Dog Training Help Needed?

Question

When I walk my 1 year old mini American Eskimo (25 lbs), and my 10 year old shepard mix (65 lbs) they are ok until they see another dog. They flip out and bark uncontrollably. They are friendly, I think they just get excited to see another "friend". It is embarassing when they won't listen to me and stop, and I think it scares other people and dogs because they take it as aggressive. How do I get them to not bark and stay calm? I'm calm and don't think I put out a bad vibe. What can I do?

Answer 1

First you need to teach your dogs the meaning of Be Quiet or whatever word you like to use...I say Don't be rude! and my dogs understand because I started out by saying that everytime they barked at a dog or a person and when they stopped gave them a reward so now they know that command so when I see another dog coming I give them the sit command and then I quietly repeat dont be rude the whole time the other dog is walking by and they listen very well because they are always rewarded for good behaviour. I find the best thing to do is teach your dog the meaning of as many words as you can like for barking my dogs know the meaning of and listen to Quiet, Enough, and Dont be rude. So in any given situation I use those words to stop them from barking Quiet is my preventative word which I say to them before letting them out into the yard and "Enough" is used to stop them from barking when I am outside in the yard with them "Dont be rude" is used as a preventative and a command for when they bark at people or dogs. All you have to remember is to be consistent (use thesame word or phrase every time) and forceful in your tone of voice and always reward for the right behaviour!!! If they dont listen make them!! never ever back down you are the master if you do this they will listen every time and dont forget to rewad reward reward!! for proper behavior!!

Answer 2

My mailman wouldn't deliver the mail one day because of my American Eskimo! He wrote on the mail "dog outside" and I know this was because my dog just goes crazy barking... He not only barks at strangers, he barks at friends too-it's just a different bark. I'm sure the type of dog can be trained not to bark but it would take a lot of work! My eskimo is over 10 years old now and still barks like crazy and scares people! I think the key is just to keep the dogs leashed!

Answer 3

When my eskie starts barking at another dog, I say "no!" firmly and tug on her leash. If she continues to bark, I pull her straight home without letting her stop to sniff at anything. This works well because I walk her at a park pretty close to my house. I took her home every day for a week after being out with her for about three minutes, and she learned pretty quickly that barking would only end her walk. Now I haven't had to drag her home abruptly in about year. I can see sometimes that she WANTS to bark, but she doesn't. It's a good trick!

Answer 4

I would first try to avoid the situation if possible. Turn and go another way. If you cannot avoid the situation, get your dogs to Sit!. Sit is a neutral position. Down is submissive and Stand is offensive. Sit it neutral. Give them a treat while they are sitting. Talk softly to them, make funny faces. Anything to keep them looking at you instead of the on coming dog.

If the on coming people with the dog will let your dogs great them, do it on a loose leash. Dogs will pull against a tight leash. If you pull them in a few inches and slack the leash you will see their body language change. On a tight leash they are thinking "me and this army behind me are going to get you". When the leash is loose they think "Oh Oh", and calm down.

Answer 5

Instead of waiting til they flip out and start barking, be proactive....
You need to set up an example where you will see other dogs on the walk. BEFORE you actually see the other dogs, get your dogs attention by giving pieces of treats and praise while walking. If you keep praising your dog and hold his attention, he will ignore the other dogs. Do this OVER and OVER and OVER and OVER and OVER and OVER until eventually he learns that he is supposed to pay attention to you and not other dogs. Spanking etc after he barks does no good. Positive reinforcement works best!!!!!!

Answer 6

Your dogs are barking because they are being held back by leashes...take them to an off leash park and give them loads of praise when they meet other dogs. Also, american eskimos just bark at dogs all the time...it's part of their breed personality.

Answer 7

I would walk them one at a time. See if they set each other off.
Figure which one is the aggressor, walk them and ignore other dogs. Don't let them start barking. As soon as you see them start to get interested in another dog, put them in the sit position,
and enforce it. You are to be walking them, where you want to go, not where they want to go. Get a couple of dog saddle bags.
Put water bottles in them. It will tire them out more.

Answer 8

Start by walking one dog at a time. Use a choke collar on them. You are not being a dominant pack leader pet owner. Watch the dog whisperer on National Geographic Channel. There you will find answers to all your pet rearing questions.

Answer 9

Get some control of your dogs. Seriously.... check out the Dog Whisperer on National Geographic. He also has DVDs. He gives good advice that works.

Buy a choke collar, learn how to use it correctly and train your dogs.

I don't blame others for being upset by your dogs behavior. It says to me that you have no control over your dogs. And that your dogs have no respect for you as their leader.

I have 14 dogs, I have to be the alpha.

Answer 10

My Dalmatian does this...she loves to meet new dog/friends. She romps about with them and within 3 minutes or less, they are sitting there as we/the neighbors talk. Some growl and are threatened by her activeness and fast movements...she means no harm. I just roll with it or speak from a short distance so she can calm down and then approach.....Good luck...each dog is different!