Barking Mad - how to manage?

[Louislovesmud]

My dog is now a year and a half. I'll be honest and say that out of all my dogs he's the only one that wasn't a "working dog" and ironically he's been the hardest work.

We socialised him well with dogs of all shapes and sizes early on, so much so that he wants to greet every dog he sees (working on this as I obviously don't want him upsetting an older / grumpy /reactive dog).

BUT he won't stop barking when he is on the lead and sees another dog. I know it's frustration and excitement, but I don't blame other owners for pulling their dog away - he sounds awful.

Any hints or tips on what to do to curb this behaviour? He hates water, so currently using a water spray to break his focus when he starts along with a firm no, and lots of positive reinforcement and some treats when he doesn't bark.

All suggestions welcome!

Sounds like he's a "frustrated greeter", I suggest you join Reactive Dogs (UK) on facebook. Lots of info and support and run by qualified, positive behaviourists. Also, don't squirt him with water, even if appears to be working from your point of view it isn't helping him in the long term.

Thanks Russell, I'll give the Facebook group a go. It's such a shame, because the barking means he doesn't get to say hello to the dog and then he's sad because he doesn't get to say hello!

Dog logic

Awww After some work (which involves lots of yummy treats) he'll be able to greet nice and calmly.
The group also link to this video on youtube:

Agree with Russell the water spray isn't helping him learn what you want from him.

Sounds like you need to get him to focus on you a bit more. I'd be inclined to distract him when you see a dog up ahead by getting his attention with your voice and treating him until you pass the dog.

As long as my dog is calm around other dogs I'm happy. I'm not inclined to encourage her to greet every dog we meet, sometimes it's not appropriate. When she's on the lead I want her to walk with me and pass other dogs without any sort of reaction.

I have a very over enthusiastic puppy (thankfully she doesn’t bark at other dogs) she LOVEs to meet other dogs.
I have found that things have improved a lot since sending her to doggy day car once a week. We still have a lot to work on on the lead but she will now trot past another dog without more than a glance and even more amazing she will come away from meeting another dog if she is off lead. She also seems to have learnt some manners and to be able to read other dogs - she can spot if she isn’t welcome and will politely leave.
I was very honest with the day care staff when I sent her - over enthusiastic, full of herself puppy with no manners! They just laughed and said that that’s the reason they have most of their dogs. They are very careful how they introduce new puppies but find it only takes a few sessions for the new dogs to get it.
I say puppy, mine was 8 months when I sent her so more adolescent.

Hi all, I thought I'd give an update on my dog. I spoke to a dog behaviourist through our vet about 2 weeks ago who advised the following:

• Every now and then when he's being quiet, pick a "code" word, say it and give him a treat. Keep this up and do a couple of times a day.

• When he sees another dog on lead, use the same code word before any barking and treats as soon as he responds

• If he does go into full bark mode, give him the scoot of water to break his focus and again: code word and treat when he focuses on me and is quiet.

It's basically exactly what we've been doing but using a set code word that isn't one he'd hear any other time (so not No, Stop etc) - and his barking has almost entirely stopped (I would have said entirely but a pom barked at him today and he barked back once and then presented his bum). Since it still involved the scoot, but the code word was new and has worked so well I thought I'd share in case anyone else has the same issue.

Also made huge improvements in the saying hello to dogs thing as well - he now stops, sits and waits while I check with the owner that he's ok to approach.

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