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Hi Lisa,

It’s sort of an avalanching behaviour. Once they get on a roll it’s hard to stop. With kids, it’s that moment that we say, “Hey! Everybody just settle down or someone’s going to get hurt.” They’re just playing but the escalation is going to get the better of them. Most dog training is way too contextual and dogs don’t respond the same in alternate environments. If you want her to still enjoy this social time with the other dogs (and they with her) you’re going to to have to up the ante in your training investment and get her to respond to you whether she’s running hot or cold. Think of well trained police dogs. Lots of drive but when they are called off they’re not being asked, they’re being told. That takes a good training foundation and then purposeful and incremental exposure to the sort of distractions that a real world scenario might throw at the dog and handler. It’s doable and fun but the relationship investment of the handler into their dog becomes more of a hobby rather requiring more work than a lot of dog owners have time for. Find a balanced trainer in your area, outline the problem and see if they have a dog you can practice with their guidance your dog’s obedience around.

The muzzle isn’t a bad idea but I’m not sure what you mean by a soft muzzle. If you mean the type that is made of cloth and keeps the dog’s jaws firmly shut, that’s not a good choice. The only way a dog can cool its body is through panting so when their jaws are kept shut like that they can over heat and do themselves harm. You’re better off with the basket type. I’ve seen those made of a softer plastic so that might be what you meant.

John

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