My 2year old Cavalier is very well behaved in the car and in the house but a nightmare on the lead. I have tried 2 different trainers for advice but one said pull him to the side of me and put your foot in front of him,the other said to give him treats and to pull the lead straight up. He barks at other dogs as they go past our garden fence and barks if we meet any dogs when walking. I had just been reading about the Amichien method until I came across your forum and wondered if anyone could help me. I have just retired and I want to enjoy walking with Theo.  Thanks

http://www.deesdogs.com/documents/loose_leash_diagramed.doc
http://www.deesdogs.com/documents/letsgoforawalktogether.pdf
http://www.deesdogs.com/documents/strolling_on_lead.doc
http://www.learningaboutdogs.com/acatalog/walktogdvd.html
http://www.clickertraining.com/node/541

Look under loose leash walking here:

http://www.clickersolutions.com/articles/index.htm#basic

You need to figure out why he'sbarking first,I know you've had 2 trainers in already but I'd try another. Contact your local vet for help but my guess with a cavvie is either fear or excitment. If excitment try to tire him out a little prior to the walk with some play or some seeking games.Then ensure you aren't encouraging a hyperstate by putting the lead on when he's over excited, make sure he sits and waits for you at the door.  Not for pack leadership but so he leaves the house calmly if he's all worked up he could feel it's ok to be barking at dogs whilst on the lead and dogs in hyperstates can't hear commands well either.

If it's fear based you need helpasit's important to establish at what point the fear starts,when lead goes on, at door when he hears the other dog or is it the sight of the other dog?

It's just a guess as can't say without seeingthe behaviour so do try another trainer.

Thanks for advice,he is now good before we go for the walk, that bit we did manage to get right. He sits at each doorway and I go first, he moves through house calmly on a loose lead and sits with front door open and waits to be told "out". The barking starts when we meet other dogs , i`m sure it`s excitement and i don`t know whether the barking at dogs as they go past our fence is normal or not. When they`ve past he stops barking.

Had a good look at these links,going to try them tomorrow. Seem far kinder and more how I want to treat Theo than pulling him around as I have been previously advised. Many thanks.

I expect it is barrier frustration when out on walks and of course he thinks that barking is making the dogs go away, he has no idea that they will pass anyway.

Dogs learn by cause and effect, he barks = dogs go away therefore his barking is making the dogs disappear.

I would try to prevent him practising this behaviour as of course the longer he does it the better he will get at it.

Look here for a potential solution.

http://www.clickersolutions.com/articles/2001c/manicbarking.htm