Ben McF - we don't use the clicker this way at any other time. Agility training, learning other commands - all done the way you described earlier.
Just while we rehabbed Missy from aggression on lead we did rapid.

No problem. With regards to what I've suggested, obviously they go along with tasty treats and praise.

I think it's obvious that Bryan would be stressed at first when in the middle of a dog training class, training him out of a behaviour he's had for a long time won't disappear overnight, as you know, it takes time and consistency for it to work. Perhaps if you persevered then, in time, he would calm down and realise that other dogs aren't a big deal? Just a thought.

I know you can't stress other dogs out in class, but perhaps if you got a class where dogs barking in the middle of the class didn't bother the dogs in the class, that might work. I know my two wouldn't be that bothered about it if it continued for a while.

When you say you cross the road for the benefit of the other dog owners, you're not exactly going to let Bryan do any physical damage to their dogs so never mind them, just walk right by them! This is the ideal situation where you wish you could wear vest or jackets that say "Work in Progress" to help those dog owners who won't understand what's happening!

I think for Bryan to overcome his excitableness about other dogs, he has to be around a lot of dogs on a regular basis, i.e daily for him to realise that it's a normal situation for him to be in and that he has no need to bark frantically at them.

I really wish you all the best with Bryan.

Yes I definately need one of those vests! I usually try to say to the other person 'It's just because he's on his lead - ignore him!' I probably shouldn't be worrying about the other person though.

He socialises with a lot of dogs every day - I meet some friends in the field every morning and we have 5 dogs running together with no problems (on a weekend there's up to 9 of us). With dogs he knows well he's fine when he's on his lead - he'll get excited, but doesn't bark.

Thanks for the help Westie, going to get you some reppies

And I'm going to add a long stick with a mirror on to my shopping list lol

Hi,
This behaviour goes back to the pack idea. He is on the lead so you are taking away his ability to flee or to freeze, in this case the only option he has left is to fight. Overall i'm not sure how best to correct this but i'd try a choke chain, but make sure you get instructions on how to use it correctly.

No problem at all, just trying to be of help!

I think I would wear a vest that informed all people, not just dog owners, that my dog was a "Work in Progress" if I had to. Would get some strange looks but so what! Oh, and the curved mirror on a long stick!

Perhaps you could start with doing some training, on lead, with these dogs that he knows well and is able to mix with, then move to places such as a park where there are bound to be dogs he doesn't know, both on and off their leads. Possibly gradually building him up to a class environment where they are dogs he doesn't know? Seeing as it's a case of him rebelling when he sees dogs he doesn't know when he's on lead, could be trying to protect you as he sees them as a threat but you just have to reinforce it to him that you are in charge.

Try not to concern yourself too much with other dog owners, just concentrate on Bryan and forget them! You could teach him (again, will take time but is possible) to focus on you when you meet dogs on their leads he doesn't know, like the "look" or "watch me" command. Might be worth a shot and won't harm him in the slightest.

Hmmm, your post just reminded me of the clip I seen years ago of Barbara Woodhouse yanking a dog with a choke chain because it barked at certain moving vehicles on the road. Even when the dog was sitting nicely at the side of the road when lorries and buses etc were going by, she still yanked him off his feet and shouted at him. No praise, no positive reinforcement, no nothing, the dog looked so forlorn. It was sad viewing and I think, well I hope, most caring and compassionate dog owners have moved on from this draconian way of training. Like "having to break the dog's spirit". No thanks, I like a bit of spirit in my dogs. They have character and know their place without being shouted down at and feeling fearful of me.

I don't believe he's trying to protect me as the behaviourist at DT proved he wasn't trying to attack the other dog. He just wanted to get to it.

We just met two rotties which he barked at even though I managed to turn a corner into a field before he'd started barking! I just kept walking though and made him follow.

Then as we were coming out of the lane we met a man who lives near us with a dog that is dog aggressive, but Bryan didn't bark at it (he usually does). Maybe it was because I was feeling in a more positive frame of mind after reading some of the advice on here.

Keep your fingers crossed for me everyone

I understand that, but think of it a different way as well, he doesn't know that the other dog is not a threat until he gets to it, then he realises the dog it probably ok afterall and is not a threat to you or him! Just a thought, trying to think of all the logical reasons for him behaving the way he does when he is on lead and spots another dog.

Excellent tonight, though! As I've already said, you have to show him you are in charge and as you are feeling more positive it should hopefully rub off on him. Keep focused on him, keep positive and calm and keep up the good work!

Aw thanks mate

I used to think to myself 'I wish I knew WHY he does this!' but then I thought it doesn't matter WHY it just matters that he does it. I get the impression he doesn't even know why he does it - it's just a habit now.

That's possible....it may now just be a habit that has formed that is proving difficult to break. However, I always believe they do something like this for a reason or they wouldn't do it.

Keep us posted on his progress. There WILL be progress and I look forward to hearing it!