Hi. We've got two dogs one is 9 and the other is 2. The older dog has always been a bit nervous about other dogs on walks and shows interest in them and sometimes barks a little. The younger dog has always been really good until recently. He's really good with other dogs, goes to dog class twice a week and is friendly with any dog he meets but recently he's started barking at dogs whilst out on walks. It's quite embarrassing when the dogs walking past walk past without even giving our dogs a second glance! As I'm away at university I don't walk our dogs often only every other weekend when I'm home but I've noticed their behaviour on walks when they see other dogs has become really bad recently. I've also found that when our dogs are walked separately they don't bark at other dogs (just show a bit of an interest) but when they are together if one shows an interest the other will and then they end up barking! How can we get them to stop barking at other dogs when on a walk? How do people have perfect dogs that just ignore other ones that walk past?

Both dogs are fine with other dogs that they know (friends and families dogs) but it's dogs they don't know on walks that they bark at! And sometimes it turns into hysterical barking not just one or two barks. And both dogs spur each other on. When they're alone you say no and keep walking and they ignore the other dog but when they're together they're bad.

I would walk them separately (and ask whoever walks them in the week to do this) and go armed with high value rewards, and reward each dog really well for just SEEING another dog, try to avoid the other dog getting too close.

If whoever is walking them is pushed for time and must walk them together, then its probably better they either go somewhere really quiet without other dogs or wait until very late or very early and walk them then, when theres less chance of seeing other dogs - this avoids them practicing the behaviour.

Then when you are home, walk them together but with another person, and both be armed with rewards and practice as above, rewarding for seeing (regardless of what the dog is doing, don't ask for any particular behaviour) and avoiding getting too close.

I have this issue with my youngsters (8 months and nearly two) as they get frustrated at not being able to greet the other dog.  I don't allow them to as I walk 6 dogs and other dogs would probably find this too much.

They know the command quiet, and if i see the other dofg first I get tehm to look at me (I use headcollars on all 6) and repeat quietly 'quiet'. 

I really praise for self control and quiet, give a check and ah ah, if they start barking and put myself in their line of sight.

Of course i also explain and appologise to the other dog owner.  In the mantime the other fout look bored.

Interestingly if the other owner stops just out of reach and we get talking they very quickly settle, so I knwo they are jsut 'fustrted greeters'.

They do not react likw this at shows whwre there are lots and lots of dogs, only the odd dog appearing gets them excited.

Sorry had to laugh "perfect dogs " I am still working on that one !!

join the club chris!if only!

pam lol !

My puppy barks at other dogs when I take him out for his toilets, to the back garden. Its dogs that he can't see, ones that live in other gardens. I have another dog and they get on well. I wouldn't mind the puppy having a little bit of a bark at the other dogs, but I have a neighbour who would. Any ideas how to keep him a bit quieter?