dog's obsessed with other dogs

1pheas4

1pheas4

Moderator
I need some help here with my 1.5 year old lab. He keeps putting too much attention on other dogs in the field instead of birds. He did this last year and drove me nuts. Hunting without other dogs he's all business and focused on finding birds. Put another dog in the mix and birds become secondary unless the sent is really hot.

I figured he'd grow out of it this season but when I took him teal/goose hunting last week it was the same old games. He watched every move of my cousin's lab, and followed him everywhere. When I say following I mean he has to basically touch other dogs while running, swimming, walking, etc.

Any suggestions on breaking this bad habit? I appreciate it very much. Thank you.
 
First thing to remember, dogs are pack animals who are very sociable creatures and thrive on company for many reasons. I would be interested if your dog socializes with other dogs at home. Is this the only dog you own? If it is, the quickest way to fix the problem is to buy another dog.
 
OKIEGunner said:
First thing to remember, dogs are pack animals who are very sociable creatures and thrive on company for many reasons. I would be interested if your dog socializes with other dogs at home. Is this the only dog you own? If it is, the quickest way to fix the problem is to buy another dog.
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He's been around two other dogs since 7 wks old. He was obsessed with my black lab since the time we brought him home.

He's just as obsessed with my cousins lab. Like I said in my first post, it's as if he has to be touching the other dog in the field. He'll press his chest against the other dogs head and body as the other dogs working the field.:confused:
 
I have 2 females (litter mates) that are 4.5 years old. The one female (Queenie) constantly crowds the less dominant one (Sally). Most of the time she does it when they are let out to run in the back yard when they play ruff. It seems to get worse when either is in heat. Now these two play hard – all the time. They are both bird finding machines, which hunt in a pack of 5 dogs every hunt drop I make.

I have seen several times this same type of behavior begin on the first drop of the day when the tailgate drops. Queenie will try to run Sally down, almost as if playing ruff in the back yard. I normally give a strong verbally warning (me being the Alpha) letting her know I’m not pleased with her behavior. If she doesn’t stop this behavior immediately, I nick her with the collar, as well as give another verbal warning. It normally gets her attention and she stops. If not the dial goes up a few notches.

I believe my issue is an anxiety /dominance issue, which started as yard playing as pups. I have never seen Queenie do this to another dog.

In your case, I think that the same corrective action would work. Hope this helps.
 
OKIEGunner said:
I normally give a strong verbally warning (me being the Alpha) letting her know I’m not pleased with her behavior. If she doesn’t stop this behavior immediately, I nick her with the collar, as well as give another verbal warning. It normally gets her attention and she stops. If not the dial goes up a few notches.
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I've tried this and it works for a minute or so and it's right back to looking over to see what the other dog is doing, were it's going, and so on. Slowly he works his way back to the other dog.

I'll keep doing what your advising and hope he breaks this obsession. Thanks for your advise!
 
The dog is challanging you as well....be persistant and a little more aggressive with the corrections.
 
1pheas4 said:
He's been around two other dogs since 7 wks old. He was obsessed with my black lab since the time we brought him home.

He'll press his chest against the other dogs head and body as the other dogs working the field.:confused:
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Sounds like he trying to establish his dominance on the other dogs, my Chessie did the same thing I turned the collar up until he stop doing it, he is find now but like everything else it will take time hang in there.
 
Mr Hyde said:
Sounds like he trying to establish his dominance on the other dogs, my Chessie did the same thing I turned the collar up until he stop doing it, he is find now but like everything else it will take time hang in there.
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Thanks Hyde. Yeah, I zapped him a few times. Broke him of this behavior for a minute or two then he went back for more. It's very frustrating but I'll keep at it.

Thanks for your help
 
I have had this problem with my Lab also. He seemed to only have an issue with other male Labs. I do agree that it is a dominance issue, that is what it seemed to be with mine. He is now 2.5 years old and it has moderated considerably. It did not seem to be an issue with any other dog than Labs. I was diligent with the collar and other reinforcements that seemed to curb his behavior.
 
Could be because he's the youngest and still young. I bet he grows out of it.
 
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Unless you have a gruff old task master of a dog, that will growl down a youngster, and put an end to the following and fooling around, it would be best to hunt the young dog alone. If the issue is posturing and dominance, you need to put a stop to it NOW! That only gets worse, and any victory over another dog makes it worse. Old trainer tactic, ( which gives everyone a great story for life), is the next time, run the dog down, scare hell out of him, and then pee on him while he's still upset. It's overtly dramatic, sends a clear signal, and best of all it works! Provides comic relief too!
 
