18 month old shih tzu goes ape at other dogs

[QueenFaeriecakes]

18 month old male shih tzu goes literally barking mad when he sees another dog. He will pull, bark constantly and won't calm down until out of sight or greeted dog.
He barks when he sees dogs from our balcony which I have put bamboo screening up but he still bloody sees through it.
I dread letting him off his lead even in fields as he runs for miles to get to another dog. He stops responding and will run across busy roads. He greets okay but if the other dog shows aggression he doesn't take the hint and will carry on til I drag him away.
Anyone have any advice?

[Megsdaughter]

Watching with interests as I have a 20 month stafford who does the same. One of two staffies. The other one never bats an eyelid at other dogs.

[littlewhitebag]

I took my dog to obedience classes and she learned to meet other dogs politely and calmly. She is now loads better with other dogs we meet and her recall away from dogs is improving all the time. Are their classes local to you you could go to?

[QueenFaeriecakes]

I would love to take him to classes but I don't drive and the nearest is two towns away. Such a shame, he could do with the help, he is eager to learn but shuts down as soon as there is another dog about.

[Wishiwasanheiress]

Training classes?

[Wishiwasanheiress]

Sorry didn't see reply. Hmmm well it sounds territorial. But I'm no expert.... Have u tried YouTube for suggestions even that dog whisperer bloke... Latin American.. Name escapes me.... Cesar Milan?

[multitask]

Look up Kikopup on youtube, she is an excellent trainer and provides a full range of videos on the problem you have.

This is episode 1

Follow through the next couple of videos which includes barking and lunging at other dogs.

One of our dogs was like you describe and we carried high value treats at all times, we watched for dogs on the horizon and when in sight distracted our dog with treats and got her to focus on us, it has worked, she now does either a sit when she sees another dog or completely ignores it.

[QueenFaeriecakes]

Braved taking him off the lead in the dog field this morning after the school run , I was armed with treats and kept calling him back to me when he started to go too far. He came every time for a treat, and then a dog came right past us and he greeted ok but as soon as the dog ran off he followed full pelt across the entire field with no response to my calling. The other owner stopped and gestured towards me with her arm and my little shit bag came running back to me. I gave him a treat and had to grab him before he ran back again. Started walking in other direction and he sullenly followed.
This is going to be hard work.

[Frettchen]

If you haven't got a solid recall, I wouldn't let him off lead, especially with other dogs around. What if he runs at a dog who doesn't take it so well, or if he runs out in the road; you've said he's been known to run into the road before.

Work on basic obedience - once he knows you're going to give him treats for behaving he's going to pay a bit more attention to you. Walk him on a long lead so you can let him roam and then practise recall without the risk of losing him. Practise off-lead recall in your flat. Get into the habit of stopping regularly on your walks to do a few obedience exercises; even if it's just sit and down. It'll get the dog used to being near you and being rewarded.

I would urge you to find a way to get to classes - they're incredibly helpful for socialising your dog in a controlled environment - meeting dogs in the park is an unpredictable thing; other owners may not want to stop and help you get your dog used to their dogs, whereas in a class everyone's looking to socialise and train their dog.

In the meantime look at the above videos, and please don't rush things. Dog training doesn't happen overnight. Take things a week at a time and you'll get there.