Basic Manners

We took Henry out for his first walk yesterday evening and, although he is immensly friendly, the first dog we came to was an elderly Jack Russell, she and Leon used to exchange kisses but she was, understandably, overawed by this thug lunging and barking at her. He wasn't being aggressive, just bouncing and barking because he really wanted to play, and he has spent his first year of life being kennelled with like minded setters so it is probably the normal way of instigating play for him.

Clive and I were at a loss how to react as we've never had one like that before. We made him sit down and Clive cuddled him and calmed him down whilst I made a fuss of the old girl. He made sure not to tell him he was a good boy or anything, because we don't want him to think that was good behaviour, we just kept our voices calm and low.

We didn't encounter any further dogs and we didn't see any on our late walk or the early one this morning.

I am going to get him booked into basic obedience, as well as ringcraft, just so he is socialised. He is an absolute darling and so full of fun, but I don't want him to become one of those dogs that people dread meeting up with whilst out walking

Can anyone give us some tips to adhere to whilst I'm trying to source the training classes?

I taught Ollie sit and a treat when he was calm and quiet.

He sits or lays whenever we see a dog now which can be a little annoying but then we have taught him this behavior.

Sometimes with certain breeds he will get up and bark I tell him quiet and when he is he then gets his reward.

Sounds like Henry hasn't had much time in the outside world I am sure when you and Clive walk him now he will soon get over the initial excitement and become a model of good behavior. It seems as if it is all a bit exciting for him at the moment.

isn`t this something dogs teach each other during socialisation? Daisy would soon put Henry in his place. I think he just needs be round other dogs more. Have you got friends with well socialised dogs he can learn from?

Thanks ladies

I know a few people around here that I used to bump into whilst walking Leon, I'm sure I will meet up with them again as I start taking Henry out on the regular routes. They are usually off lead though and, although we've bought a training lead it will be a while before I would risk letting him off, I fear that he may lunge more if they are off lead and he can't get to them to play.

I've always maintained that the setters don't thrive well in a kennel environment and this is one of the reasons, they need to be around people and noises etc., he is acting like a baby puppy in a huge body , but I don't want to chastise him, I want to encourage him to be friendly but in a polite way.

I'm taking him to the vets shortly as I needed to get him registered and he has a sore ear, I think I will check if they know of any classes that he can attend to help also.

Panic over

He's met a few dogs over the last couple of days and learned some manners really quickly, he is now a total pleasure to take out, thank goodness

Was probably just so new and exciting for him!! Glad he's settling in.
Becky