How to handle my dog being too boisterous?

[NoNamesLeft86]

Hi. My (big, 27kg) dog is 10 months old and full of energy. He is friendly, and just wants to play. But is too rough and I haven't haven't found a single dog happy to play with him because he is just too much for them.

But i think we are going round in a bit of a circle as we tend to keep our distance from other dogs due to this, and walk through quiet fields so he can be off lead for a bit (he likes to run around).

But the more we avoid other dogs the less he will learn to play nice. And the more excited he gets when he does get to play.

I feel he needs lots of exposure to other dogs and to get over the excitement a bit. But its not fair on the other dogs to do this.

His recall is great until he sees another dog then he just doesnt listen, so we are constantly looking out for other dogs and quickly put him on the lead if we see anybody.

I dont know how to move forward with this. I think he really wants some dog friends and feel sorry for him.

Can you find some dog training classes where they can help you manage interactions with other dogs.

I would try and find a dog training class that is outdoors. It really helped my daft mutt but they do learn with age not to go full on with other dogs. Mine got a good few growls when he was that age but it just the older dogs teaching the young dog manners. He's still boisterous but now approaches other dogs as he should, with a butt sniff.

Yy to finding a good behavioural class. Also I'd try to find some other young dogs of the same breed or other giant breed to take him for the occasional walk. Worth a search on Facebook groups etc. Perhaps his breeder can put you in touch with someone with a suitable dog? It will help him learn his manners with a dog he won't squash

Oh sorry just reread your OP - doesn't sound like he's a giant breed but still same principles apply :)

Sounds exactly like my Goldie
He did get a bit better as he got older and being neutered made a massive difference
He still plays a bit rough so I don't let him with smaller dogs ( he flipped a Jack Russell through the air once) but with dogs his own size we know he can play now. The good thing about it is that once he gets it out of his system a bit now he CAn play nicely

My giant breed leonberger is the same. 13 months now and she has improved but I still walk deep in the woods where we rarely meet anyone. Problem is that not letting her meet other dogs is just making the problem worse but there are few people who are keen to let their dog romp with 40kg of lively fur. She's a gentle giant but a giant nonetheless. We do go to classes but for socialisation rather than certificates as if I let her off lead she just hassles the other dogs. I have found a local dog walking place who won't walk her without me but are happy to let her come along with carefully selected big dogs. I haven't done it yet. Maybe you could find something similar.

Also might be worth a try on a local dog Facebook group to see if you can organise a meet up of dog owners with larger playful dogs. I've taken mine to a few - he's very well socialised so will play with any size of dogs but he really likes boistourous young dogs (despite being 4) so we seek them out for him :)