Walking and encounters with other dogs - Page 1

So I take my 7 month old GSD on walks in our local open space trails. Im finding more often than not, when another person or persons with their dogs are coming the other way, they will simply stop with their dogs when beginniing any signs of aggression. This always seems to bring out more aggression in my dog than if both parties simply keep moving past each other as I can more easily distract my dog I also find almost every other person with a young dog/pup will use this encounter with me, to do training where they make their dog sit and then either praise it or scold it. I try to give them space and to keep walking but sometimes the trails are only so wide.

Can you give me advice on best way to deal with encounters like this and is there a good way to refocus my dog as not to automatically want to get engaged in every situation?

I know I will probably get blasted for my approach, but thats why Im asking for advice now.

Thanks

Mike

If two dogs are going to be introduced their needs to be control of both of the dogs.  More than two dogs creates a situation likely to cause a conflict or dominance.  An older dog and a younger dog creates a possible dominance situation.  Best not to do this on a public path where there is little way for you to know whether the other person has control of their dog.  Parking lots and the loading and unloading of dogs is also a really dangerous place around dog parks and public pathways.  It is your job to protect your puppy so don't take any chances.  I have had puppies attacked by dogs off leash and dogs whose owners were not in control.  It is also your job to keep your dog or puppy in control and not actively showing aggression toward the other person's dog or puppy.  I generally try to keep my dog off the path if necessary and my body between the puppy and the other dogs when meeting dogs on a pathway.  A walking stick or a baton may be a good accessory if walking in an area where many off leash dogs are roaming.  Find a new location if off leash dogs or idiot dog owners frequent the areas that you walk your puppy.

7 months out and about, don't know if they should be excited to see a potential playmate or a foe and show some puppy dominance.

When I encounter a leashed dog and they stop and make their dog sit I do the same. Get my guy to focus see if they will pass, if not then I stay in front of my dog and back up a few steps make my dog sit focus.  I keep this up until I get past them. The reason is because I want to be in postion to be between my dog and them and to see reaction my dog is having and I can correct it.

I will also walk on the left side of the path so that the dogs will be further apart. It is hard to get others to do this. When I see them coming I am already on the left and stay there they get confused some will ask and you can explain others think you are nuts and don't know how to drive a car.

Just stay there and do sits and downs, practice makeing good turns they will get tired and go around.

Always a good walking stick should be carried.