Julie,
How has the dog been socialized?

If my dog isn't learning, I'm doing something wrong.
Randy

I just give mine a tap in the head and tell them to knock it off. It's just puppy behaviour

Ann I have never heard the expression "barn sour" so I had to go read about it. He loves car rides and he does get excited when he sees the leash. ??

In another topic I wrote about issues with unchained dogs by us. I only have one direction I can take for a walk. I do try to go other places for walks but it has been so rainy. So I have been taking him the same route everytime. I will change that!!

I had no idea what you meant by "Koehler" training either. So I googled that too. I am guilty of that but it DOES NOT work with Maximus. That will change too!

Randy I totally agree, it is me, not him. I need help!!

How has he been socialized? I take him on car rides, take him around other people and around other dogs. I don't think I do it often enough though. I live in the country and I will admit, I don't get out too much nor do we get many visitors.

When he sees another dog his hair goes up then after a few seconds it goes back down and he is curious. That is a bad sign isn't it? The hair up I mean. That means I am not getting him out enough.

What video can you suggest I buy? I really appreciate all of the help you guys are giving me.

Julie

Al, what size stick?

I don't think hackles going up on a five month old dog is a bad sign - it could just be a bit of nervousness or excitement, hackles are not always a "anger" thing!

Do you get the impression he is nervous or scared when out and really wants to get home where he feels more secure?

Maybe doing short, very fun training "breaks" when going home to give him something to do - for high reward treats, might make the event of going home enjoyable in itself and take his mind off of "getting home NOW". ??

Barbara that is a relief about it not being an anger thing.

I am not sure if he is nervous or afraid? Well with the minature ponies he was scared. This all started before the ponies though. It is like he just wants to be at home.

Any suggestions on a dvd?

Establishing Pack Structure, Marker Training, The Power of Training with Food, Your Puppy 8 weeks to 8 Months...

You can't go wrong with any of these. I am a huge fan of Marker Training and it is a great way to train your dog and not need to fall back on any of the old Koehler methods (did that too 30 years ago...)