Lack of social awareness

I'm starting to have a serious problem getting Gizmo enough exercise in the park. As the weather gets warmer the park is extremely crowded, my recall's still not great and it's even worse when there's dogs everywhere. He's got a terrible habit of nipping dogs to get them to play with him. He doesn't seem to recognise when they're anxious or don't want to play with him and I just don't know how to get him to behave. It's an off-lead problem, on lead he sits or lies down and waits for the dog to approach him.

I was thinking of using a treadmill to give him the chance to burn off a bit of energy before we get to the park so he's calm enough to listen to me. An hour and a half in the park just isn't enough for him, especially if I can't let him off to stampeed backwards and forwards.

I don't think I've managed one walk in the last month where I haven't come home completely stressed out because I'm so worried about other dogs.

This is exactly our problem with 20 mth old Milo. I'll look forward to hearing what people advise

Hmmm, part of the issue could be your stressed feeling. It's well known that on lead they can feel tension but in my experience they can feel it off lead too so remaining calm and confident is key.

The nipping is a problem and although it's his way of enticing play obviously this could be seen as naughtiness. I'm not sure how to deal with this other than controlled interactions on lead first. Not helpful if he's off lead and bounds over to another pooch !

Others might come up with some ideas hopefully.

kept him mostly on the lead today, as loaded with small dogs. We started walking across a grassy bit and this slightly smaller black and white dog ran over. No owner in sight, I wound up letting Giz off the lead because the dog kept playbowing and they seemed alright. Played for quite a while. Still didn't see an owner and eventually he ran off.

When I got home I discovered that what I assumed was dried slobber was actually blood, so I guess either the pup was teething or Gizmo has a cut somewhere. Either's entirely possible as he doesn't seem to register pain that much.

All can suggest Is a long line you can buy online its a good idea will give the dog a bit freedom also u can control his interactions with other dogs , the nipping sounds like excitement at meeting another dog you could try the watch me command when he goes to nibble another dog perhaps have a treat handy when he doesnt nibble. Hopefully someone will be along with more advice

Harley also does this, where he lies down if a dog is approaching kinda like a sheep dog then either runs to the other dog or refuses to budge if he cannot talk to the dog.
He is very playful and sometimes gets a bit to much with other dogs and doesn't take no for an answer but he is learning quietly.
What we normally do is if were down the field we have him on the long lead and if he want to talk to another dog introduce on loose lead then if all goes well drop the lead and let it trail, then if it gets a bit to rough you can easily pick the lead up and rein him in. Also could you use ball or a ring to throw gizmo to get rid of some of his energy? we find with his ring or ball he focuses more on us rather than running off. Hope that helps

The sheepdog and sulking is gizmo to a tee.

Tried what is left of his long lead (he gnawed it into 20 foot sections) with him this morning. He ran round a tree trying to get to a really exciting stick and successfully built up such momentum that I fell over.

How do I use the long lead without breaking something or clotheslining a passing cyclist?

good question. When we had Flo on a long lead we simple let it trail for the main part and only grabbed it if we saw a potential situation ahead.

have had similar dog-to-dog interaction issues with Lady .. on and off
off lead time being restricted to only when in a virtually empty and secure setting ..

however .. since getting her a kong jumbler ball ..
much has changed .. she pays scant attention to other dogs ..
being totaly focused on catching her ball ..

i use an 8mtr flexi lead .. so when on-lead can kick the ball
a ways for her to chase ..
or if the space is big enough .. and not too many dogs or people about .. she goes off lead chasing her ball ..
no other outdoor dog toy has kept her attention like this one ..
and it's the only one she'll pick up and carry about with her ..

by the time she's tired out from chasing it .. she's usually too knackered to start bothering about socialising with other dogs ..

her 'game' seems to be playing goalkeeper ..
she drops the ball in front of me .. backs off a bit
then tries to guess which way i'm going to kick the ball
( her idea .. not mine )
so i guess she gets mentally tired as well ..

one thing for sure ..
she's almost stopped lunging after other dogs .. birds .. etc etc ..

Thats fantastic kozmos - something to consider