Stay with the dog school classes and make an appointment to meet with the instructor privately, before the next class.
I also found that the type of collar used is very important in training.
I agree too with others here that barking and aggression can be very different behaviors.
Remi is great with other dogs in class. However, if a new dog joins the group, he and most of the other dogs in the class are not happy. He attempts to make eye contact or bark. The eye contact is, what I believe, the start of the problem. Because we all know in class that this will happen when a new dog arrives, we correct the dogs immediately, preventing the eye contact, growling or barking, even before it happens. It takes constant vigilance but it works for all of us.
Another tip the instructor gave us has to do with focus and attention. If the dog is focused on the handler because there is a treat involved, he is less likely to look over at another dog. We practice this when we do figure eights in class and our dog has to pass close by two other dogs who are standing as "stanchions". I keep a treat in my fingers but I do not let it go. Permitting Remi to nibble on the treat while the others are moving around him has really worked.
Hope this information has helped!
Good luck with your training. |