If your puppy is well socialized with other dogs as well as humans (as both are recommended) then I would start with the turn-around method. It worked with Sprout. I don't remember where I read it or saw it...but it definitely worked for us.
This is what we did:
When you're walking, the *second* your puppy sees another dog and begins to bark...turn around and start walking the other direction (from whence you came). Your dog should stop barking when you're moving opposite the other dog. The *moment* he stops barking...freak out and praise him lavishly like a complete spazz. lol (who cares if people see/hear you). This will let him know that you really like it when he's quiet. Once he's been quiet and you've praised him, then and only then, turn around and start walking toward the dog again. If he barks...keep repeating the above steps. Eventually, he'll realize that you prefer him not to bark at other animals on his walk. Sprout took a good week or so of doing this before he caught on..but once he did he was good to go (no reverting).
As a side note though...I *strongly* recommend that you pick your puppy up whenever you are going to be crossing paths with another dog on the same side of the street. Some dogs who look friendly, whose owners even *say* they are friendly - aren't. I always pick Sprout up when we come within a certain range of another animal on the same sidewalk, and put him down again when they are at a safe distance (even if they're on a leash). |