He loves the sit to stand, stand to down, down to sit...all the easy stationary commands its like as soon as I give some slack and get up over him standing he goes bonkers with fear and tries to run

Are you practicing at home? He sounds like he is somewhat insecure. Your classes are just a learning experience, more for you than for your dog. The real work is done at home. Being consistent is really important. At least two fun sessions a day with lots of treats and upbeat encouragement will help.

It could be the dogs in that class are causing your little one to freak out. Are they well controlled and staying away from your little one? If your pup is really nervous you may want to look into a smaller class until he has built up some self confidence.

True...the other dogs are a collie, a pittbull, and a huge great dane...plus two of his littermates and a Chihuahua. She suggested taking him to doggy daycare but...if he's already so scared he's snapping and running away wouldn't that cause him to b attacked....?

I'd ask to be moved to a petite class or at least one with a lot less dogs.
Does he act afraid at home?

I wouldn't use hotdogs, too much salt, fat, chemicals, and they probably have onion.
Petsmart has treats in the refrigerator, dog joy chicken treats. They have a strong smell, I'd try those instead.

I don't know what his fear is rooted in but if he is having that much of a problem maybe consider working on his obedience at home and try socializing him slowly, with just one dog at a time for now.

I agree that putting him in a doggy day care with that kind of reaction would be a problem for him and for the other dogs. He's not ready for it. Work on his obedience at home and try taking him for walks in areas where there are not a lot of people and animals. Once he is OK with walking in public then try taking him to places where he may see just a few people and animals but not too close. He is going to need a lot of patience. Don't push him too fast. He needs to develop self confidence.

If you can keep advancing with the obedience at home and then gradually have him adjust to new circumstances he may come around but it is not going to happen over night. Give him time. Once he feels secure that you are in charge and going to take care of him no matter what he will start to relax and feel self confident. Right now it sounds like he is a nervous wreck.

I've been working with a trainer with my yorkie and he believes clicker training is the quickest way to train. The first exercise takes 15 minutes a day for 2 weeks. Each session takes 5 minutes and will work on his focus and start the building block a reliable recall. Timing is key.


For the first 2 minutes you click and treat (this is called charging the cliker). For the 3rd minute he must look at you first and then you click and treat. For the 4th minute, he looks at you, then you say his name then click and treat. And the last minute, he looks at you, then you say his name and then come (or whatever your recall word is) and then click and treat. As mentioned above do not always do this in the same location or position as dogs do not generalize.
Karen Pryor is an American dog trainer and I believe she has website devoted to clicker training. \\


The biggest problem I have with clicker training is keeping his interest in food for that long lol. I use various types of treats, but will only use single ingredient, North American products, such as chicken jerky (Free range, antibiotic free Canadian Chicken) or lamb lung (but no too much) Good luck with your training.

Thanks, one day at a time for us...they sure r different then cavaliers and Chihuahuas lol! But he's worth it