Hi, I have a 4 1/2 month old LabX puppy who was well socialised from an early age and even though we are glad he's turned in to a confident, ultra-friendly dog who loves people and adores other dogs, hes become a nuisance to train to recall.

In the first couple of months we'd take him all around our large local park and even though he wouldnt stay right by our sides, he'd always follow and come after a name call and a show of a treat. As he's got more confident though, he really wants to play with other dogs ALL the time and nothing can bring him back once he's seen someone he wants to greet. Its not only dogs but people... if he sees a jogger hes jumping up all over them being a nuisance. This could be seen as cute but I'm so worried he'll innocently go to greet a wobbly toddler and jump up and knock them over or something.

Our trainer has told us not to let him off the long line AT ALL until a few months time, but I cant help but feel this is making us go backwards as he's never going to learn to come to us on his own rather than being pulled back each time he goes to follow another dog/person. Also I dont want him to miss out being able to have a good run without being restricted.

How did you all teach the recall? Even the most excited dogs at the park leave us to return to their owner after a quick greeting. Am I missing something?! When we are in a field with no other distractions we make a game of it and call him between ourselves, he comes quickly and gets rewarded. But when theres other distractions its like theres a mental block - literally nothing can snap him out of it!

Please help, its driving me mad! x