Dog Health Questions: How do I get my two dogs to stop barking at every dog and person we pass while on walks?

I have two small dogs who are two years old. I took them to group dog training to help with socializing in the past, they go to the dog groomers and they see people that come to the house. However, every walk I take them on, which is everyday, they bark intensly and pull toward passing people or dogs. If no one is out they walk fine.

Please help...this is driving me crazy. I get angry and frustrated at this as it is really embarrasing. Our walks are nightmarers. What can I do?

Is Your Dog Training You?

Recommended Answer:
Your dogs bark because they can and because they have no idea you want them to stop - you are not communicating with them in a way they can understand.. A big dog attacking your dog -doesn`t matter - because honestly, you need to get past that, and if you are still reacting, you might be part of the problem (if you are nervous now of big dogs your anxiety is transitted to your dogs)

So, my list : you need to relax. If you are tense your dogs will sense it. Its hard I know (I have a big dog and it was bitten by a bigger dog - so trust me, there is always a bigger dog).

Stop having a dialog with them. (I presume you either yell or say `no, quiet, please be quiet, please please please shut-up...smile). Your dog has tuned you out and your pleading or cries or frustrated yells just spur them on.

Its one direction - one correction.
I realize you wont likely accept my advice but I will give it anyway :

- first, take one dog out at a time until you get control The two are feeding off each other.<
- second, put both of them on a prong collar which you can buy in a pet store, and stop thinking its cruel. Its not if used humanely.
- Third, redirect his bad behaviour to good behaviour by communicating with him. When you see someone approaching with a dog calmly tell them `its OK, I see him, leave it`. Then hopefully your dog has some obedience training already, command your dog to heel. STANDING STILL STARING AT A DOG BUILDS SUSPICION which will send a message to your dog to be on alert and begin barking and it also will put the other dog on guard. MOTION reduces aggression - so get moving - not running mind you. Just begin walking and if you feel better, move off the sidewalk or cross the road to put distance between you and the other dog (I still do that now - I`m too old for dog fights)

OBEDIENCE re-directs his behaviour - from what he should not to - to what he should do. Its a positive way to channel him.

- Fourth - your dog will bark - no question. Hes done it all his life till now. So, when he barks out (after all the steps above,) make a quick correction - not so hard you launch the dog into an alternate universe - its called equal force. In other words just enough to get his attention. Prong collars apply pressure equally around the neck - and they will not close on a dog like a regular choker.

So pull just enough to get him to stop - he will look at you for the first time and suddenly see you as his leader - and he will look for direction -

So IMMEDIATELY say :`good leave it`and ``heel` and then commence walking. Dont make a big deal out if - because if you get all wired up - he will start barking again. Maintain your composure, and be calm. Turn a very small circle to refocus your dog - at heel finsihing in the same spot you started with him sitting.

This circle thing to a dog its like a whole new world. They forget about what they were all riled up about, they forget they just got corrected, and look at you with renewed respect. Finally you have control and now your dog is listening.

LESS TALK - don`t babble. Just be calm, be decisive, and be clear about what you want your dog to do. This idea that you can negotiate with him by talking to him, pulling him gently back (which is just pumping him up for more aggression because tension on a lead builds aggression), or somehow cajoling him into quiet because you look embarased is frankly silly.

Again ONE DIRECTION ONE CORRECTION.

EDIT TO ADD: WALK YOUR DOGS ON A LOOSE LEAD. Tension in the lead creates anxiety and builds suspicion. If they dont know how to heel, its a good time to teach them.

DO NOT yank your dog without warning him first that you want him to leave it. In other words, be fair, communicate with your dog to allow him to anticipate what is right vs wrong. It is cruel to just apply negative reinforcement without giving a dog a chance to be right.

Do this every time he barks - it will stop in about a day or less.

Then repeat for the second dog.

When you have them under control, walk them both on prong collars and continue communicating with them.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

Dog Training Tips For Hard-To-Train Dogs

• Well first of all you take out one dog at a time and this will immediately help to see if both dogs have a problem, or whether one is winding the other up.
  
  Continue separately until you have managed to train each to stop this behavior.
  
  Even if their walking time is less than usual for you to do both, you should still do it. They don't go out together again until you have stopped it.


• One thing that helps is running the dogs, not walking them. Dogs that are running don't have time to bark.
  
  My Toy Poodle used to be scared to death of people's garbage cans sitting on the curb, and I tried everything to change that. She didn't have time to be afraid of them as we ran past them, and now she walks by them just fine. I run both of my dogs at the same time, on a leash coupler.
  
  If the dogs that approach you are aggressive, SCREAM at them at the top of your lungs, and they'll usually back off. It works for me. If the owners allow the dogs to do this continually, do call the law and report a "stray". Don't mention anything about you knowing where the dog lives.


• well i have a dog who barks at the window when anyone walks by, he is not vicious and he is very lovable but because he is a doberman he is massive. i just hold his mouth together by gently holding the nose and chin together and saying no, he doesnt do it that much now.


• Well you have to discipline the dog you have to teach him not to bark at other dogs and people. You have to gently pull the dog back and scold him/her :)


• training, socialization and discipline


• Sounds like your dog are relying on each other and this bad behaviour is resulting..........one dog will be doing it and the other following suit..........so one dog at time, separate walks and work out which is the one who is leading this.....then you can work on curing it and with only one dog to deal with it will be quick to sort out.....watch for the body language, get the dog attention and while it is watching you and you are walking by without incident you can then praise for good behaviour rather than getting frustrated and embarrassed which will nt help you or the dog as it gives off weak anxious energy and the dogs will think this weakness could be fear which encourages more barking........NILIF is always good to use daily http://k9aro.webs.com/nilif.htm, look at behaviour on the website as well......a change in your behaviour will change your dogs behaviour...........good luck


• Here's a big help. If you have a friend or know some one with a dog(who is usually calm or well trained) as well, that's great. here's what you do. have have your friend walk with his/her dog past your dog(it is best to train your dogs one by one because if one of your dog starts barking, the other one will most likely to join in the barking). if your dog starts barking, turn him/her around or take him/her inside the house so they cant see the other dog. once your dog has calmed down, try again. once he/she stops barking at your friend and his/her dog, reward your dog with a treat. repeat to see your dog understands what to do at this situation. do the same for your other dog. if you think they are ready, try training them at the same time. then try it out with random people and see if it works. dont forget to reward them! HOPE THIS HELPS!