Barking at other dogs? Long

[elbykitty]

Hello. Oscar was born 1/8/2005 so he is 10 months. He just started to bark at other dogs. When walking if another dog barks at him he goes nuts he barks back, his back end lowers, his hair stands up, and he pulls like crazy. It is getting pretty embarrassing. But when he approaches the other dog he is all wiggles and licks. I don't want to reward this behavior so I make him sit and wait until the person and dog passes. If he is good I will ask the other person if thier dog is freindly and if it is ok if they say hello. Some say no and I don't blame them since Oscar body language says "I don't like you.".I just don't get it, and starting to not trust him. I had read somewhere that they go through another fear phase at this age and am I damaging him more from keeping him from socializing with unfamiliar dogs? Also my brother lives with me and he never does this when he walks him. Does he not see me as the boss, or is he just being protective? Any advise would be appreciated. I am not against getting help from a dog behaviorist but currently saving for his entropia surgery he may need next May. So I would like to save on money and I don't want to dip into my first house savings, but if this is any indication of future aggression I will. I know most people here are not dog behaviorists, I am just curious of your experiences and did your furbabies go through the same thing, what did you do, and how did it turn out. Thanks
Elbykitty
Mom of Lilly and Oscar

 

[BasilStreets]

You need to teach a 'watch me' command so that he focuses on you rather than the other dog. In all reality he needs to be able to walk by other dogs without meeting them, so it is important that you teach him to do that.
First you need to find something that motivates him and keeps his attention something that makes you much more interesting than anything else. Some dogs its food, others its attention or a toy, one of my dogs only really paid attention if I sang to him (sounds stupid, but it works).
Start with enough distance between you and the other dogs to not get a reaction. Get his attention with the treat or reward and move it towards your face. When you get eye contact mark that with 'watch me' or 'focus' or whatever command you want to use. Then hand over the treat.
Practice this every chance you get till the command gets you eye contact with the dog. If you want, once you have established what the command means, and you are getting consistant eye contact, add walking into it (although, beacuse I have two dogs I have gotten them to sit and watch me rather than walk)
Then start to decrease the distance between you and other dogs. If he starts to break the 'watch me' command to react to other dogs, back up and practice more at a non-reactive distance.

 

[elbykitty]

I think I can do that. I play the "Wait" game with him. I hold a treat or toy and he focuses for quite awhile on it before I give it to him. The problem will be getting him to focus on me. It is just that outside he is a different dog the excitement just takes over and then the bad Oscar twin comes out. I will definitely try it. Thanks
Elbykitty