How to Train Your Dog to Not Run After Other Dogs

Hello, Check out the the Reel In method from the first article I have linked below, as well as the long training leash and Premack Principle sections of the second article I have linked below to deal with these types of situations. Find intentional times to practice around distractions like other dogs, from a distance, places like your neighborhood or park, away from cars. Reel In method: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-whippet-to-recall Long Leash section and Premack Principle section: https://www.petful.com/behaviors/train-dog-to-come-when-called/ Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

Oct. 9, 2023

Hello, First, how are your dogs getting to the other dogs? For aggressive dogs I recommend only using secure physical fences, like a tall wooden fence, and not using electric fences alone or having the dog's off-leash. Not only does that protect others who walk past but it also protects you from being sued, your dogs from being taken and euthanized, and helps the behavior not get worse - since the more pups practice attacking the worse that can make the attacks. With that said, I recommend hiring a professional trainer who specializes in behavior issues like aggression and has access to lots of other well mannered, dog friendly dogs. I would work with a qualified trainer, with safety measures like a basket muzzle, to gradually desensitize pups, one at a time, to other dogs, using obedience command practice to help pup stay less aroused and in the thinking part of their brain and out of fight or flight. I would begin training at a distance where pup can tolerate other dogs at, rewarding pup's obedience during obedience command practice, having the other dogs just be in the background. As pup improves and becomes calmer and unconcerned about the other dog being in the area, then I would very gradually decrease the distance, practice with the dog moving about more or making more noise in the distance, rewarding pup's continued focus on you and calmness around the other dog. This process would be done over lots of different training sessions, where distance is decreased as pup's body language shows that they are ready. Once the dogs are within a few feet of each other and pup is unconcerned, you could practice having them walk past each other, then eventually go on a walk with each other with the safety of distance and/or a basket muzzle for safety. When pup is okay with one dog, then you would start at the beginning with a new dog, until you had worked up to the walk again with that dog. Once pup was fine with the first two dogs, then you would continue this process with at least a dozen different dogs, until pup is generalizing the training to all dogs, and more relaxed around dogs in general. When working with a reactive or aggressive dog, be aware that a basket muzzle is sometimes needed too, even if the other dog is further away, because an aroused dog will sometimes direct their aggression toward whoever is closest, such as you - the one walking them. Training with an aggressive or reactive dog needs to be done carefully, and ideally under the supervision of someone experienced with handling an aggressive or reactive dog. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6XzwUmSHyIc&list=PLXtcKXk-QWojGYcl1NCg5UA5geEnmpx4a&index=39 Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

March 6, 2023