Quote:
Originally Posted by AllDogBoots  We did this continually while Cooper pranced past us sticking his tongue out at Max. |
Cooper!
QS, my problem with Max passing other dogs is that he thinks if we can't meet the dog, it must be a threat. In a way, he is correct. We worked successfully on socializing him with dogs and owners that are safe, but there are many that are not safe.
When we are walking, he spots the dog that he knows we aren't going to meet. He sits nicely and waits for the dog to approach and then boom! He launches into the second mode of "I will kill you" and there is no snapping him out of it. We walk in the road and the other dogs are on the opposite side. Trainers usually advise changing direction. That does me no good because we would end up walking with the other dog. Not to mention, Max digs in and wants to stay. He would happily let me drag him on the pavement or gravel before give in to me.
Yesterday on our walk, when we arrived at the house with the large springer spaniel behind an invisible fence, Max prepared to bark. I managed to stop him by throwing yummy treats on the ground, under his nose. He didn't completely relax, but he didn't bark. I'm going to try this when we pass a dog walking on the street. Holding a treat in front of his nose has not worked, but maybe throwing the treat on the ground will. His attitude when I held the treat was, "I'll bark first and then eat that treat."