Pissed Off

That's getting really pissed off. Really.
 
oldandnew said:
Unless you have a gruff old task master of a dog, that will growl down a youngster, and put an end to the following and fooling around, it would be best to hunt the young dog alone. If the issue is posturing and dominance, you need to put a stop to it NOW! That only gets worse, and any victory over another dog makes it worse. Old trainer tactic, ( which gives everyone a great story for life), is the next time, run the dog down, scare hell out of him, and then pee on him while he's still upset. It's overtly dramatic, sends a clear signal, and best of all it works! Provides comic relief too!
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be carefull of how you laugh at this- 40 years ago- this was what was talked about-

you either knock a goof ball youngster on it's butt when it continues this stuff- and repeat every single time- or you never hunt it with another dog

I've seen a female who wouldn't put up with it- sunk teeth in the face of a young goofy dog who had no manners

best you always hunt that dog alone- or come to grips with how you relate to a dog- and seek professional training
 
Nothing you can't fix with an e-collar. But dont get too carried away. You just need to make sure he knows what hes doing wrong, and then nick him everytime he does it. Be consistent, but don't be afraid to turn it up if he keeps it up. Sounds like its a dominance issue, and he needs to know that you are the alpha.
 
please explain the reasoning with a shock collar- VS- a bit of yard work with another dog who this dog is constantly doing it with

for simplicity- a person has two dogs- one always wants to be dominent- brushes up against the other dog- stands over it

you would shock it-

where is the reasoning- get them both together- first to crowd and show dominence- roll it- repeat 100 times if ecessary- if you have what it takes

what do you think we did before the shock collar was invented-

there are those who can show you the old school ways still work
 
Why do it 100 times when you can do it 5 times, in the field, where its happening, and get the same results? Before the e-collar, you would do exactly what you said.. Over, and over, and over, and over again. The old school way works just fine, it just takes too damn long!
 
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jetjockey said:
Why do it 100 times when you can do it 5 times, in the field, where its happening, and get the same results?
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please explain- this is going on- he knows it- he continues to hunt with another dog-

you would hunt your dog with such a dog

but- you say- wait till they are in the field- many lately- most every old timer I've been arround or heard about- says "don't take a problm dog in the field with another dog"

solve the issues before you take such dog along on a hunt with another person and his dog- or 3 or more persons with 3 or more dogs

tell me honestly- and the fact that I've hunted my 4 dogs together and also hunted mine with other dogs- and I've never know a bird dog guy who would put up with goofy stuff from another dog- quote " put that goofy dog in it's kennel" is what most bird dog folks say

why do it 100 times?

smart dogs get the meaning after 2 times- some take longer- you really think an old school person can't nail this problem real quick-

e-collar- meaning shock the crap out of it- there are better ways-

I'm no Pro Trainer- but I'd lay you money I could correct such dog without a shock collar-

all my dogs live and sleep together- been that way for 40 years- you think they all have been buddy buddy and there hasn't been any need for me to step in and hand out a bit of punishment- but unlike some- I've always been willing to step in and correct and praise when needed

shock collars seem to have there place- but they should never be understood as to the fix all- bonding with a dog and reading a dog and be willing to correct it- without shocking- is what should be-

never quite understood- did ones father or uncle have a bird dog- did you listen, pay attention, did you hunt much with your father/uncle and see a nice dog- before shock collars were invented- as the short cut and cure all
 
Shadow.. Im 35 years old. My family got our first brittany when I was 3. I was hunting over them when I was 7 with a 410. I know them, I grew up with them, Ive hunted over them, and Ive watched the best brittanys', and brittany Pro's in the country run. The same dogs that you would brag about breeding to, or brag that you have thier lines in your pedigree's, I get to watch all the time. I grew up watching "old school" guys train and handle brits. Ive seen more then 1 ruined with "old school" practices. It wasn't until I got into trialing more recently that I really truely began to realize what a good brittany was. While I love the dogs I grew up with, and they probably could have been great dogs, they were know where near the dogs that I see today. I have spent many, many hours following a pro around and watching how he trains, and treats his dogs. Ive learned a lot in the last couple years, yet I have A LOT to learn. I watched him fix this exact issue with a dog out of the same litter from my dog. Ive also watched him break a dog from running deer (that one only takes once)..... You don't understand what an e-collar is, or how it works. Its obvious from your posts. Im not going to argue with you about it any more. What I can tell you is that my dog LOVES her e-collar. The e-collar means one thing.. Time to hunt, train, and have lots of fun. ITS NOT A SHOCK COLLAR, and she doesn't have to have it on when she runs!!!!!!! Id love to see you head out to a trial and tell all those pro's and amateurs that they are stupid for using e-collars to train their dogs. I would love to see your dogs go and show theirs up with your "old school" way of training. If you ever have the balls, let me know how that works out for ya.
 
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you're 35! sheese a youngster- you never hunted the real bird days and bird dogs of the early 70's in Eastern Kansas-

we would turn loose 8-13 pointing dogs- only one Britt- my Brother-in-laws Britt- we hunted every weekend of the season- all had to have manners- or be put up- no excuses- we shot a real lot of quail over points- you couldn't step in unless it was your dog on point in front- we all would dove hunt with our dogs- we would also duck hunt over a decoy spread

nothing negative towards you- 13 pointing dogs- all had manners- nobody ever knew about shocking- we all had to do the yard work- if we wanted our dog to in the group- which meant- we'd better be ready with a good dog come opening of quail

yes- we played in AKC field trials- but only one of us wanted a dog that ran that big- it was just sort of fun

heck- there have been times when I wished I had a shock collar over the past 40 years- but I haven't really come to the understanding that I need one to get my dogs to handle- I cut my dogs some slack- they don't have to be perfect

agree- shocking is quicker- but what do you have to say to someone who has 4 pointing dogs who handle reasonably well all the time, run alot together- and are given a bit of slack over perfection- all without ever having a shock collar straped on their neck
 
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