i have ballsed up my dog training

[misdee]

fgs i have massively cocked up.

my dogs bark at other dogs. they dont attack them. but bark. continuly. i can hear one of them goes higher pitched than normal with a whine at the end, and he gets agitated round other dogs. he is actually quite nervous at times, and i dont know what to do.

other dog owners pull their dogs away understandly when a big black lab-x starts loudly barking at them.

to be fair, he barks at anything that moves on four legs, or even birds. so i dont think its a dog-agression thing, but a fear/prtective thing.

and since having dc#5 i dont have enough time to walk them distances. my baby boy is having feeding issues and i am literally tied to the sofa some mornings for 3+ hours, then again in the afternoon and evenings. the poor dogs are lucky if they give 30mins each a day, which just isnt enough. and because of the odd times i walk them, i dont get chance to let them meet any other dogs.

i am at the end of my tether today, and if i wasnt so pigheaded, they would probably7 be getting rehomed, but i am stubborn and wont give up on them so easily. i need to sort out the dog-meeting/barking thing, and try and get an extra 2 hours in the day to walk them alone.

I'm not sure about the barking tbh, but can you pay a dog walker to take them out for a really good run every day while you are unable to? It might alleviate some of the problem as maybe they are bored with too much pent-up energy?

Could you try to take them to dog classes so that they can socialise with other dogs and learn that their fear is misplaced? I would try a few different classes until you find one which suits...

Don't beat yourself up Misdee - life can get in the way sometimes and dogs can always throw awkward behaviour at you when you are busy!

I agree abut a dog walker - that would be a great idea if money allows. Dogs often enter a fear stage at 8 months - 12 months and it could be your pup is in this stage. In which case take no notice of the behaviour at all. Try not to let him get aroused so if you see a dog coming and can avoid it for a bit I would - maybe take a slightly longer space between you and the stranger dog.

You could also get a Dap collar which may help but I think it is probably dog excitement. The less you react when he gets excited the better (yep really easy to say and very hard to do)

A good behaviourist of APDT trainer could help you but I guess right now you do not understandably have time for this.

You do have your hands full but as feeding etc settles down there is time enough to sort out the dogs a bit later when things have settled down a bit - take time for yourself and try to get someone else to help you.

Is the breeder nearby could they help with the dogs a bit? Wish I was near enough to take your boys out with my lot to wear them out for you

yes it started a couple of months ago 8months is, and he is now 11months old. the other one is laid back but more dog-curious.

tom has always been more nervous/highly strung, which seems a contridiction when you meet him as he presents himself as a big strong dog and proud in the way he holds himself. since baby arrived last month he has gotton worse when out, and even barks at l;eaves or the birds tweeting.

will avoid walking him on the school run/near shops for now where loads of dogs on leads are.

i really enjoy our off lead walks, but lately their recall has gone to pot (new baby and teenage dogs i gues), can you recommend a strong long lead to get them roaming a bit but i still have control, until recall is sorted.

Again don't panic about the recall the dogs are just being typical teenagers (you poor thing babies and teenagers!)

I would just get a long line - if you can let them walk in a park then just catch the end of the line when you want them back. The lines do get a bit muddy but it will certainly help with the recall until then.

I would not worry about training the good behaviour at the moment but just try to prevent the unwanted behaviour eg keep on lead so have to be recalled, do not let the dogs get too excited by exercising them in quieter areas and you will probably find that in a few months things are much better.

Tom sounds like a collie I know - will bark at anything! I would leave the long line on at home as well so if he is out in the garden and barks - say nothing just get hold of the long line and bring him indoors. He will soon work out bark means end of fun outside.

Do you get any time for yourself? I think you are a star

i rarely get times for myself. walking to dogs was my quiet time, away from the noise, and to get some exercise as well.

how long a line should i get?