Excessive whining at other dogs

petra'smom

I think I almost tried everything, but looking for more suggestions.

Both my dogs tend to whine a lot when they encounter yapping dogs barking at the fence as we walk by. I have tried, spraying them with a water bottle, leash jerks, stopping and putting them in a sit stay, distracting them with valuable treats but none have really helped. This happens both when they are walked together or alone.

They know how to heel but not long enough to pass a whole street full of barking dogs. The treats worked ok for a while, but the minute they are done eating, their whiny voices turn back on. We pass this street every day, so my hopes of desensitizing them are gone. It is just really annoying and even though they do not pull, I would like them to obey to my command to stop whining!

They also tend to whine a lot when they see rabbits are they are inside unable to catch them, so I am guesssing their whining is from frustration of not being able to get close to the other dogs.

Any advice or tips? I really envy those dogs that are impassible to other dogs on walks!