Panicking on lead

[ChickensHaveNoEyebrows]

So, another issue. Jasper has started reacting with panic if we're out walking and he hears a dog barking. As we walk to school, and pass various houses, the resident dogs woof and then Jas attempts to leg it. He takes a run up as if he can escape his collar, throws calming signals about like they're going out of fashion and generally freaks out. I keep walking, try not to show any concern myself, and also have to try and stay on my feet as my loopy spaniel spins and pulls. I'm using BAT techniques when we see other dogs, and he can now pass a dog on lead without panicking as long as I have the treat ready immediately afterwards and the other dog shows no interest. But I don't know what to do about dogs barking generally in their own homes/gardens. Ear defenders?

Ooh, good idea Beer. I might try cheese again and put up with the evil farts of doom.

Yeah :( He just stills, and then tries to run. I think I'm going to go right back to basics with everything, and try and build his confidence from scratch. He's such a lovely boy, but he is stressed outside and now consequently so am I

This is my one and only spaniel ever. Fact. He's too smart, too neurotic, too high energy and too bloody adorable. No more!

They're not known as spanners for nothing.

I met a man in the summer who had seven, seven, Springers. Three were older, well trained gun dogs. The other four were bouncing around like Zebedee on speed. He looked bloody knackered. Also had an actual man bag full of liver cake

I also do the treat for focussing on me. We started doing it because of reactivity to other dogs, though we now do it for groups of over-excited kids, the postman with his trolly (work of the devil) and anything else that gets him going.

Nowadays if he sees another dog he generally can't get to me fast enough! He is always on a 15m long lead though so this isn't quite as impressive as it sounds. I extended the process by using a ridiculous singsong voice throughout the other dog passing ordeal - 'we're not going to pay any attention to that silly doggy-woggy are we, we're going to sit and eat sausage and cheesy-weesy and be lovely and calmey-walmey'. If his attention wonders I go 'uh uh look at me' and (much to my surprise), he does. I've even been known to wag my finger! Padding it out with the voice and the reminders meant it was easy to apply to other situations somehow. So in the end the silly voice in fact just means 'whatever's bothering you, ignore it, look at me and eat sausage'.

Get me! I'm posting advice now!

Disclaimer: strictly novice advice..

Go Gymmummy!!

I do what Gymmummy says. If a dog barks, a person shouts, or anything slightly untoward happens, my dog looks at me as if to say 'okay, where's my treat?'. A silly soppy voice works wonders too.

at Redwing

I think Gymdog actively looks out for other dogs now. He'll see some vague shape on the horizon, look at me and I swear is saying 'pretty sure it's got a tail, could be traumatic, sausage please...'

Yup. I do watch! Too.

I have a sandwich bag of mature cheddar ....this is a high value treat to Hully as I eat it on walks too. Therefore she is amazing more to ensure she gets a larger share

She has just started looking up for a treat now automatically on encountering pigeons and cats.

Good Job! Now sends Hully into a mini quivers frenzy at her own awesomeness.

Ooh Honey am loving the treat competitiveness idea Think that would work well for us too for recall which is still very much a work in progess...

It's not an established training method. It's just I generally don't have breakfast and really like cheese

And I'm quite keen on sausages...

So sorry for thread hijack chickens, I suspect your needs are more aligned to Assumpta's in her 'What now? Sorry it's long' thread, there's a great reply from Cuebill there which also got me thinking about the limits of just distracting. Not sure how you apply it to something you can't see/predict though

Is J still ball mad? Would an amazing squeaky ball of squeakiness help? Keep him focused till either home and play or off lead and play?

Hmm. Maybe. Perhaps I should get a ball on a rope to engage him with if we hear lots of woofing. I really want to get his anxiety levels down so that he can relax and enjoy walks.