nervous/anxious barking

[munro]

please help
we have a lovely chocolate lab who is now 4. When a puppy he was ill and didnt get a lot of socialisation with other dogs other than our 6 year old lab.
We have a serious problem with him running at and barking at other dogs when we are out walking. He has never bitten or attacked another dog but seems nervous/ anxious and appears to be warning us or trying to scarew the other dog(s) off. He can be difficult to recall when this happens although his recall ig generally good. He doesnt engage in play with other dogs unless he has become very familiar with them. The barking and posturing is the main problem and is making walks stressfull for all involved!

[nick_j007]

Hello munro and sorry for the late response from anybody.

Your dog lacks confidence in social situations, so you'll need a programme of sensible and gradual introduction.

Your dog sounds like a classic candidate for the use of clicker and food rewards.

Rather than me to set out a whole programme here, why not get this book and follow it closely:

Click to Calm: Healing the Aggressive Dog Karen Pryor Clicker Book: Amazon.co.uk: Emma Parsons: Books

If you have the funds, I would ask for the assistance of a respected local trainer to offer more guidance on a one to one basis.

Good luck with this.

Nick