RuthMccollum

Hi Adrienne. I have a little 10 month old miniature schnauzer who had really improved as far as barking and lunging at other dogs when we're out for walks. I anticipate any issues ahead of time if I can, giving him some distance, distracting him with treats as soon as I see a dog in the distance. Once in a while he does react, especially when we see other dogs when it is dark outside. However recently I've been unable to get his barking and distracted behavior under control for more than a few minutes at a time. This is happening at a dog training class. Bruno starts barking as soon as I let him out of the car. The instructor put up a small fence with blankets so that I can bring him here out of sight of the other dogs. Then when he stops I lure him out with treats and back again when he barks. I am missing most of the content of the class because I am so stressed and focused on the barking. Feeling discouraged and wondering if Bruno's behavior is beyond my ability to handle. Bruno was recently neutered and if anything he has gone from wanting to jump and play with other dogs to barking aggressively.

Thank you so much for your feed back FredeykBlot. I feel reassured and grateful for the reminder to be patient and just commit to putting in the time to repeat,repeat.

Thanks so much for your feed back Adrienne. My biggest fear is instilling bad habits because I'm not training properly.

Thank you for taking the time to give me such detailed feedback. It sounds like I need to scale back the walking we are doing. Energy is not the problem. He will play fetch quite happily without seeming to want to stop. He and his "cousin", my daughter's dog, run around their yard tirelessly. Bruno has had all of his shots and the Vet didn't seem to notice any health issues. I think that maybe it's me that needs more self discipline and patience. I do make sure not to let Bruno know that I am frustrated and reward him every time he responds to my Let's go. I live in a condo, and the trail in front is very busy and popular because it is on the ocean. Maybe as quiet spot would be better. Thanks for your brain training4dogs suggestions. I'll let you know how we do with them. I never thought I would be a single Mom at 67 years old. It's a challenge for sure! Oh, and you are right. When I walk Buno and Lucy it is all fun, fun fun.

Thanks JMFS! Yes he is Mr. Mischief...

Sorry this photo is so big and turned sideways. This is a perfect example of my very marginal computer skills. I took this photo today. Bruno was born on Jan 29 of this year. He's just eaten a little morsel of meat after I asked him to sit. I love him to bits.

Hi Adrienne. My dog is a four and a half month old miniature schnauzer. We went to puppy preschool which was only two sessions but he has learned commands like sit, leave it, drop it, down, but not consistantly. (does best inside my appartment. The biggest challenge is the heel command. Bruno often lays on the ground refusing to walk, or cries and barks because he wants to play with every dog. I bring lots of treats and some days are better than others. Walking is important exercise for me so I can't work on correcting him the whole way. It would be too much for both of us. I've read that we shouldn't walk our dogs until they have learned to heel, but I live along, so need to take him with me. I have a harness for him that attaches in two places and has made things easier, but I do need to lift him and pull him along sometimes.

I am interested in this topic as well. I'm wondering if there is a typical training schedule that works best; for example, 15 minute sessions three times per day?