Have you ever tried noise distraction...when Louie wont come back, I change my voice to high pitch or use my fingers and whistle. And I wouldnt worry about how he reacts to strangers, Louie's hackles go up and he woofs, but he's fine after they get down to his level.

Well I haven't ever been in this situation before, so never tried distraction in this situation. When I have him on a lead and I see a situation coming that I think he might react to, I will make funny noises or squeak his ball and if I get in first, he responds well. However one he gets distracted by something/someone he's pretty hard to bring back to earth, so it's a case of seeing it and reacting before he does.

Under the circumstances I think he did well. He barked at them they were lurking he didn't attack he listened and acted on your commands. Ollie would do the same.

Food treats dont work? warm hotdogs are the best, Our benjie is dog aggressive so we have to find new ways of distracting him all the time, squeaky voices dont work, toys dont work, food rarely works...so I guess I'm in the same boat as you really...If i find something new, I'll let you know

he sounds quite a character Seems like you are making progress then is he still fairly young?

PS, squeaky balls are hard to resist LOL (for the dog I mean lol)

When at home or in class food treats work really well bit soon as he's outside with distractions, he loses all interest in food, he'll literally turn his head away, or take the treat and drop it. I've tried every treat going from hot dog to black pudding to cheese to sausage etc, no good. A squeaky toy works for a low-medium distraction, Ive not found anything that works without fail yet and sometimes I totally lose him and nothing I do gets him back until the distraction is gone.

Yes he is a character Yes he's still young and in his troubled teen years. He's 16 months old now, so I've had him for 8 months. Because he missed so much in his puppy months, he reverted to a very young behaviour when we got him, everything is super exciting and stimulating in the big wide world. It's slow but steady progress, we'll get there

My dog went through a phase of that (probably about that age too, only not scared) thats when I gave up on food!! Toys/play works better but I found by having a toy just for outside and play with me only (not other dogs) with no access to it at home worked pretty quickly. Keeping him in anticipation (at first made a fuss of the toy until he wanted it, then put it away so he couldn't get it) and keeping it positive (eventually bringing it out on walks when just us and only playing a short while until he got really into and stopped...building up gradually) now I can have him off lead in Edinburgh meadows, local parks etc, Seems like its just a 'teenage stage' as you say.

Probably all stuff you know...just thought that it might be worth sharing, if it helps in any way. He still dosn't get the ball unless I give it to him or am playing with him, I have to be vigilant though as he has been known to open bags etc to steal it Nobody can call a dog daft eh lol He now has a toy box, believe it or not how daft do I sound, a toy box for a dog be a padlock next..

Tuna paste? Our dogs go crazy when we open a tin of tuna or sardines for them. It will instantly stop them in their tracks. Dont know if it'll work out on the streets, I'll try and get back to you with it, it'll work for the pup and Sadie but Benjie...lol keep up with the training he'll get there

Thanks guys, you've all been really helpful And made me feel a bit more confident about the whole thing Ill try tuna, he does like fish. I hope you get there with Benjie too. Cain had a special squeaky ball that he adores, and he only ever gets to play with that on walks, which works better than food. Maybe ai should try being a mean mummy and restricting all squeaky toys to walks only I would feel really mean though