Barking while out

[Tara]

I feel like I'm losing my mind with my 4 1/2 month old doodle's barking.  He will bark at dogs mostly, people occasionally.  But once he's in an alert state--having just barked at a dog--he's may bark at anything.  I have attempted to treat him *before* he barks (and after he sees the dog) with very little success.  I really wanted a dog that I could take out to coffee shops, restaurants and street fairs.  Will this get better with more training?  I'm feeling pretty down and frustrated today.  Here's hoping tomorrow is better!

Advice and/or I've been there's would be great :-)

[Cindy and Olive (Ollie)]

Maybe he is just asking for more play dates then, lol! :-). Rippley loooovvves his play dates. Perhaps take him out to public places when he is more tired and you can possibly calm him if need be by using the DD collar hold technique? Just a thought.

[Deb's Yarrow and Schatzi]

The treat is for making and maintaining eye contact for the 'look at me' command INSTEAD of paying any attention to and reacting to what is approaching. And this has to be practiced and somewhat mastered WITHOUT distractions. Then it makes the eye contact the main focus, and a natural reflex response to the command. Now, when we are approaching a barking trigger in the neighbourhood, Yarrow automatically makes and holds eye contact with me (without being prompted!) as we pass it. Now that she's 15 months old she generally gets some loving praise rather than a treat.

[Tara]

Thank you.  This makes sense to me.  I'll just have to find more patience ;-)  it's going to be a slow process with lots of practice needed.  It doesn't take much to get him too excited to focus.  He must be a puppy!