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My six month old bernese mountain dog has a bit of a problem with other dogs - he loves them too much! When we are out on a walk and Zephyr sees another dog in the distance, he gets all too excited and pulls on the lead and won't listen to a word I say.

On the other hand, when we go to dog training classes, he is totally excited for the first 10 minutes or so (to see all the other dogs) but then he settles down and usually behaves.

My question is, how do I teach him to behave straight away, especially when we are out on walks, without this initial 10 minute "calming down" time?

what kind of collar do you use on him?

>>My six month old bernese mountain dog has a bit of a problem with other dogs - he loves them too much! When we are out on a walk and Zephyr sees another dog in the distance, he gets all too excited and pulls on the lead and won't listen to a word I say.
>>
>>On the other hand, when we go to dog training classes, he is totally excited for the first 10 minutes or so (to see all the other dogs) but then he settles down and usually behaves.
>>
>>My question is, how do I teach him to behave straight away, especially when we are out on walks, without this initial 10 minute "calming down" time?

>>>>>>>>>>>

At 6 months' of age, he's just not able to do what you want. It will take more maturity and more training. Just keep up the classes and practicing the class homework. Also do this training:

http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&A=1015&S=1&SourceID=47
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Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series at www.veterinaryforum.com

Thanks for the replies. Dragonpuppy, I use a choker/check chain collar on him. Is this wrong? And I use plenty of food rewards as bribes, I will hold it right in front of his nose and he will literally look past the food to the other dog/s.

a choke chain is a good tool for training when it's used correctly. i assume you know how to use it. try this. when you take him out for a walk make sure he stays right next to you or behind you. when he starts pulling towards another dog. give him a tap on his side with the leg. don't kick him hard, just enough to get his attention. that should distract him enough for you to get his attention. so if he's not lookng at you, snap his head to get him to look at you. then sit him down till he is calm again. and then tyr again and repeat as needed.

I disagree with the leg 'tap' to get his attention.

attention or focus isn't easy especially with a young dog & such fun distractions.

work on getting/keeping his focus at home, which I think you have already, right? but work some more.

use a toy or treat & the key words like 'watch-it' & have him follow your hand in small steps, close to him then further away until your hand/toy/treat is right between your eyes.

make sure he learns/responds well at each step before you go on. make this a fun fun fun exercise & realize that his attention span won't be for that long at first. you've got to gradually increase the time.

you might also work on 'settle' as in when you are playing/whatever & he is rowdy, say 'settle' in a slow calm drawl, ignore him by turning away, watch out of the corner of your eye & when he settles even for a split second, then he gets calm praise/treat.
then you continue playing.

**gradually** increase the amount of time you expect him to watch-it or settle.

its hard with a really smart dog - but you've got to be on step ahead to make it really interesting for him.

all of this can be done without even having a collar on him. dogs really get into the habit of pulling against that resistance & that creates more problems.

have you considered a 'gentle-leader' its like a horse's bridle.

you might also, if possible, try to wear him out a bit playing before you encounter the other dogs.