puppy greeting strangers

[rottlove]

15 week old Viva loves everyone she sees on the streets and trails. She always wants to run up and greet strangers with great wiggling. Of course, not everyone wants to pet a puppy, and I'm pretty good at reading faces and body language to know who does. And I want her to have positive experiences with strangers as much as possible.

So here's my question: When she runs up to folks, should I restrain her? She's a little young for a good sit-stay but that's what I've been aiming for, so people have the option to approach her. And it's really hard for her to *stay* when people are squealing and laughing while approaching her.

Pulling her away from non-puppy-lovers seems like bad conditioning. Is it treat-distraction time then?

Oh, and she is on a flexi-leash at these times.

Her training classes start Tuesday night.

Thanks!

[kaiser's mom]

Hello to you and Viva!! I would definitely ask you instructor.. we have wiggle butt rottie too! almost 5 mos old.. I never punish him for wanted to be friendly towards people...I just tell people he is growing up and has to learn manners... I take charge of him and instruct folks how to greet him so he will always be everyone's buddy...
They have to learn the association of reward and petting comes together with manners of sitting etc... we are working on putting him in a sit...feed feed feed and someone approaches and if he lunges happily towards them....that person is to back up... sooner or later he will learn that he must sit before getting petted/getting rewarded...
I practice at the supermarkets..with my neighbors at the mailbox, everywhere and anywhere...
keep us posted on your progress and what your trainer advised..

[TrishB]

You might find this thread helpful:

http://www.rottweiler.net/forums/sho...threadid=13950

Best of luck! :)

[rottlove]

Thanks, y'all! Using the old treat-to-the-nose, sit-wait (she's actually pretty good!) and release. Loose-leash walking is enough of a challenge to apply in most social situations. The "leave it", though we haven't actually covered that formally in class, is working fairly well for folks that don't want her attention. I think her puppy-K class is a bit basic yet for formal commands but is great for getting her attention in a positive way and socializing. Our next big hurdle is getting her to tolerate physical handling of greater and greater duration.