Hey I was wondering if you lovely people could offer some advice.
My partner and I bought Spencer a couple of months ago.

He is a very large ten month old black Labrador.
His previous owner had him from a pup, and seemed to allow him to do whatever he liked on the lead.
As a result, he tugs constantly on the lead, and often attempts to make a break for other dogs.
He is very strong, and as a result has injured me a couple of times, the most recent being my sprained fingers as he ran off after another dog.

My partner bought him a Halti, which has worked wonders for his walking, he is now a pleasure to walk.
However, he still goes mad whenever he sees another dog, the only difference being I am now able to restrain him.

I know that this is a socialisation problem, and that he needs the company of other dogs, however, I am afraid to take him to training classes when my partner is not about as Spence can appear quite frightening to other dogs and owners, yet he has shown no aggression at all, just a willingness to play (too roughly).
I have had him recently neutered, I ust wondered if you guys have any advice.

I don't think that's necessarily the case. It sounds like it could simply be a young Lab who just wants to play in the crazy, boisterous way that all Labs do ("he has shown no aggression at all, just a willingness to play (too roughly)").

Our big boy went through a stage like this, and he sometimes still does it if he's on the lead and we meet another dog. He'll go crazy and start leaping about, straining to get to the other dog for a play.

If he's off-lead when we see somebody, then he simply trots up to them to say hello.

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There is no such thing as "just a dog, "just a cat" or even "just a flea".
Always remember that humans are animals too, and to treat every living thing with respect.

"You can tell the quality of what goes into a dog, by the quantity of what comes out"

I`d begin by joining a good dog club (check out the methods first) which will get him used to being round other dogs.
Then hopefully you will find someone who will let you walk your dog with theirs. It`s the best way I know to teach a dog manners - for them to copy from other dogs they are with. Of course, you`ll have to find some-one with well-mannered dogs!

When you say 'he goes mad' - do you mean as in aggression or wanting to play?

If it is the latter, it isn't a socialisation problem, he's just being a completely normal lab

Some you will train out of it - others it can be a battle. At 10 months he is also likely to be hitting adolescence making everything seem doubly bad.

My girl is 10 months, and she (without warning) just has these crazy moments - my boy is 22 months and still does it, although a lot less.

my eldest three girls aren't really bothered - although they still like to play / ingratiate themselves with other dogs, and my 22 month old girl - well she is just mad!!!!

You will need your wits about you and clear determination and agreement between you and your partner on how you deal with this so he gets a clear consistent message - but don't discourage him to play, it is this unique feature of our breed to love everyone, human and canine which helps make them such a wonderful breed.

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What you need to know before buying a Labrador puppy

I also agree that it's just the normal lab in him.
My lab is over 2 years old now and he still strains to get to other dogs and to people, he just loves saying hello to everyone!

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