I've had my dog for roughly 4 years, had him as a pup. As he was my first dog, I did a very poor job training and as I've recently moved into an apartment, I'm realizing the importance of a well behaved dog.
Harvey (my dog) is a boston terrier/collie mix, I believe. He grew up in a house with very little interaction with other dogs. When I take him for walks, he''ll get very excited and start to whimper when he sees another dog, occasionally barking and pulling on the leash. He's gotten a lot better since I've started carrying treats with me when I take him out. As long as I get his attention with the treat before he notices another dog, he'll usually keep his attention on me.
Now that I'm living in an apartment building 11 stories up, I'm forced to take the elevator with him multiple times a day. We've been here just under 2 weeks and he's improved greatly on the elevator since day one as he would bark at any and everyone he sees. I've been using treats to keep his attention on me throughout the trips down/up and he will barely even notice any people getting on/off. I'll reward him with a treat when he makes it through the entire trip sitting and staying quiet the entire time.
Now, everything is different if someone with a dog gets on and it is incredibly embarrassing. I will wait for another lift if I see another dog is getting on, but that isn't possible when I'm already on it. He knows I have treats in my pocket, but he completely forgets it as soon as another dog gets on and I don't know what to do. I'll yell at him to sit and it's 50/50 if he'll do it, and when he does it's only for a second.
I'm DESPERATE for some advice on how to correct this behavior as soon as possible. I've been thinking of taking him to a dog park if I can find one in my city to familiarize him being around dogs which should help. As a forum full of dog lovers, are you guys used to people bringing their misbehaving pups to dog parks? I wouldn't let him off leash, of course! My dog has a mean bark, but he's never bitten another dog.
Anywho! I made this waaay too long already! I'd appreciate any advice for ways on correcting my dogs behavior!
Thanks so much in advance
Harvey (my dog) is a boston terrier/collie mix, I believe. He grew up in a house with very little interaction with other dogs. When I take him for walks, he''ll get very excited and start to whimper when he sees another dog, occasionally barking and pulling on the leash. He's gotten a lot better since I've started carrying treats with me when I take him out. As long as I get his attention with the treat before he notices another dog, he'll usually keep his attention on me.
Now that I'm living in an apartment building 11 stories up, I'm forced to take the elevator with him multiple times a day. We've been here just under 2 weeks and he's improved greatly on the elevator since day one as he would bark at any and everyone he sees. I've been using treats to keep his attention on me throughout the trips down/up and he will barely even notice any people getting on/off. I'll reward him with a treat when he makes it through the entire trip sitting and staying quiet the entire time.
Now, everything is different if someone with a dog gets on and it is incredibly embarrassing. I will wait for another lift if I see another dog is getting on, but that isn't possible when I'm already on it. He knows I have treats in my pocket, but he completely forgets it as soon as another dog gets on and I don't know what to do. I'll yell at him to sit and it's 50/50 if he'll do it, and when he does it's only for a second.
I'm DESPERATE for some advice on how to correct this behavior as soon as possible. I've been thinking of taking him to a dog park if I can find one in my city to familiarize him being around dogs which should help. As a forum full of dog lovers, are you guys used to people bringing their misbehaving pups to dog parks? I wouldn't let him off leash, of course! My dog has a mean bark, but he's never bitten another dog.
Anywho! I made this waaay too long already! I'd appreciate any advice for ways on correcting my dogs behavior!
Thanks so much in advance