Teaching a young dog to calmly approach other dogs

[Lycopodium8]

My 14 month old lab cross has a brilliant recall when no other dogs are around. Unfortunately if other dogs are around she pelts after them, is trying to leap all over them etc - she is very friendly but it is just far too much. I have her on a long line so she doesn't actually get to the annoying other dogs stage - I have had reactive dogs in the past and it would/still does irritate me when other people allow their young dogs to pester. I'm happy for her to approach other off lead dogs in a calm way if they are ones we know/owner is OK with this but any tips for taching her how to do this in a calm manner? I'd like her to be the sort of dog that can just trot up for a polite 'hello' or even better still just ignore other dogs

Following as our rescue terrier is exactly the same. Way over friendly!

Stop introducing her to other dogs.

I'm kinda serious. If you want a dog that ignores other dogs then stop giving her opportunities to find out how exciting they can be. Practise, instead, walking by them calmly. To so this you will have to start at a distance from them that she can do this - maybe several metres. Over time, as she learns, you can allow this distance to be closer and closer.

Keep to the 3 second rule. A 'greeting' (if there HAS to be one) lasts 3 seconds and then you move on. 3 seconds is not enough time for play or fun. A quick sniff and then call her on, rewarding her liberally with praise and/or treats as you walk off.

It helps to train and practice a tight , focussed 'heel' (the dog is close to your leg and looking at your face) in easy areas and then use it around other dogs to move her on.

Repeat, repeat, repeat.

And remember, every single time she has a chance to jump all over another dog she gets a lesson in how much fun they are. And she risks them reacting badly to her and teaching her other dogs are sometimes fun and sometimes scary - thus risking her getting anxious when she sees other dogs.

Thanks Sirsniffs, but I'm not deliberately introducing her to other dogs. On short lead she is fine - she's clicker trained and I can pass other dogs with ittle issue using a focus command. On any sniffy walks (field, river etc) I have her on long line so I can control her interactions but there are lots of off lead dogs that come charging over themselves, hence the leaping over them etc. I've varied walking routes etc but there is a huge number of out of control off lead dogs.

Sorry, Lycopodium I didn't mean to drop off the thread (MN has been so slow as to be almost impossible to use for the last 24 hours or so!).

From your update, it sounds like you're doing very well. I think in terms of other dogs, the best you can do is try and keep interactions short and to a minimum (perhaps calling to the other owner to recall their dog), keep encouraging her to walk on with you, rewarding her when she does and rely on maturity and training to win out in the end .