My yorkie

[Krysteena]

I have two yorkies, one (Sam) is now 18 months and such a lovely nature just like his dad, (George)the other one. He is a delight, loving, a good boy in the house and so clever. However, when I take them out each day, I put them in the car to take them to either the beach or the park. All the way in the car (about 5 mins drive if that) sam cries like a baby, I have realised he is excited. When we get out, and he is let off the lead, he runs around and round barking and barking and this last for about 5 mins. He then will see other dogs or people and bark too. This is the bit I get worried about. Niether dogs have got a bite in them but they could get hurt by barking at people or other animals. I have put same on the lead to try teach him if he is going to bark he has to stay on the lead, but the next day he has forgotten. I know he is running up saying "Hi look at me and say Hi". What do I do to stop him

[lankeela]

Try using an extending flexi lead, which will give you control when he runs up to something. You can stop him in his tracks and 'wind him in' to give him a reward for returning.

Once he realises is it good to come back to you, you can try gradually allowing him off the lead when there is no one around, and calling him back occasionally. Once you are sure you have control, then try letting him off the lead when there are other dogs about. It might take time but he should soon learn that it is better to behave and get a treat.

[drchasuble]

My Dachshund does this too, In the car he makes a sort of "huh huh" noise and sometimes he does a real screamy type yelp like he's been stepped on. It's very odd and I'd sort of understand if he never went anywhere in the car but he does all the time.
He also does the barking thing when we go to the park but only at particular times. If I'm alone he doesn't do it and stays by my side the entire time but if I'm with my dad or partner he barks up a storm and runs around loads.
Unfortunately sometimes the barking makes him go a frenzied and he has nipped so I have bought him an antibark collar which helps him not get so worked up. It's a bit extreme but he is a 3rd time rescue dog and has a bad biting history. It has helped loads.

[Krysteena]

Thanks to both lankeela and drchasuble for your advice. I understand the flexi lead approach and this may work for Sam. I will get him one. My problem with this tactic is the treat business. Both George and Sam are grazers, and unfortunately as my sister will described "their bowls at home are a buffett for dogs". Therefore there is nothing I could think of as a reward treat. They dont like dog chocolate and with them both if i tried to give them a treat while we were out it would be like "oh yeh mum, dont waste out time it is so gooooood being out playing - I can all the treats i want once home". I guess then the only treat they love all the time is a cuddle and praise as their reinforcement.
Drchasuble, fortunately I know my dogs would not nip anything unless it looked like a toy but I am more scared of bigger or smaller dogs even attacking Sam for his enthusiastic and real friendly barking or worse some worried person kicking him thinking he is going to attack. They are only both about 6" off the ground and they would not survive that type of thing. I do get very stressed about taking them out sometimes because of this and I have had experiences where a dog has come up a bit aggressive from nowhere and in fact my most recent nightmare is I waded into the Mersey with the both of them in my arms when an unsupervised rottweiler came bounding up the beach. Luckily it thought better of following me in. His then unconcerned owner strolled up and I was so upset I told her she should give her dog on the lead and pointed out the bl---- obvious that I had to wade into the water to escape his aggression, she said "I know, he is awful, he does not like small dogs" well I got annoyed to say the least pointing out next time it may be a child and to get him on a lead. In essence I would do anything do keep them safe but they do love their little run off the lead. Krysteena