"Hello, I saw your programme tonight and would be grateful for your advice. We have a one-year-old chocolate Labrador who has suddenly started to run off to greet people - especially if they have children or dogs. She usually comes back, but this last weekend we had a terrible time when she ran off into the distance, leapt into the middle of a family party,  knocked a toddler over and would not return until we physically went and got her and put her on the lead. The child was screaming, the parents shouting and the dog was trying to lick everyone and ingratiate herself. This is a problem now and if we don't sort it out could potentially be dangerous. Please help as she is a much loved family member acting in a wilful and exuberant manner.We have had her neutered. Your advice would be much appreciated. Regards, Debbie."

The answer

H&C blogger and gundog expert Howard Kirby replies: "Dear Debbie and family, many thanks for sharing the problem that you and your young Labrador are experiencing with us at H&C.

Dogs often mistake family picnics as the perfect opportunity to rush over and 'join in the party.' If you look at it from the dog's point of view, a small group of happy people, which often includes young children sat in a group on the floor with the added bonus of the smell of easily accessible food, will send most dogs into a highly excited frame of mind.

Keep your dog on a lead

As you said; although on face value this behaviour doesn't sound all that serious, the resulting consequences will at the very least cause conflict and embarrassment and as you mentioned could be potentially dangerous. Stating the obvious, it will be essential that you ensure that your dog is on a lead whenever you are in a public place. I do understand that putting the dog on a lead then throws up other problems such as pulling on the lead. If this is an issue ,then give serious thought as to where you are exercising the dog and this should temporarily reduce this problem. These are things you can do immediately while taking a look at how you can improve the basic obedience behaviour of your dog.

Simulate a picnic scene

If you can establish these at a fairly high level you should be able to control her around all sorts of distractions. Something we have never done is to set out and simulate a picnic scene to ensure our dogs are trained to ignore this very exciting occasion. To reach this high level of self control from your dog you may need some professional guidance. We will do everything we can to help, if  you are able to come to Mullenscote Dog Training Centre with your family and dog then we can have a really good look at the training and see if we can put together a training and management plan all courtesy of H&C ourselves,

Good luck

Howard."