How do I get my dog to stop bothering my other dog?

To get your dog to stop bothering your other dog, teach them a Watch Me exercise, start where there are no distractions, and your dog isn’t doing something else. Say their name enthusiastically and when they look at you reward them with a high value treat. Once they can do this reliably, practise this everywhere – always rewarding them. Do this until no matter what they are doing or where they are, so you can get their attention in a variety of places and situations. Practice is key, remember that patience is very important when training any dog and you shouldn’t expect instant results. If your dog has been barking at other dogs or being reactive for a long time, it will take time, patience, and consistency to break the habit or change the behaviour. Give play opportunities, make sure your dog still gets a chance to play and interact with their chosen doggie friends, set up play dates or dog walks with a chance for off-lead play regularly with your dog’s best friends.

To stop your dog from bothering your other dog, give your dog timeout: Putting your dog in timeout when you notice signs of bullying is a good way to give both dogs a chance to calm down before things escalate. Simply remove your dog from the play area until they're more relaxed. Use a verbal cue and repeat it each time you put your dog in timeout. Be selective about who your dog plays with: Rather than taking your dog to the dog park where it's a free-for-all, providing ample opportunities for your pup to get into trouble, set up play dates in less stimulating environments. Arrange these doggy dates with dogs who aren't bothered by your pet's style of play. If you need help, a trainer can help you teach your dog impulse control. They might also have access to a well-behaved alpha dog who can model good behavior for your dog and teach them the difference between appropriate and inappropriate play behaviors. Stepping in, controlling who they play with and modeling better behavior can all help your dog become a better playmate. They might also need more exercise or mental stimulation so they don't take out their boredom or excess energy on other dogs.