Barking!!

[sunburn]

Brody (10 months) under went bilateral arthoscopy surgery about 2 months ago. It's fair to say he hasn't had a lot of play time nor has he seen a lot of other people or dogs for a good 2-3 months. I have recently started taking him for a walk at night time and on the rare occasion we see someone he will run up to them stop half way before reaching them, stand still stare at the person and then bark and bark and bark. Now I can understand even the most loving of dog people can find this scary and intimidating.
No, I don't walk him on the leash because this never used to happen so now obviously I need to walk him with a leash.

I would just like any training tips for this - I'm sick of getting told off by people.

Any ideas? Thanks in advance

[Tanya]

you need to desensitive him. Do you have friends/family (that don't live in your house) that can help? Set up a place (can be near the house) for them to walk by you. They are to walk by, no eye contact, no big motion and just gently toss food at him and move away. it's important they don't stop. The more variety of peopel you can have do this the better. Eventually you can work up to people giving him treats (but handing him treats is stage 2 or 3, not something you do rigth away).

I HIGHLY recommend taking an obedience class to get him in public in a controlled setting.

Alternatively, you can find a park that isn't TOOO TOO busy (or parking lot, wherever). Bring tons of yummy treats and just feed feed feed the pup (cut them up into very small pieces). when people go by feed feed feed then stop when there is no one.