recall.

I agree with you.

Dug our old long line out of the shed and will be off with it shortly.

bagginslover wrote: »

Also, I think the other walker is partly to blame for the situation you found yourselves in, if she knows her dog will attack, it should be on lead at all times.

I thought that too but didn't want to say so in case people thought I was trying to pass the buck. I take full responsibility for my dog's actions but I do think she had a part to play too.

ali-t

bagginslover wrote: »

Back to basics I'm afraid. A long line will be good for him to have some freedom whilst retraining him, and will also help to reinforce the training (if he doesn't come when called, you can 'remind' him with the line).

ditto this. If you are walking in a field or open space a very long line can be used so the dog almost has freedom but not quite. If you feed your dog kibble it might be worth giving him very small meals and taking the rest out on walks with you and using as treats, practicing recall all the time, not just when there is a distraction in the vicinity.

OP: Every so often I will do this on a walk and can call back every couple of minutes or even a couple of times a minute. the idea is to get the recall instant in the dogs mind, as soon as he hears your call/whistle he is back at you getting rewarded. Sorry if this sounds like teaching granny to suck eggs but if the dog is only recalled when there is another dog around you will never be able to make yourself more interesting than the distraction.

I totally understand the reaction of the other owner as I am the same and have witnessed similar anxiety from other staff (and any breed with a 'reputation') owners. IF there had been a skirmish or full on fight and your dog had come off worst, it is always the staffy (or other perceived dangerous breed) that is presented as the baddy and it is another nail in the coffin for the breed. If your dog had been injured and you had gone to the papers about 'those devil dogs' there is no way that it would be reported accurately or fairly. I am not suggesting that you would have done this but I always have some anxiety when off lead dogs or small children come storming across to mine without a parent/owner in sight.

I have a rott and a staff and am all too acutely aware of the need for them to act as ambassadors for the breed so when we are ambushed by an off lead dog with the owner miles away I get seriously hacked off. Mine are on the lead for a reason. Grrr rant over.

In summary, OP it is time for you to start running the show again, your boy appears to having it all his way. It might be worth implementing NILF (Nothing In Life is Free) for a while to tip the balance back again. This involves the dog earning every privilege it gets.

zebidee1

ali-t wrote: »

Sorry if this sounds like teaching granny to suck eggs but if the dog is only recalled when there is another dog around you will never be able to make yourself more interesting than the distraction.

Not at all. I welcome all advice. Thanks.

Fire_Fox

Watch some of the 'It's me or the Dog' episodes, they show a dog can be re-trained at any age. Have you ever tried clicker training? Loads of how-to videos on YouTube.