Training tips for very friendly dog

[ksld]

I have a nearly one year old labradoodle. He is generally very good, and I will admit I have been a bit lax with the training for this reason.

My main problem with him is that he wants to say hello to every person we meet, and if they have a dog he wants to bounce all over the other dog. Where we walk he has to be on a lead so I have an extending lead for him. I have tried to find something more interesting than other dogs - but can't persuade him. He also wants to play with other children, and he is quite big and very bouncy which frightens them. I am starting to dread seeing anyone when we are out which obviously isn't good.

Also just recently he has started barking when he's playing in the garden and given a command, it seems a bit like a child being cheeky and answering back. Is this just his age and becoming more confident? Do I just ignore and turn my back until he stops?

Thanks to anyone who's got any tips to try!

Work on a leave it command and use it regularly. I also posted on here on the thread about assuming dogs off lead where friendly about dog on dog meeting etiquette. I would work on this with your lad.

If he barks at you when given a command immediately turn your back on him and walk away. He needs to learn that barking does not get any attention. Also though consider what you asked him to do - does he understand I am sure he does but if confused or frustrated some dogs can bark. Initially though I would assume he is being cheeky and walk away.

Hey Ksld, I have almost exactly the same age dog as you, same breed, and very similar issues.

Things that have worked for us with the saying hello is really really working on getting him excited in toys. For us it took a little while, but he is now obsessed with chasing his tennis ball, and I was doing a little happy dance in the park the other day when a spaniel came snuffling nearby and our dog IGNORED him to keep playing ball.

I kept him on a training line and extending lead a long time, still use the extending one quite a bit, and called him back for treats EVERY time we saw another dog. He does now look at me whenever a dog comes by. Sometimes he looks then still runs off, but the improvement is huge!

We also have the barking during commands. minimu I'd be interested in your take on this too. So if I get the clicker out and ask for a sit, he'll sit, I click/reward, and if I don't give him something else to do INSTANTLY, or sometimes even if I do, I get barking. He does it in obedience class too. With mine I think it's frustration - he's doing what I'm asking, and he just wants more more more. I'm trying to teach him a shh command but limited success. He barked all the way through a slow-moving class the other week, and I had to keep him moving through sit/stand/down/spin/twirl/hi-five like a jack in the box to keep him quiet, and even then it didn't really work (down used to be quiet, he's know figured out he can bark while lying down!)

Yep doodles you have to love em!

When he barks everything stops. When he barks just walk away if you are in a training class I would tie him up and move away from him. He will bark louder to start with so you just move further away. Do not go back to him until he is quiet. You may need to warn the class that this is what you are doing but I give it one week and it will be sorted

Work on it at home where it is easier. A shrug of the shoulders and you leave the room. He learns I bark she walks away. Doodles are bright and will learn quickly but they also have a very sweet tilt of the head and beautiful eyes that they will try to train you so beware - be strong

Re the barking at you wait a little bit longer before you give the treat for learned behaviour, sometimes don't click and treat at all. So if he knows sit only click if he does it very quickly or very quietly, sometimes do not click - if you keep him guessing he will be less able to boss you and tell you what to do.

you need to socialise him a lot more so he is used to being around people and not needing to say hello to everyone. he needs to understand what type of greeting is acceptable, tell him this by using your voice tones and removing him the person/dog if he missbehaves. eventually he will learn that a gentle hello is better than none. this may mean training in a controlled environment. if i have not explained well please tell me! its very difficult to with out demonstrating!

as for barking ignore him as his is probably trying to get your attention, however if he does not obey your command, say AH AH loudly and at a high pitch

hope this helps

OP part of the socialising for our dogs involves sitting at busy coffee shop outside in a reasonably busy town and just watching the world go by.

The dog settles down, gets treats when she is quiet and I have a coffee, chit chat to passers by and catch up on anything phone related.

You have to be prepared to 'train' the passing people who want to stroke the dog though.

When your dog is calm she can be stroked, when she dances around you calmly say "Sorry, dog is in training, please ignore" - MOST people get the message... or you could say what someone I know does "dont touch her, she has mange!" that is enough for them to ignore.