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Originally Posted by izzy816  I am so frustrated with Izzy, I dont know what to do. Overall he is very sweet and will listen to me. My biggest problem with him...which is turning into a HUGE problem is his barking. When we go on walks he gets agressive and will bark so loud and out of control when he sees other dogs, squirrels, cats or birds, that I cant take it. I hate to take him on walks!!! I know he needs them and I like going too. His bark is so bad that people probably think I am hurting him. He almost screams and squeals like he is hurt. I try to tell him "quiet" or "no" but he is so beside himself that he doesnt listen. I have to pick him up and hold him and walk away. He's also out of control at home when animals pass by the house. He will sit in the window nice an quite until...a squirrel or cat passes by!! At home I tried the pennies in a can and water, neither works. He will stop when I squirt the water or shake the can but he will start right back up again. This is so frustrating. What do I do? Please help!!!  |
I can't help you with the window thing, because Teddy will do that but only for a little while. But I can tell you that Teddy exhibited the same behavior when I would take him out for walks... right down to the tee. He was just like Izzy. I was in your position as well, and I would be so afraid to take him outside because it was so frustrating when we would see another dog, and he would bark like crazy. He does still in fact bark at dogs that are right next to him. I don't have any suggestions on how to remedy your situation, but I will say this: sometimes dogs can sense when their owner is nervous, frustrated, and upset. Whenever I would see a dog, I would tense up and grab his lease to the point where I would be so afraid of him barking that I think my nervousness added to his own anxiety. However, when I calmed down, and would quietly say, "Come on teddy," trying my hardest to appear calm and collected, he sensed that there was no real danger and would walk away with his pulling at his lease. He would maybe growl but it would be no where near the shrieks he would emit when I would be nervous as well as he. Try it. If you act like its a normal situation, I really believe that your baby will calm down. I know mine did.
Also, as a tip, because I know he gets anxious around other dogs, I try to avoid them by crossing the street before he can see them. Trust me, it works. Scan the area when you walk, and if you see another dog, then turn the corner. It really does help. With these two improvements, I walk teddy for hours and not fear he will bark, and scream to the point where i would have regretted doing it in the first place.