does this qualify as fear-aggression?

LOL...  

Wow, look at all the posts I've missed. I appreciate every single suggestion because sometimes it's a combination of them that gets us by.

This morning I intended only walk surrounding blocks, not directly past dogs, but I couldn't believe my luck.  Directly across the street from a pair of the *offending* gated dogs were several people on the lawn, a lawn mower, the family dog (who Barney has met), the neighbors sprinkler system was running, and Barney knows that a cat lives next door.   He was already distracted so we walked to their house even though the 2 gated dogs started barking on the other side of the street.  A couple of times he glanced over at the barking dogs but the rest of the action drew him back... he was just having a good old time.   A few times we did "look at me", or sit,  just to get him to focus on me.  We hung out for about 10 minutes and the 2 barking dogs finally quit.  So he never got upset and left completely calm. 

I can't always get him to pay attention to ME, but distracting him I'm sure is the key here, now.  I couldn't have planned this if I tried.    And I seriously don't think I'll be this lucky again, so back to square one.

AuroraLove

Don't talk in soothing tones or try and talk him out of it. Soothing tones like "oh come on buddy or pay them no mind" can be misinterpreted for praise for his actions.....proof is fear/aggression is the way to go.

We don't "sit" directly in front of the houses, I only use sits to try to regain a bit of control once he starts showing anxiety.  We never even walk directly in front of these houses anymore.  I'm not sending any tensing signals to him, I think he is anticipating what he knows is down the street.  He's got an incredible memory and never forgets who lives where, even though I do.

Honestly, I've got a lot more experience with horses in this type of situation: I would be getting as close as I safely could, then just camp out, ignore the situation, bring a book to read, bring along a friend to talk to, for as long as it took for the horse to become SO bored, hours,  days... then do it a little longer.   But that is desensitizing.  Does that work the same with dogs?

YES!

You have to start slow, and work from there. =] wtg!

cat0

Honestly, I've got a lot more experience with horses in this type of situation: I would be getting as close as I safely could, then just camp out, ignore the situation, bring a book to read, bring along a friend to talk to, for as long as it took for the horse to become SO bored, hours,  days... then do it a little longer.   But that is desensitizing.  Does that work the same with dogs?

Yes, absolutely the same, IMO.

AuroraLove

Keep walking. Chin up, leash TIGHT, firm hold on the leash and keep walking. Don't talk in soothing tones or try and talk him out of it. Soothing tones like "oh come on buddy or pay them no mind" can be misinterpreted for praise for his actions.....proof is fear/aggression is the way to go.

By stopping and putting into a sit you are 1. causing him more anxiety and more time to focus on the object, 2. causing the other dogs to get more worked up, 3. allowing him to let these dogs interupt his walk and reinforcing his thought that these dogs are soemthing to stop and take notice of. If you want him to ingore him you need to set a example. In times of mental anxiety words do not make it to his brain, actions and intent with your body is key. Don't forget to keep the leash taught so he has less room to freak out or stop to smell the gate line......keep moving in a firm assertive manner. The less time he has to reacct the better. Show him its no big deal.

I also bet he feels you tense up when you begin to approach a particular house he gets upset over thus reinfocing his reason to act up. When he starts to pull towards the gate give him a quick tug back and dont stop walking. When you pass the gate give him a bit more slack as if to say to him "a good boy gets more slack" repeat at the next house. As he gets better and he is able to focus on you a bit more pick up the pace and call him in a fun way, use your voice as a reward for his good behavior instead of praise for his negative actions.

When Rory starts to reacct to a dog over a fence I give a quick tug accomapnied by a firm uh-uh and pick up my pace. I dont give her time to reacct and I dont try to talk her out of it. When we pass I say good-girl and resume walking.

If he is a male try to discourage him from marking the territory around the barking dogs area. If he is doing this you know he is just being a brat. Its one thing to have to go potty but you might notice he is very adamant about peeing in certian spots stop him. Discourage him from getting into a pissing contest so to speak, LOL....yup thats where the phrase came from!

I have to agree here - you need to push past IMO.  One thing Cesar does that I think he is right about is that when you create a calm dog the dogs behind the fence will calm down as well.  The sense each others energy and feed off it as well.  I would do what I can to keep his attention on you and the walk and keep moving forward.

 Good luck!