Other dogs!

[Mairyhinge]

Hi, you may remember me, I posted a month ago about how I'd mastered ( more or less) recall with Trigger. Well we are still doing good, he doesn't like not being able to see me so even if he runs off playing he will, eventually, come 'to his senses' and look/ listen for me.
Now my problem is other people and their dogs. Trigger is 7 months but due to his breed looks older ( bedlington whippet). He is still very playful, but the amount of people who don't want him near their dogs is crazy, he's just tried to play with one but she was scared of him so that made him bark at her.
He steals balls, so I take at least 2 out with me so we can swap if need be but this isn't good enough, the dog wants THEIR ball ( generic green tennis ball), and today he ran off to play, but came running when called but the other dog didn't, so that's my dogs fault!
I'm getting downheartened because he can only learn his manners from other dogs, but honestly some people are so fecking precious it's bonkers.
I KNOW he needs to learn to behave better, but what can I do?
He just wants to run and chase, but the whippet in him means he out runs most dogs, so again I get moans cos their dog is having a bloody heart attack.
I just want to get him to be less over the top, he's very friendly and sociable but over excited too. I'm getting very down that when I let him off he will no doubt get into trouble of some sort!
He's not at all vicious, but I hunk he's getting a reputation.

Hi mairy, other dog walkers are quite tolerant of pups usually, especially if they see you are putting the effort into training. Yours sounds like mine, easily over aroused and boisterous. At 18 months, after months of consistent recall training and practising keeping calm on lead passing other dogs and people, she is much better but still has her moments. It sounds like you are walking her in far too distracting environments to teach recall, can you find quieter walks to practise?
What helped us with doggy manners was a group socialisation walk and what I wish I had done differently at 7 months was more on lead calm walking. Good luck.

Sorry, him. Don’t forget , the more he runs the fitter he gets and the more he needs to run. It it were me I would definetly be keeping him on lead around other dogs and finding quieter areas to walk or an enclosed space once a week for him to have a mad dash about.

I'm quite tolerant of people with puppies. Mine was one once and socialising is important when they are little so I let them have a little sniff/play. But it needs to be brief. I'm there to walk my dog and think my thoughts not socialise yours.

I trained Dog for years to pass another dog and ignore them so that's what he does. He can however be possessive over his ball...I've lost count of the times I've been told that "he just likes to chase dogs with balls" or "he just wants the ball"...well he can try but honestly Dog will eventually have him on his back if you dont stop him. It's amazing how fast a person can recall their dog when that happens!

In order to have a (generally) laid back, pleasantly antisocial dog I walked in places and at times when there would be nobody else there. We did group training classes and lived the training. It's hard work but I have very strong vocal control, even at distance. It can be done but you have to work it.

I should point out before people worry that Dog is in no way aggressive...but he can sound it if needs must.