Need some training tips - major scare
 

While I love Dutch's carefree spirit, it also can be quite dangerous to her. Yesterday I had a scare. Dutch has a very bad habit of trying to get to every dog she sees. The result is that she ends pulling very hard on her leash trying to get to these dogs.

Usually when I see other dogs I reign in her leash to try to prevent that from happening. Well I didn't see the other dog and she took off running. The leash slipped out of my hand and off she went. Fortunately the dog was on the same side of the street. If the dog was on the other side she would of crossed the street to get to it.

I ran after her calling her name but she completed ignored me. I eventually caught her when she got to the other dog. Fortunately all they did was exchange butt sniffs and the dog was the same size as Dutch. This dog was on a leash. The owner kind of held her leash until I caught up.

So obviously I need to know how to stop her from pulling on the leash and barking when she sees another dog. She only barks at them when she is on the leash. When I take her to the dog park, she never barks at them. She mainly just plays with other dogs.

Any training tips will be appreciated. It's a matter of life or death. I guess she doesn't see me as the pack leader. How do I change that?

I really think the best way to do this is to attend an obedience class w/ other dogs to help her desensitize...then, also take her to dog parks to work w/ her training lessons and to further desensitize and nail home her training.

I'm glad Dutch is okay after this incident. I agree with Ann, more desensitization to other dogs. Also, work inside your house on things like "watch me" and basic obedience. Then work outside on these commands when there are not dogs around.

For instance, stop walking, have Dutch sit, then walk in front of Dutch so that you are facing her. Tell her to "watch me" so that she is focused on you. If she is food motivated, give her a tiny treat when she does these things. My boys are not food motivated outdoors, so we use praise.

Max gets excited when he sees other dogs. I make him sit and tell him to "settle down." We sit and wait until the other dog is no longer a distraction. Sometimes we duck behind parked cars or some other obstacle that blocks the view.

In general, I remind myself that I can't tune out or let my mind wonder when I am walking the dogs. I keep a firm grip on their leashes because I never know when the UPS man or a motorcycle will sneak up on us. These are big triggers for my boys.

If I let my mind wonder, then my dogs are not in tune with me.