Desensitize?

[Terrasage]

This continues to be an issue with William. I purchased a Gentle Leader for him, which helps with control and we have been going for 2 mile walks 5-6 days week.

It is now spring and more dogs are out and about. While still "interested" in other dogs, if they are a distance away, I can keep his attention 'mostly.' However, when in close proximity, he barks his head off.

I'm thinking of walking him to a local vets and working with him outside the building (as dogs are going in and out) as a way of desensitizing him and training him to keep his focus on me. Any thoughts or tips for me gang?

I'm out of town for the next few days, but will be anxious to see what you all have to say about my idea. Thanks!

 

[blstarke]

I would either use a regular chain collar or a prong collar.
Praise him when he is quiet and correct when he barks.
You want to have patience with desentization training. Do you have a friend with a dog ?
Maybe she could work with you?
Too many dogs at once could set him back.
is it a happy bark os aggressive?
Is he neutered? How old is he?

 

[TerriW]

I had to buy a prong collar. Sounds cruel...but I bought it because when Max was 3 or so, he became very hard to control if he saw deer. He pulled so hard once it ripped my wedding ring off - diamonds went flying - and cut a 2-inch scar in my finger that I have today. Am lucky I didn't lose my finger. (The marriage was doomed - what an omen!)

After he pulled like that again literally dragging me across the yard, I went with the prong collar. After one or two pulls on that, he never pulled again, and I went back to his regular collar.

 

[berryann]

There's a difference between desensitization and flooding. If you hang out outside the vet's office just to expose him to tons of dogs in the hope that he'll get used to them, it might work, or it might make it worse as he could feel overwhelmed.
To desensitize him you need to be far enough away from the other dog so that he isn't reacting. Give him praise and treats for remaining calm and keeping his attention on you. Slowly, over days or weeks, you can decrease the distance as long as he remains calm. If he starts barking or pulling toward the other dog you're going too fast.
When you're on walks and see another dog, try feeding him tiny treats rapidly (think pez dispenser!) as soon as you see the other dog. Make the treats something yummy he doesn't get otherwise, so he'll be more interested in them than in the other dog. As soon as you're past the other dog, the treats disappear. The idea is to build an association in his mind - "when I see another dog, my human is going to give me great stuff! Another dog means look to my human for braunschweiger!"

 

[2Paws]

I think I would have to agree with Berryann. You don't want to set William up for failure. I wouldn't hang out at the vets. Berryann has some very good suggestions.

When I had this problem with Benson, I used a prong (not cruel if fitted correctly and used correctly) and really worked on getting his attention on me instead of the other dogs or other people.

The big trick is finding the distance when William starts reacting, working at that distance until you get success and then shortening that distance. I believe SAR or Susan talked about that in a much earlier post with this same kind of behavior and how to work with it...sorry don't have the link. A search might get it for you.

Second big trick is to be aware of the potential for that type of behavior. Do you see the dogs in the distance that may cause this type of reaction? I'm always watching and try to be aware of what is around us so nothing surprises me or my dogs. If I see a potential problem, I'll continue with my constant talking with Glory and or Benson, keeping it very low key and natural, keeping their attention on me while we are approaching the problem. I always keep treats on me and will resort to being the pez dispenser if it keeps their focus on me!

My dogs have learned to trust me and my reactions. If I get nervous, they get nervous. That is way I always try to be aware of what is around me. HTH