My Tzu barks at other dogs, people, etc

sounds like he's just excited and likes to chase. "heel" as well as the other basic commands would be extremely useful in these circumstances. you could also try socializing him more with other people and other dogs so whenever he sees an unfamiliar person, he won't be as off the edge as he is now. during these socializations, teach him to sit and be calm.  

Hi Nemo's mommy,
My girl had a similiar problem, she woudnt bark but she would try to pull me after whatever it was zooming by (a kid, a bike, skateboarder, other dog) I started to keep a eye out for potential distractions and stopped Rory and made her sit even before she saw what was approaching. I would continue to talk to her and tell her to sit and stay until the distraction was clear. Only then would we continue our walk This works best if they already know the sit and stay commands. Maybe with Nemo you might want to do the same but incorporate treats to distract her and not give him any if he barks. He'll soon hopefully realize that when he is quiet and obediant he will get a treat! Good luck!

We have similar behavior in our recently adopted 6 year old toy poodle. 

For him the best way we have found to handle these situations is to "Walk On." and remain calm myself.  I think alot of people, when walking a dog who pulls a nutty at other dogs or some objects or people, go into a fear mode themselves when they see an offending object.  So, first the "leader's" mind goes "Oh, crumbs, another dog," then that tension is transmitted down the leash, where the dog thinks "HOLY GOD THERE'S ANOTHER DOG OUT THERE."  For our little guy we've found the best thing is when walking him, he needs to be at heel (which means his leash is relaxed and he's walking right next to me) with very little extra leash to mess with, he needs to be moving swiftly and looking up at us every once in a while for cues.  He is not allowed to pull on a walk (we've already worked that one out).  If another dog, human, what ever, is in the area and he starts to react, I give a small correction on the leash and tell him calmly to "walk on."  If he starts to pull a nutty, he doesn't have a chance, cause I'm calmly continuing on the walk and he needs to stick with me. 

For my dog, the sit down until it's over doesn't work, because all that does for him is make him focus on the object he's stressed about.  Also, I think it conveys to the dog, well, she thinks this is important enough to stop our walk over, so it must be BIG.  That's just my opinion. 

Until this never ending rain here in New England I had been working by desensitizing him to other dogs on leashes by purposely taking him to a local park where dogs are on leash and plentiful.  Every afternoon we were going there and doing laps within eyesight of the other dogs.  By the end of 1/2 hour he would be very calm about the other dogs.

This problem can be corrected, but it is alot of work.  It's worth it, because once the work is done you have a dog that for life can go walking and travelling everywhere without any problem. 

ORIGINAL: mondayblues

sounds like he's just excited and likes to chase. "heel" as well as the other basic commands would be extremely useful in these circumstances. you could also try socializing him more with other people and other dogs so whenever he sees an unfamiliar person, he won't be as off the edge as he is now. during these socializations, teach him to sit and be calm.  

That is what is so confusing is that both my dogs are very well socialized. We take them everywhere with us, vacations, the beach, to visit friends, the park, etc and always have since they were little. He has just gotten like this the last 6 months or so. Thanks for the advice!

ORIGINAL: angelamarie

We have similar behavior in our recently adopted 6 year old toy poodle. 

For him the best way we have found to handle these situations is to "Walk On." and remain calm myself.  I think alot of people, when walking a dog who pulls a nutty at other dogs or some objects or people, go into a fear mode themselves when they see an offending object.  So, first the "leader's" mind goes "Oh, crumbs, another dog," then that tension is transmitted down the leash, where the dog thinks "HOLY GOD THERE'S ANOTHER DOG OUT THERE."  For our little guy we've found the best thing is when walking him, he needs to be at heel (which means his leash is relaxed and he's walking right next to me) with very little extra leash to mess with, he needs to be moving swiftly and looking up at us every once in a while for cues.  He is not allowed to pull on a walk (we've already worked that one out).  If another dog, human, what ever, is in the area and he starts to react, I give a small correction on the leash and tell him calmly to "walk on."  If he starts to pull a nutty, he doesn't have a chance, cause I'm calmly continuing on the walk and he needs to stick with me. 

For my dog, the sit down until it's over doesn't work, because all that does for him is make him focus on the object he's stressed about.  Also, I think it conveys to the dog, well, she thinks this is important enough to stop our walk over, so it must be BIG.  That's just my opinion. 

Until this never ending rain here in New England I had been working by desensitizing him to other dogs on leashes by purposely taking him to a local park where dogs are on leash and plentiful.  Every afternoon we were going there and doing laps within eyesight of the other dogs.  By the end of 1/2 hour he would be very calm about the other dogs.

This problem can be corrected, but it is alot of work.  It's worth it, because once the work is done you have a dog that for life can go walking and travelling everywhere without any problem. 

 
I think you hit the nail on the head with the comment about the human gets into fear mode. I know I am doing that now, because I know if another person dog or kid is coming it is like OH NO HERE WE GO AGAIN. Or a bus, EGADS NOT ANOTHER BUS, and I am sure I do put tension on the leash to prepare for the nutty, as you call it ( and so fitting!). So I am going to work on that for sure. Thanks for pointing this out!

emma barks like mad at and wont stop, and strains at her leash to get at any other dog or person, especially kids.   she only does this because she wants to play with them and she is SO EXCITED about it!  there is not a vicious(sp) bone in her body.  of course usually the other dogs and people dont know that.