How to Train Your Dog to Ignore Other Dogs
Jump to section
Introduction
First, let's set the scene: you and your pup are walking along the sidewalk and everything is peaceful and relaxed. Suddenly, up ahead another person is coming your way with their pup. Your dog starts to bark excitedly and lunges towards the other dog. Not only is this type of behavior unseemly, it could lead to someone or someone's furry friend becoming seriously injured.
Now let's look at it from a different perspective. You and your pup are walking along as above, but this time your dog calmly walks by your side as the other pair walk by on their side of the sidewalk. Doesn't this seem like a much better scene? It can be yours as long as you are willing to put in the time to train your dog to ignore other dogs. You can teach a dog of any age to behave in this manner as long as they are old enough to have mastered the basic commands.
Top
Defining Tasks
In this case, you are training your dog to behave in a specific manner under certain circumstances rather than teaching him a new task or chore. While you may need to use some form of command word in the beginning, the intention is for your dog to ignore other dogs without having to be told. This is a very important behavior for your dog to learn as you need to be able to take for walks without worrying about his behavior. If you can't do this, it becomes far too easy for your dog to not get the exercise he needs.
You should teach your dog to ignore as young as possible, preferably while you are training him to walk on a leash. But at the same time, you can train an older dog to behave on walks, it might just take a little more time. No matter what age your pup happens to be, learning to behave around other dogs could save him from serious injury or worse if he ends up in a fight.
Top
Getting Started
Not much is needed in the way of supplies when it comes to training your dog to ignore other dogs. But more than anything else, you will need the time to go for walks every day and preferably more than once each day. But you will need these things:
- Leash: For when
you go for a walk.
- Treats: For when
your dog behaves.
- Time: Time for
two or three 15-minute walks every day.
- Patience: Your pup
is going to get it wrong at first, be patient and never punish him for getting
it wrong
Remember, training your dog to ignore other dogs is more about time and patience than anything else. Also, the more you jerk on the leash, the more excited your pup will become. The calmer you remain, the more quickly your pup will calm down and back off.
Top
The Attention and Reward Method
Most Recommended
10 Votes
Most Recommended
10 Votes
Before you go
Before you go out for a walk, call your dog by his name. If he looks at you give him a treat.
Repeat the process
Do this several times around the house over the next few days until he always looks up at you when you call his name.
Distance walks first
Start walking your dog at a distance from other dogs. Note when first notices them and call his name. When he looks at you, give him a treat.
Slowly get a little closer
Start working your way closer to other dogs using the same method. Rewards if he behaves, move further back out if he doesn't and start again.
Keep going
Keep working closer until you and your dog can pass by others at close quarters without your having to worry about your pup misbehaving.
The Nudge Method
Effective
6 Votes
Effective
6 Votes
Go for a walk
Start by taking your dog out for a walk around the neighborhood.
Remain calm
As you walk, remain calm and relaxed. Your pup can sense this and will behave in the same manner.
No pull
If your dog starts to lunge towards another dog, do not pull on the leash, this will only make him pull harder.
Nudge him
Instead of pulling on the leash, anticipate the behavior and using your knee gently nudge your pup in the side to distract him. If he settles down, give him a treat.
Sharp tugs are better
If he doesn't back down, you may need to give the leash a short sharp tug to get his attention while calling his name. Reward him for good behavior.
Keep trying
It can take a few weeks for your dog to fully accomplish the change in behavior you are trying to teach him, be patient, it will happen.
The Friend Method
Least Recommended
5 Votes
Least Recommended
5 Votes
Talk to a friend
Have several of your friends agree to bring their dogs over for training sessions.
Bring your pup in
Find a large area where you can put your pup on a leash and stand with him.
Conga-line time
Have your friends line up spaced about 20 feet apart with their dogs on leashes.
Ready, set, go
One by one, have your friends walk their dogs past where you and your pup are standing.
Each time he lunges
Each time your pup lunges towards the other dog tell him "No!" and make him sit. When he does, give him a treat.
Keep the line going
Keep the conga-line moving around in a big circle for training sessions of at least thirty minutes each day or at least several times a week. Once he has mastered this, you should be able to take him for walks in public and expect the same behavior.
Written by PB Getz
Veterinary reviewed by:
Published: 10/19/2017, edited: 01/08/2021
Training Questions and Answers
Fenway
Springerdoodle
3
Question
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My dog had a bad run in with a male pitbull and a larger wolfhound dog where he was attacked. Now, he barks aggressively towards any male pitbull that he sees and lunges at them while on leash. How do I attempt to develop a positive association with male pitbulls again. I don't want it to snowball to where any male dog bigger than him gets that response.
July 25, 2023
Fenway's Owner
Caitlin Crittenden - Dog Trainer
1128 Dog owners recommended
Hello, I recommend working on both counter conditioning and desensitizing to those types of dogs from a distance, doing foundation work first to teach commands and behaviors that will help your dog respond to you in those hard situations. Check out the video series linked below to learn more about desensitizing and counter conditioning in its nature. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JY7JrteQBOQ&list=PLXtcKXk-QWojGYcl1NCg5UA5geEnmpx4a&index=12 Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden
Aug. 3, 2023
Vida
Belgian Malinois
One Year
Question
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My dog has been reacting to reactive dogs. She will walk past well-mannered dogs. She will look but I am able to redirect. There are two instances where that's not the case. One was a doodle lunging at us. She didn't react until the dog got closer while the owners were fighting to get their dog under control. She turned and barked. I had a difficult time breaking her focus and redirecting her. Second instance was walking past an outdoor restaurant sidewalk seating and a small dog under a table started barking. She lunged like she wanted to play. She was deaf to my commands.
June 4, 2023
Vida's Owner
Caitlin Crittenden - Dog Trainer
1128 Dog owners recommended
Hello, I recommend reaching out to a training group in your area who offers training for reactivity or board and train's reactive dogs. I would see if training can be set up with some of their reactive dogs specifically, with something like a fence between the dogs and practicing walking the dogs past one another over and over again, while they work on training the reactive dog to be calmer on their end, and a second trainer works with you to reward your dog for things like Heel, Watch Me, and ignoring the other dog as you pass. You can begin to reward your dog for having not reacted negatively as soon as the other dog is in sight, continuing to reward as you pass by them, without waiting for you dog to react. This type of training helps desensitize your dog to another dog who is reacting, builds focus for you even around highly distracting situations, and will if done correctly will decrease and fear they may have from the tension of another dog being reactive and almost getting to them - building trust again for your ability to lead and protect. It's important to do this with a safety measure like a fence and with someone else properly managing and training the other dog, so the other dog doesn't just become more reactive from seeing your dog over and over again, without someone to also train it. You might even have a friend with a dog reactive dog, who you could work with with a trainer's oversight, and benefit both of you with the proper supervision and guidance and safe environment. When the dogs are struggling, adding more distance will tend to decrease reactivity, so often this training is started with more distance between the dogs, and the distance decreases as the dogs improve. This will need to be practiced with a variety of reactive dogs once pup is doing well around the first dog. Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden
June 6, 2023