Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello!
My miniature pinscher has lots of energy and loves taking walks. But whenever I walk him I have to be extra cautious not to let him get too near anyone if I think he'll growl or bark at them because they get scared.

Well the way it is, is that if we're walking and someone else walks past us, he'll be walking fine and out of no where zoom towards them to sniff at them, sometimes even growling or giving them a bark which frightens them (or they ger mad ) They're afraid he'll bite them, but of course he never has and I highly doubt he ever will even if he pretends. Also, if we're walking and someone is a few meters away doing their own thing.. sometimes he'll stop to look at them and bark his head off! It's like, he chooses certain people to bark at or not to bark at, and I don't know what makes him do this! He also barks at some dogs.. but with his breed, I guess it's common.

Anyone that can enlighten me? ^^

P.S Oh.. and there's another small issue where when he sees me, hes sooo excited to see me that he won't stop yapping or jumping at me until I've given him enough pets and a treat! I just had surgery, so I can't have him constantly jumping up and pawing at me. If anyone knows.. thanks!

Have you done any formal obedience training? That would be my first suggestion. A class with other dogs and other people. Lots of distractions.

When I walk my dogs, I put them into a sit/stay when people are approaching. Not because my dogs misbehave, but because people are often intimidated by my dogs.

Getting through a basic OB class will help get these skills into your dog.

NOW on to the second question. When the dog misbehaves and you give attention and treats, you are rewarding the behavior. With a min pin this is much easier to deal with than a larger breed, however your first steps will be to ignore the dog until it behaves. I have my dogs sit before I will pet and cuddle when I arrive home. Takes Caesar much longer to end his parade with whatever he has in his mouth (shoe, toy, sock, bone) but I will not pet him until he sits.
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Cindy & the bully boys
CGC Brutus the bullheaded bulldoggie
CGC Caesar the fabulous pittie

Classes where there are other dogs and people are a great way to work on this.

If that's not a possibility right now, take along some treats with you on your walk and treat your dog BEFORE she reacts to the people or dogs. She'll get the idea fairly fast that a neutral reaction is what you are desiring.

The jumping on you and you giving affection and treats for it is making the problem worse. When you get home, verbally aknowledge your dog but set a kitchen timer for about 5 minutes (the timer is for you and not the dog). Don't pay any attention to your pup during those 5 minutes. When the timer goes off, ask for a behavior like a "sit" and reward lavishly with your attention.
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Chelle and the rest of the crew including, but not limited to Kita and Taiko (the shiba inu wrestle maniacs), Adi (reserved and dignified tabby cat), and all 28 reptiles