Brennan's Trip to the Pet Store - Need Some Advice

[Roxyluvsme13]

Well, I've been working on socializing Brennan, and last weekend we took him to Petco and Petsmart. He was a good boy in Petco, there weren't too many things to distract him, until he saw another dog . We were in the check out line though, so I was able to get him out of the store.

Okay, round two, we head to Petsmart. We're talking to this couple about their dogs (they happen to have a Pit Bull and a Pom!) and Brennan is being good, he actually laid down in the floor on his side and was just hanging out there like a very good boy. And then he saw another dog... He yowled like it was the end of the freakin' world and like he was DYING. He wanted to get to the other dog to say hi, play with them, whatever. There wasn't any threat within him with his actions, he just REALLY gets excited over other dogs. So, does anyone have any advice? What can I do to keep him from having a freakin' conniption fit when he sees another dog? He was EXCELLENT, and he's doing really well with his prong collar (got it to keep him from pulling on his leash, because he's a BAD puller), but he's still not making much progress with not freaking out over other dogs...

Any suggestions are very much appreciated. We've been invited to a Pit Bull adoption event tomorrow and I'd love to take him, but if he's going to make a fool out of himself, I'm not so sure if I want to take him!

[lolli94]

Our beagle does that when he gets excited or bored at auctions. We usually gently but firmly hold his mouth shut and say NO. You can try giving him treats for being quiet.

[Sowa]

Hmm, I'm not really sure. What I'm doing with Clover is at home I'm teaching her to look at me. I started off just if she looked up at me for a sec on her own, click and treat. I taught her watch me from there to get her attention. I also call her name randomly through the day and click and treat if she looks at me so she learns her name means look at me. Basically a lot of focus work. We are starting to do this outside. Start off with less distraction and work your way up as he gets better. I really don't know if that will work when he's so excited but maybe if you can find something he really loves like a treat or toy you can keep him from getting to that level of excitement. Like if you see a dog coming, start working with him before he sees it or try to get him to play with his toy (or whatever he likes best).

I'm really not sure though, sorry I can't be more help! Be sure to keep us up to date, I'd love to know how you get it to work for you. (So I can do it too! )

[Taz_Zoee]

I have this problem with Zoee. Only she raises the hair on her back and that is NOT okay. Yet if she approaches the dog she is totally fine with them.

Anyway, the suggestions Sowa gave were great. I volunteered in a leash reactive class and that is how they did it. Then you start going out into the big bad world very slowly. You want to go somewhere that you will not come face to face with a dog right off the bat. Go to a park or a place where are dogs far away. Do the look/treat method. Gradually (over days) move closer to the distraction always treating. Then only treat every other time and so on so eventually you can eliminate the treats. To get to that point could take months. Be consistent! That's the key and that's what I am not. But I have seen it work with other dogs.

Good luck and let us know how it goes!

[Freedom]

I suggest you take group obedience classes with Brennan. You can find a place near you using this:
http://www.apdt.com/petowners/ts/default.aspx

You want a place that teaches positive reinforcement training.

[Karen]

Yes, distract and refocus on you, even if it make you feel silly. And I agree, bribes with a bit of treat or a toy (if he likes tug ropes those are easy to stick in a pocket for outings, and less likely to get lost than a tennis ball) may help. He's still young, so he's a work in progress! (Which you can tell anyone who stares ..)

[BitsyNaceyDog]

I suggest you take group obedience classes with Brennan. You can find a place near you using this:
http://www.apdt.com/petowners/ts/default.aspx

You want a place that teaches positive reinforcement training.

I agree. It'd help with socialization and obedience. In addition to looking for a place that uses positive training, I'd look for a place that leash trains with a gentile leader, (way better than a prong collar, in my opinion).

[Sowa]

I have this problem with Zoee. Only she raises the hair on her back and that is NOT okay. Yet if she approaches the dog she is totally fine with them.

Clover does this too, it's not necessarily bad. Clover does it when she's excited to see a new dog. It might be the same with Zoee?

[Roxyluvsme13]

Thanks for all the tips everyone .

Lily and Brennan are going to the vet today to get their rabies shot, and I'm sure there's going to be other dogs there. So I think I'll take along some treats and see if I can get him to focus on me instead of another dog.

He's VERY food motivated so we'll see how he does. I'll update later when I get back!