TEACHING YOUR DOG OR NEW PUPPY THE MOST BASIC SKILLS ISN'T VERY DIFFERENT TO RAISING A CHILD.
You would not let your child run up to a stranger or another child in the park, before first finding out whether the other person wants to be approached, or played with.
It is equally important to monitor to whom your dog or puppy runs to. Some dogs don’t want to be played with. Some are old and some are not so friendly, even if they look it.
TEACH YOUR HAIRY HOUND EARLY ON TO RELY ON YOU TO TELL HIM OR HER WHEN IT IS OK AND SAFE TO PLAY.
Here are a few tips:
- Approach other owners before you release your dog.
- Ensure your dog is calm.
- Release him or her from the lead using 'GO PLAY' command. -This way your dog will still get to play, but you've decided with whom, and when.
- Ensure you remain close-by, to intervene when you want the 'play' to stop.
- Releasing your pup from a distance and letting it run to any dog it wants to, especially when you haven't mastered recall yet, is only going to undermine your ability to retrieve your dog and keep him or her out of trouble.