I have a similar problem with my 5-month old yorkie, Dunkin. He's so well behaved inside. Aside from some puppy antics and the usual accidents, he's doing really well. But as soon as we get outside, any people walking in the distance or dogs being walked make him go nuts ... but he's not only barking. He starts to growl and lunge at them, even if they are 100ft away! We're in a townhouse community, so there are always people out and about, and his barking is disturbing the the neighbors.
We've tried desensitizing with treats for the past 2 months, but he's just too worked up by the distractions to even take the treats. Sometimes he'll take the treat but start barking while it's in his mouth. We invested in a small squirt bottle yesterday, and I hope it helps to give him a quick squirt when he barks/growls.
He's such a good companion, and I would hate to think that we can't ever take him to parks or places in public. (You don't even want to know how AWFUL he did the last time I tried to take him to run an errand at PETCO.)
If you find a solution that works for you, please let me know!! |