Ballistic Dog

Question
I have two yorkies, Smokey and Chip.  Smokey is the one that has the problem.  He is 16 months old, is a rescue, and has not had official obedience training.

Smokey is a relatively calm yorkie... until he sees another dog.... then he goes BALLISTIC. He just wants to play, but he sounds like he's going to rip their heads off. I know when we talked to a trainer they said to try to divert his attention with something like a treat and hold his attention. That doesn't work with him. All he can focus on is the dog. He flails so much that I can't even restrain him. Today I was sitting on the porch with Chip and Smokey and the neighbors dog came outside and of course Smokey went nuts. I tried holding him with my arm straightening his body and my hand covering his eyes and holding his mouth shut. I just don't know what to do. I can't take him anywhere because this is how he acts and I want to get him into obedience training, but we'll be kicked out with the way he acts. It's embarassing!

Then the other problem... like I said he's great... until he sees my cousin's cat. He plays soooo rough with him! Even more rough that he plays with Chip and Mojo (kitty) is very gentle and doesn't like it. The problem is soon my cousin is moving in an apartment with my husband and I and obviously will have his cat. We can't have Smokey behaving the way he does. I'm thinking of trying a spray bottle for discipline and treats for a reward. But what if a spray bottle doesn't work? Then what? Right now it's easy to seperate the cat and the dogs because we live in a townhouse, but it won't be easy nor will it be fair to all three animals to seperate them.

Any advice?

Answer
Hi Ashley

Smokey is getting frustrated and every time he sees a dog and is prevented from getting to it, he becomes more so.  This is a vicious circle as it can escalate into aggression with some dogs (either directed at the other dogs or the handler who is restraining him).  The solution is two-fold: allow him plenty of access to other dogs, and teach him to deal with frustration better.  The longer you have him the more he will focus on you too.  

where possible, allow him to spend time off lead with other dogs, so he has an outlet for his drive to play and doesn't feel that he must always fight for the opportunity.  Try to make friends with people who walk near you perhaps?

To teach him to deal with frustration you can put him on a lead and toss something he wants just out of his reach.  hold the lead calmly while;e he barks and scrabbles to get to it.  AS SOON as he stops trying and is calm, release him and allow him to get the treat.  This way he learns that it is much more rewarding to be calm and accepting when restrained than it is to get wound up.  when you are out, if you see another dog off lead, after checking with the owner it is friendly, try approaching it fast so Smokey doesn't have time e to get frustrated.  Alternatively, remove him quickly from the situation - run in the other direction with a treat for him.  The other Trainer was right but you need to make it easy for yourself -  you will never compete with the excitement of another dogs, you need to put some distance between them before you try.

Regarding the cat: It would be better all round if you can find a different home for it, if possible.  much less stressful for the cat (and Smokey).  If not then you will need to keep Smokey on a lead indoors so you can control him whenever he is around the cat until he gives up trying.  The cat must have lots of escape routes (use stair gates which he can fit through) and surfaces he can jump onto to get away.  Keep them apart if you are going out.

All the best

Lucy