9 month old's behaviour

[cindii]

I have noticed some interesting factors with our 9 mo old 3/4 rottweiler 1/4 bl lab. Since he was about 6 mo old he will use his head and try and push us in a certain directio(is this related to his herding instinct?) he also will walk behind us and use his leg to try and trip us(this seems to be when he wants to play) when I take him for walks he seems to be excellent around people walking, kids biking, loose dogs that are just laying in their front yard, but when we go by a fenced are and a dog aggressively comes to the fence barking, he lunges at them, and will not listen to me. He will not bark. I have recently been taking him on walks and having treats available to distract him, for the most part he is listening. I guess I just have concerns as I do not want a real aggressive dog and I'm sure there will be times when a small child may be near him. We have kept him quite social.

[sweetlee]

Has your dog been to obedience school yet?
I had the same problem with Dodge for a long time. Those damned fence chargers anyhow.
I can't leave here in any direction without running into one of them.
My word for this is "nevermind". Keep high value treats while you are walking and before the dog lunges at the fence, offer up the treat and if he neverminds and pays attention to you and the treat, praise, praise, praise and treat, treat, treat, I keep the treats coming so my dog has learned that ignoring the unruly mutt at the fence means good things are about to happen. You have the leash and collar on and so you have a valuable tool, do a quick about face and keep walking the other way, he will have to follow. If you can't leave before the other dog gets his his attention, correct with a collar pop and a "nevermind" or "leave it" whatever you want to use, this should get his attention turned to you, the minute he decides to look away from the barker say yes and start treating.
He will learn quickly.
If you haven't, enroll in classes and go, it really is a good way to get your dog to pay attention to you. My dog knew all the basic commands already, but going to group classes I learned alot and so did he. It's good to have those distractions and have the dog watchinig you for the next move.

Sharon

[jazzking1971]

Stand inbetween him and the other dogs. Walk into your dog's space, make him sit or lay down and look at you. When he is calm then you continue the walk.