By Fran Jewell
So many of my clients, if not all, have asked me what to do about other dogs that will “mug” their dog while out recreating. What is mugging? It is when a loose dog runs up to another dog, full speed, and gets into the first dog’s space. Yes, dogs do have spatial needs just like people. This is especially true of herding dogs, such as Aussies, border collies, German shepherds and many others, since they use their space to push livestock in the correct direction. How would you feel if someone you didn’t know came up to you and hugged you and kissed you, or yelled at you? I sure wouldn’t like that.
To soften the blow of their inappropriate behavior with other dogs, owners will say, “He’s friendly!” This is NOT friendly behavior. It is inappropriate behavior. In my experience, it is the owner that does not train their dog appropriate behaviors and greetings that will announce to everyone that their dog is friendly. The fact is this is NOT friendly. Many times the intruding dog will actually put their head over the shoulder of the other dog, or approach head-on. Both are challenges to fight and are often misread by their handler. The dog being mugged may stiffen, which may mean he will return the challenge.
No dog that does not have a PERFECT “come” command should be off a leash. That doesn’t mean you have to call your dog three times. That doesn’t mean he will come 100 percent of the time if there is no distraction. A dog must come NO MATTER WHAT and come immediately to have a 100 percent recall. Making excuses for not training your dog to this level by saying “He’s friendly!” does not make mugging another dog acceptable. Period.
Training takes time. Young dogs, particularly between the ages of five months and a year or more (depending on the breed), go through a teenage-type period where they will challenge every command. Additionally, if a puppy comes to you eagerly before then, they are programmed by Mother Nature to follow the leader. You are his leader. This does not mean they have a perfect recall. Once your dog is about 19 weeks old, he becomes more independent and will disregard your commands or take longer to respond. What you teach them at a very early age (I actually start my puppies at about 4 WEEKS old to come to their names!) is what is easily enforceable once they become that teenager. You can imprint behaviors up to about 16 weeks old.
Start early. Be consistent and don’t let your puppy fail the “come” command. Prevent the mugging behaviors from happening. It’s the best way to live responsibly in a dog-loving community with so many off-leash opportunities. TRAIN. RUN. COME!
Fran Jewell is a dog behavior consultant, NADOI-certified instructor and vice president. She owns Positive Puppy Dog Training LLC and can be reached at (208) 721-7221.