Big dog lunging [excited not aggressive]

[newfie-mix]

Hi,

I have a 3.5 yo female Newfie mix.
She is a sweet dog.
But when we walk on leash, she always lunges to greet other dogs on leash.
Not aggressively, she's just excited to meet them.
But it's frustrating and difficult to manage her.
And some dogs (and owners) don't like to be lunged at - well-intentioned or not
I use a choke collar and I have tried various techniques.
But she's just not responding.
I live on a canal with a walk path on each side of the water so it's quite busy.
I could try to avoid other dogs, but I'd rather not.

Any suggestions?

[Barkingdog]

Have you thought of going to a dog trainer for help?

[Winston]

Have you ever tried a Gentle Leader or a Martingale Collar? I would reccomend the gentle leader untill your pup learns to walk properly on leash and then maybe you can work up to a regular collar. The gentle leader allows you to have a bit more control than a choke chain.

Do you know someone else with a dog that you may be able to take some walks with? somoene you can socialize the pup with? this may help as well.

[Barkingdog]

Originally Posted by Winston

Have you ever tried a Gentle Leader or a Martingale Collar? I would reccomend the gentle leader untill your pup learns to walk properly on leash and then maybe you can work up to a regular collar. The gentle leader allows you to have a bit more control than a choke chain.

Do you know someone else with a dog that you may be able to take some walks with? somoene you can socialize the pup with? this may help as well.

The dog is 3 and a half years old , and it may take more than a Gentle Leader
to get the dog from lunging. My last dog wore a Gentle Leader but he had a lot of training too to teach to not pull or lung . A Gentle Leader has to put on correctly in order to made a difference , if it's too lose it will not do anything and too tight is painful to the dog.

[Winston]

Just offering my advice. I know many dogs that have used a gentle leader at various stages and ages and they worked quite well. I also understand that the lunging is an issue but my main point was that the gentle leader may provide her with a little more control thats all??

Good Luck with whatever method you try.

[Goldfields]

How about you give it approach words, like 'Say hello', then each time it tries to lunge either stop dead and wait for it to settle, or walk it quietly in a circle and try again. Keep it very low key, don't do anything to excite her. You really need someone with another, or other dogs to work with you perhaps. I've had to combine my halts with a very firm 'NO! Leave it!' because my pup, Roo, is a reactive young cattle dog that takes a dislike to some of the unusual breeds he meets at Obedience. His lunging therefore, on occasions, is a bit more serious. Your disadvantage of course is the sheer size of your girl. Her strength. That's where your Gentle Leader would help. Good luck, and let us know how you are going. If you find a solution it could help someone else here.