Dog Health Questions: I HAVE A 8 MONTH OLD DOG THAT I TAKE TO DOG TRAINING CLASSES, BUT HE IS SO SCARED OF THE BIGGER DOGS BARKING. ?

PLEASE CAN ANY ONE HELP

Train Your Dog - Don't Let Your Dog Train You

Recommended Answer:
There was an extremely vocal & overly exuberant Dalmatian at the obedience club I attend. On each occasion the instructor would take the dog in hand & firmly correct it.

Speak to the instructor as all the handlers & dogs are there to learn obedience.

If you are calm & confident, your dog with feel that you can control his environment I keep him safe.

Good luck training your dog.

Dog Training Mistakes You Should Never Do

• Talk to the instructors, they can see what is causing it.


• It probably hurts his ears a lot. The bigger dogs make LOUDER sounds so it might be hurting his ears


• when he acts scared or nervous, don't coddle to him. petting or soothing will be mistaken for a reward. tell him NO, then ignore the behavior. when he acts appropriately, reward him with something he REALLY likes (i.e. toy, treat, petting, praise) he'll soon figure out that acting correctly will get him what he wants.
  as he becomes more used to the other dogs barking, he'll stop being scared, because he'll know that acting good will get him a reward. training class is the best thing you could do for him, because the only way to correct a behavior that's undesirable is to put him in that situation and get him to do what you want.
  distracting him with a command is another good thing to do. when he acts scared, you can have him do some tricks. he'll learn that the noise is not going to make any difference to him.
  
  practice, practice, practice!!


• I agree with talking to the instructor. There is no reason you (and your poor dog) should have to put up with uncontrolled barking. Especially if it's affecting his ability to learn (scared dogs can't learn).
  
  I'm surprised they've allowed it this long, since it can't be easy to teach class trying to talk over dogs barking!
  
  This is a situation that needs to be addressed -- for everyone's sakes. The owners of the barking dogs need to know that they need to get a handle on that problem as well.


• keep going - eventually your dog will learn that its okay.. the worst thing you can do is drop out of your class.. this will teach your dog that there are things to be scared off.. so.. keep going


• I agree with DeeDawg. Your energy through the leash is what he is feeding off. Are you nervous about the larger dogs? You need to stand calm & assertive so that your dog knows without a doubt that you can handle any situation. Once you are assertive & calm, your dog will relax & trust that you are leading him. Do not pet him and reassure him.


• This site has lots of information to help you learn how to help your dog.
  
  www.fearfuldogs.com