Help! I think my dog is attention deficit! How do I get my dog to pay attention to me on walks?

My 1 year old lab mix displays no signs of aggression. He's a very good natured dog with a certain "zest for life", if you will. That's the positive way to spin the fact that he goes crazy any time he sees another person or dog when we're on walks. He just goes into this trance like state and pulls like crazy with this wild look in his eyes to go over and jump on the object of his attention. I have tried several different means of discouraging this behavior including the gentle leader. How can I redirect his attention to me and get him to heel? Thanks for any help I can get.

~Andrew

Help! I think my dog is attention deficit! How do I get my dog to pay attention to me on walks?microsoft money

You need to keep the collar as close to the base of the head as possible and give a slight tug each time his attention is misplaced. If the collar keeps slipping down around the shoulders, this will not work so well. If you have trouble keeping his collar off of his shoulders, you could buy a head harness. Gentle leader makes the body harnesses and the head harness. Which of those did you try? I tried both and only the head harness worked.

Help! I think my dog is attention deficit! How do I get my dog to pay attention to me on walks?windows explorer internet explorer

he's just a puppy...wait and see
well first of all- your dog is still a puppy!! he is going to be this way for quite some time, especially since he is a lab! they are naturally hyper active as puppies. you should take him to a puppy training class, and realize that this is good for him to be inquisitive on walks and happy around other people and dogs instead of aggressive. i suggest you get a harness for him instead of a leash because this stops them from pulling a lot and also prevents them from hurting their neck. good luck!
You need to work more on training him. Teach him to heal in a very quiet area. Work with him until he has it down, but also mix it up with other commands he knows well. And make it fun for him so he does not get bored. Then take him into a more of a noisey area, but not overly noisey. Work slowly with him until he understands. Everytime he gets to where he does it all the time, move up just a bit in what type of area you are in with him. Eventually he will heel on command no matter how noisey. And if you can't get him to do this on your own, contact a trainer to help you. **** luck!
You know, i have this same problem with my pack of dogs, and everyone wants to blame me, and make it sound like i'm the demon with the untrained dog.

Dogs are dogs, that's how it is, and they'll be a dog first, and then your robot second.

My methods to control my dogs are this.

I had to buy a pinch collar, no way around it, they about popped my arms out of the shoulder socket and gave me blisters on my hands from the leash.

I often snap the leash against their back, to gain their attention.

And I have a very FIRM voice that I use when they are in trouble, and they KNOW the voice very well, and redirect their attention immediately when that voice is used.

What I suggest is a shorter leash for your dog. Have you tried a pinch collar? Many people don't agree with it, but it works well for me. That's up to you. Also, carry a treat bag with you, and when you get his attention, wave the treat in his face to KEEP his attention and teach him heel. Reward him with the treat. If his "zest for life" is just as zesty for treats like my dogs are, I bet that'll work wonders.

*Edit Oh and DO NOT put a harness on. My zesty dogs pull like working sled dogs with a harness on. I NEVER walk them with harnesses, as they'll drag me down the street.
He's young. I am glad he has a gentle leader, they do work in the long run. Perhaps he needs more social time with other dogs, just a thought. Contact trainers in the area and ask what is a good age to take him to group classes, or wait til he's older and can go to agility classes. Pups are a handful for sure, I breathe a sigh of relief when it is over.LOL It'd be nice if you knew someone with another youngish dog for regular playtimes in a safe area. Get him all tired out:) Have fun!

Hunger is a good teacher too. If it is possible put aside some of his kibbles in a baggie and take him walking daily, keep the baggie on the hip which he heels at. He will smell him there and likely stay near if he's still hungry a bit. Have him at heel and walk and slip him the odd kibble and praise GOOD HEEL.. should you see a distraction up ahead maybe go off to the side and make him SIT and STAY, bribing him with kibbles.........it's all about bribery and positive reinforcement. Reward his successes, ignore his failures at such a young age, keep working on it. You'll do just fine. And so will he, he wants to please.
You can't teach a dog (or cat, or horse, or mouse, or human) anything...UNTIL you get their attention! Run, don't walk, to the nearest telephone (or computer) and find a good dog obedience class in your area. A good trainer will be able to solve your problem. If you have a problem coming up with a competent trainer, contact me and I will try to refer you to someone in your area. Get going and good luck.
well, I love the phrase "you have to be more interesting than dirt"

"Why" would your dog want to pay attention to you?

I suggest dog training classes to teach you to teach your dog.