That is my problem. Something works for awhile, then boom, we are back to square one.

Two books I would suggest one is Control Unleashed by Leslie McDevitt or a class. or one level before Control unleash would be Chill out Fido how to calm your dog. BY Nan Kene Arthur.
Just having my dog look at me was not enough there was a need to do more.

JL

Thank you for reading suggestions. I'll check out these books.

My boys have demonstrated dramatic improvement in their behavior on our walks over the past 5 days.

The biggest change we made is how we exit the house. We usually go out the front door and that is where the trouble would begin. They are so excited about getting outside that they almost "explode" going out the door. I trained Max long ago to sit nicely while I hooked up his leash, but once the door opened, boom!

Now we go out through the garage and I carry the boys slowly down the driveway. This gives them a chance to look around and sniff the air in a calm manner, taking it all in slowly. While I'm holding them, I breathe deeply and slowly. Then I put them down and we start our walk peacefully.

Yoga-like breathing is helping in a lot of areas. I have been doing it in the car and Max has calmed down considerably. He has stopped barking at trucks, motorcycles, and pedestrians. No more whimpering or heavy breathing. He just relaxes in his seat.

On our walks, when we encounter a barking trigger like a dog or a person, I pick up Max and tell him "look at me" several times. I know picking him up goes against what every trainer recommends, but I haven't been able to communicate with him adequately when he is on the ground. Eventually I will work to leave him on the ground.

With Teddy, I leave him on the ground and give him soothing "shhhhhhhs." He follows my cues better than Max. If I continue walking confidently and at a good pace, he follows along.

Today we had a Lab and a Cocker Spaniel charge out of their yard at us. I was so impressed that Max didn't make a sound or tense a single muscle.

I'm hoping these improvements will stick. :)

Wow that's wonderful.
I have trained Buddy so sit befoe I open the door, then release him
once I am in the hall.
Once again down the stars he sit's until that door is opened then once
again he sits on the top step outdoors until I say come. No problem.

Well, this am we pass my vet's receptionist walking her lab, the lab
growls across the street at Buddy and "LET THE FIGHT BEGIN".
OMG he flung himself around as I janked his leash and fell on his back.
I wanted to kill him that's how upset I was. All the working over these
weeks and this nonsence. Once again I cused all the way home:(

I just think this is who he is. If the other dog just passes he'll give
a low growl under his breath but let the other dog growl at him
and he's ready for battle. I swear he thinks he's Rambo.

Good luck with continued progress. Maybe you can come and visit us
and teach Buddy. I certainly can't.

:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

That is AWESOME!!

I am sooo impressed. You are a Cesar Millan in the making! :p

Congratulations!

So usually when this happens it is one of two things the dog still has not genralized it to all places or it is pooping from short term to long term memory and what it is learning gets lost. Go back to the start and keep it up and it will goes from short to long term or genralize and work.

JL

Thank you! That means a lot to me coming from you.

Thank you for the tip.

I know this is a little off the subject but my little one, Sherlock, has never hardley barked at all (this could be that he is only 6 months old?). I have two other male dogs that are grown, a sheltie and an American Bulldog that weighs about 80 pounds. He has been around them since he was a baby. He loves both of them. He never barks at other dogs, he just runs to me to be picked up. I sometimes think that he is very atypical of a yorkie's personality. I believe that the big boys have taught him in some way to be respectful of other, bigger,dogs. When they bark at another dog or a noise, he runs to me. His half brother, who lives with my mom, is just like the yorkie personality that I read about. He, though, is an only child, with just my mom.

I don't think it is a matter of 'respect,' but I do think your Yorkie has the benefit of being well socialized with bigger dogs. That is really a plus. I wish that I knew some big dogs and their owners I could trust to work with my dogs.

My barker started at about age 6 months. Hopefully you will get lucky with Sherlock.