When I thought about what exactly I want/need to do with Boyo, then it occurred to me that I should teach him a word and what it means. Aside from “his”, “lie”, “stay” and similar, so I have another word I use on a walk – will pass.
Passing is one words I use if we meet a dog that seems more excited/reactive than I think Boyo needs to react to, or if we see a hare (but there it takes more than one “will pass”), or similar. What I want when I say that word is for us to pass by without engaging with what is happening – regardless of whether it is in front, behind or beside us. Depending on what it is, may I have to say it with one Right such a determined voice.
It's respect new word I will teach him. He already understands the meaning, but not the word yet. For me, it's about respect, including, to keep distance and not to intrude on my or anyone else's personal space. I myself have no problem with keeping him at a distance when I don't feel like having him close (when I wake up, for example – I am extremely unsocial and grumpy when I wake up and want to not have close contact with anyone at all).
And this is one of those occasions where I use more body language, energy, intent and facial expression, than actual training. In practical terms, this might mean just standing completely still and looking straight at him with a completely expressionless face, until he feels uncomfortable and backs off. Now that happens very rarely, numer, because he has learned – but initially it could be a little uncomfortable for him until he understood what I wanted. Once he understood, we could both relax, and that is his reward. Possibly a very quiet one “bra”, but it is not actually necessary in such situations.
But now want I expand this to partly include the word itself “respect”, and that I should be able to apply it to others, and in other situations. One of the problems we have, is that he gets so incredibly excited in the very situations I want to avoid him moving forward like a steam locomotive. 😀 So we have several things to work on.
I think I will get to work on both things at the same time. We can practice the word itself at home, so that he understands that it means showing respect and keeping a certain distance – from me, from some gadget, Molly (cats) eller whatever.
At the same time comes we to have to work on this with just how excited it's ok to be, when something fun happens. My main goal is for him to be able to refrain from rushing up to especially people he knows and bouncing around like a yo-yo, and above all – stop jumping.
The ultimate goal is that I should be able to use the word respect as a way to get him to back off AND calm down, so that you can greet in a sensible way without him becoming hysterical. Most likely I will also have to inform people we know about what I have taught him, so they can help by doing the right thing.
And as one example of how to do it right when you want to greet my dog is – no eye contact with him, don't talk directly to him, and no physical contact. Quite simply – ignore him completely until he is calm enough to greet in a meaningful way. That's how I do it myself when I meet dogs, whether I know them or not – and with Boyo when I've been away and let him out of the bedroom where he can be when I'm not home. For those wondering, I can tell you that it is very effective, and much nicer than being met by a completely hysterical dog.
Rent spontaneously the biggest challenge will be to lower Boyo's cheerfulness when we meet people we know, or when one of the day dogs comes here. It won't happen overnight – but the lazy wins, so sooner or later I expect it will work.