Sorry for so many questions. I really am thankful to have found so many knowledgable people to help me become a better owner.

Anyways, I need help with capone and other dogs. When he was younger none of this was ever a problem. He completely ignored other dogs or gently approached them wanting to play when allowed. Now when I take him for walks just walking by a house where he knows a dog is in the backyard ready to bark at him he goes bonkers. Jumping lunging (excitedly, not aggresive but very intense!) And self correcting then yelping but continueing until I can just get him passed the houses.

Also, when around other dogs he rushes them, again wanting to play but too intense and becoming more dominant with age. He will stare at them very intensely too, when I make him sit or leave it. (Always leashed)

My question is how do I approach this? Do I correct him? Do I use treats and try and distract him, which honestly may not work when he gets to that point. He is in full fledged adolescence and I am finding I suddenly have a much more dominant and strong dog than I anticipated. He was so relaxed as a young puppy.

ETA we use a prong collar. And aside from this he is well behaved on his walks.

How much has you read here about desensitizing? Use desensitize and desensitizing in two searches and you will get details about dog-reactive dog desensitizing.

Everything in your post shouts "focus work!"

If you have trouble finding detailed threads, post back and I'll dig some up.

PS
"He will stare at them very intensely too, when I make him sit or leave it."

At this point, where you have not done focus work or proofed for heavy-duty distractions, I would march right on by. This "He will stare at them very intensely too, when I make him sit or leave it" is not something you want him to have time or leisure to do. No focusing on the other dog.

"Do I use treats and try and distract him, which honestly may not work when he gets to that point."

This all starts without distraction and works up very gradually to that extremely high-level distraction.



eta
Turn this around and you see that it's nothing more than training basic ob and focus and then proofing for distraction, and in this case, the major distraction is other dogs.

The work is started outside his "trigger area."

We even have a thread somewhere called something like "Success Stories about Dog Reactivity."

Edited by Connie Sutherland (01/05/2011 04:00 PM)
Edit reason: eta

Thanks Connie! I wasn't sure which way I should approach it. I will do some reading tonight, I really haven't had a chance to sit and read about desensitizing. Which I need to do with my foster as well, just in other areas so that works out well =)

 Quote: Kristi Molina

Thanks .... I wasn't sure which way I should approach it. I will do some reading tonight, I really haven't had a chance to sit and read about desensitizing. Which I need to do with my foster as well, just in other areas so that works out well =)

I've said it so many times that everyone else groans, but you haven't heard it yet : Desensitizing work with your reactive companion dog is nothing but good (JMO). No downside at all. It cements your bond, it solidifies the dog's basic ob, it turns the dog into a much more pleasurable walking companion, it dials back frustration and corrections and anger, and it does not risk flooding a stressed dog whose reactivity may be anxiety- or flat-out-fear-based.

JMO! I have found this kind of work to be so satisfying .... maybe because, barring some catastrophe, it's pretty permanent. A dog who has gradually learned that those other dogs are (1) not a threat, (2) unable to get to him because of you, and (3) more boring than you is a wonderful thing to have molded!

wow. I didn't realize how much I still have that old "crank and yank" ( I think that's what they call it) training still in my brain. My initial reaction is to correct correct correct when it comes to "bad" behavior. Even at a schutzhund club I attended, the trainer was telling me I needed to "nip that in the bud, and give a good correction" before it escalates. He kind of freaked me out, like my dog was going to turn into a monster. I am glad I went with my gut and waited to post before attempting to fix it. It is a constant learning experience here. That made me really excited to get started! This could turn into a very late night of reading lol Thanks again Connie. Everyone has been so helpful.