As some of you know I have a 3 year old lab bitch and 2  6 month old Bichon Frise bitches. Recently walks have been hell. I walk them all together but I don't let the Bichons off the lead ever... not reliable yet. Problem is, recently the 2 Bichons have started to bark at everyone and everything we meet. I've just returned from the park totally sweaty and embarrased at the circus we  create.  They growl and bark as though they're vicious but then wag and talk nicely within seconds if anyone is brave enough to talk to them then walk on and repeat the whole show again at the next unknown person/dog etc. No amount of distraction with treats/toys stops them.

Help please or I will have to start going out in disguise I'm so embarrased.

Gill

Hi Gill, IMO 6 month old dogs need one on one attention, try walking the lab with one pup and then one pup alone and swap the pups around each day, so each of the pups get your undivided attention at least once every other day. Walking them together they are backing one another up and taking no notice of you, who they consider superfluous to their requirements.

That's quite likely the case Jackie. They do seem to egg each other on. They could have separate walks just they'd need to be shorter as there just isn't time to do 3 really good walks twice a day per dog. I'd certainly be fit tho :D

Hi Gee
Its Pauline here with Molly & Fudge. I have had major problems with my computer & lost all my emails, thus the reason I have not been intouch. I searched Champdogs with the hope you had posted so I could contact you, can you email me again so I have your email address & can communicate again. Cheers Pauline.

Hi Gill
I have 2 Border Collies, that are the same when out together, I have to start taking them out seperatley as they are to strong to control when they are barking at people. My 2, like yours wag their tails etc, but I no what you mean it is embarresing!

I also have a 2 and a half year old Bichon, who is lovely and causes no problems when out, thank god!! :)

Jo

Hi Gill,
I know exactly how you feel. My oldest beagle will bark at anything that moves. She sounds really awful when she starts to bark, as if shes going to eat them alive. I get some awful looks and people will cross the road when they see me coming with her because of the performance she makes.
I must admit she is worse when we take the two of them out together but she still goes mad when on her own. I have tried all kinds. At the moment she is steadily improving and i have found that if i see a dog from a distance i will make sure we walk past it but i will keep my distance, but so she can still see it. From a distance she will look and grumble but i can keep her focused on me. When we get past the dog without any disturbance i treat and praise her alot. You can also try this in a park where dogs are playing or somewhere where there are other dogs around but you can keep her at a distance at first and then gradually work closer to them as she improves.
I have found that the distance has given me control over her and she is gradually getting better and i will try walking closely past another dog as she improves.
I hope things start to improve, keep us posted.

hi   
i have the same problem with my 2 yr old shih tzu male.He barks and jumps about , while my bitch put's on the baby girning act as she loves attention.
If anyone or anything comes near my male he hides behind me.
My son has started to take him out seperately so i'll soon see if there is a change.
My dobe however still bark's, growls' jump's and frighten's everyone and every thing. It's a bit of a nightmare at present as they are starting to build houses on my street so it's constantly filled with lorry's, diggers and the poor workmen.
I on my own now and have to try build a bridge with my dobe that started with her being frightened of my husband , thus hates men.

Pamie o

Someone liveing near us had the same with a scottie, she got an anti bark collar and it stopped it apparently within 1/4 hour of putting it on, the relationship in the parks, neighbours (we could hear it a lot) and her own with the dog have been such an improvement.

hi, i totally agree that they will be easier separated, my gsd was into barking at everyone he saw when we were out. i said no VERY firmly every time and rewarded him every time he stopped. this sounds easy, but was very embaressing and took time and lots and lots of apologising! if he had a friend to egg him on, this would have been impossible as when he gets excited, there's no talking to him.  another thing i did was, every time(when they were with me) was to send the kids running off, so he'd be more worried about loosing them than terrorising the neighbourhood!  this worked a treat.

Hi All
Some time has passed since my original post. They are definitely making slow but steady progress. They do complain but not quite so loudly if anyone walks past them. We have been trying to walk them with the family so that different family members take one dog each. That's so much easier as two little bichons don't sound like much of a problem but boy can they pull when they're excited. It also means that one person can give them their undivided attention and correct them effectively with a firm NO. We're nowhere near "cured" but at least we can see an improvement.
Gill:)