He doesn't take the hint

I was out walking Buster last night. Because of the rain no one was walking their dogs so I let him offlead. He was playing fetch and came everytime I called him right up to the point when I actually needed him to come back because there was someone coming onto the field with a dog. Thinking back now I think I probably called him in a slightly different tone to normal (I think someone suggested a whistle to stop this so I am going to buy one and give it a try). As soon as he saw the dog he was off. I ran over, but to be honest I wasn't too desperate as it is a dog he has met before and last time they had a bit of a run around the field together.

This time though the other dog went for Buster, and I mean proper went for him. It was just a warning but then Buster kept running around him and teasing him, like it was a game (Buster had no change in body language, or any growling, he was just trying to play) and the other dog was desperate to get to him. Luckily the man still had his dog onlead and managed to hold his dog so its back legs were between his and he held his front legs up off the floor while I was trying to catch Buster - who was doing his normal thing of running about just out of reach, although most of the time I was easily in reach of the other dog! I eventually caught him an appologised to the man, for the 100th time, and he said it was ok and it didn't make sense as last time they were ok together, then we both went off our seperate ways. I know he said it was ok, but honestly it wasn't. I was so angry with Buster for not coming back when he has been doing so well, and for not taking the hint and thinking the other dog was playing! If the other dog had been off his lead like normal then I dread to think what he would've done to Buster, and it would've been my fault

How can I make Buster understand when another dog is telling him off? He does the same with LuLu. For the most part they tolerate eachother, both keeping out of the others way, but occasionally Buster will be in an overly playful mood and will try to get LuLu to play. She will start by growling at him and then she will try to bite him - which she has managed once but it didn't bother Buster - he now keeps just out of reach and then thinks it is a fun game and keeps going back, making her snap at him again, etc, etc. There is no way I can ever let him off lead around strange dogs, or even dogs he knows apparently, unless he can learn when the other dog has had enough.

You need to step in and remove him from the situation when he's ignoring signals from other dogs.

Might be worth keeping him on a longline until you get his recall sorted out as the more he gets to do what he did last night, the more he'll think it's OK to ignore you.

I would keep him on a long lead as well. It lets him roam and gives you an option to get him back easily. We only let Suki offlead when she is in a fenced in area.

You could try to bring him around as many well socialized dogs as you can and he should pick up on being told off pretty quick.

He is normally on a long line as I have been working on his recall with dogs around (he is perfect the rest of the time). He has been doing really well and has been coming back to me when called even with dogs about. This now shows me that he does know when he is still on the long line and that he cant run off then.

I don't know anyone with a dog that I could use to teach him. There was one staffy cross that he used to play with alot, but they were almost the same age and both kept playing untill we had to put them onlead to go and I think the lad that owned him has rehomed him now. Besides that any other people I meet that are willing to let their dogs say hello to Buster are normally too old to put up with him being so bouncy and I don't want him to hurt them. I am going to speak to my trainer later to see what she suggests.

Do you think I should step in when he is being a pain with LuLu? I was stepping in but they weren't getting any better with eachother so after posting on here I was told to leave them to it which I have been as Buster isn't nasty to LuLu, just a bit too hyper for her liking. I'm so confused. I need him to learn but don't know how to teach him

The difference with the other dog this time was probably that the other dog was on a lead & so felt threatened.

I think the long line is still needed, and yes, step in when he's being a pain with LuLu. He's still very young & full of himself & he will calm down as he gains self-confidence & maturity.

Yes, you do need to step in if LuLu is getting peed off/fed up and he's ignoring her signals

I did think that the other dog might've been different because he was onlead, which is unusual as he is normally let off just before coming onto the field. I'm glad it was the man walking him, not the lady that sometimes does as he is big dog and I dread to think the damage he could've caused.

I will step in with Buster and LuLu after she has given him a warning. Hopefully by doing that he will also slowly learn.

Such a monkey he is. Two steps forward, one step back. We will get there eventually. I have to say though, it is much easier getting a tiny pup and teaching them from the start, than getting one that is bigger and older, missed out on socialisation and training and with bad habits and then trying to teach them! Still, wouldn't change having my baby boy for the world and I will not give up!