Hi, I wrote sometime ago about my young dog barking when on the park and encountering people. Thanks to the advice given, I seem to have cured that for most of the time. However, picture this, a quiet village with just the normal humdrum of vehicles and locals chatting and then along comes Oscar who commences barking (and whimpering) for the first 5 minutes of the walk regardless of whether there is anything there or not. I have recently been taking him to the busiest parts of the village and just sitting with him and ignoring any barking - not seen much difference yet. If my husband and I are both with him, when one of us disappears to the shop for a paper etc. the whimpering increases. Could this barking be fear motivated as he whimpers quite alot? He is 8 months old now and is it just a matter of confidence and like the park he will get over it in time. I keep getting curious looks from the locals who probably think I have been torturing him in some way. Any advice would be much appreciated.

Does he know his basic obedience? If so I would bring a tasty toy like a stuffed Kong put him in a down position and give him his kong. Maybe he will realize that it is ok and nothing is going to happen to him. When he makes noises/barks/whines tell him no and put him in a down. I have done this with Junior with success. Good luck :)

ttfn :)

Yes, he has been to training club. I hadn't thought about taking his kong with us. When I have a treat I have his complete attention but when the treats are gone, he goes back to the whining. This evening on the park he barked at a young boy on a bike and partly chased him. I will try what you've suggested in the hope that things will improve. Do you think that these scented collars might be useful? Thanks alot.