6 months ago I took on a 3 year old yorkie called Toby. He is great with people and my other two dogs, but it quickly became apparent that he had a problem with strange dogs. When passing a dog, he would go into a complete frenzy, whipping round and biting his lead, biting my legs if I got into the way. At my witts end, I tried the method of 'pinning' him to the ground (I didn't hurt him I promise) into a submissive position with every dog he had a go at. This caused a dramatic change in his behaviour, with the dogs and with me. It was as if he finally understood that 'I was here to tell him how to behave' and with the dogs he was completely accepting of them from then on. Gradually I've learnt to trust him. He now is off lead all of the time, and keeps away or is friendly to other dogs. The worst he does is an occasional grumble and backs away.
But what has surprised me is that on the short walk to the park when he is on a lead, if we pass a dog he reverts back to being quite aggressive towards other dogs.. sometimes even to dogs I know he is fine with in the park.
I do try to walk fast past them. I tell him to heel. And I try very hard not to transmit any tension from me via the lead.. in fact I don't react myself apart from sometimes laughing and saying 'silly dog'. It doesn't upset me or embarrass me... I'm way past that lol! And I love him dearly.
I don't really want to have to start pinning him down again. Why can't he have the same good attitude he has in the park off lead?
I'm just really puzzled.