schoolmarm dog

bg,

You have to anticipate Pumpkin and get both dogs centered on you! (Easier said than done.)

Are you calm when you see other dogs approaching? Or do you tighten up on the leashes, preparing to separate the dogs? Cesar Milan, the Dog Whisperer, isn't always right, but he is in this case: You have to be calm and assertive. If you tighten up on the leash, the dog feels it and that escalates the dog's reaction. Remain calm and draw the dogs' attention away from the other dogs and to you. Once Pumpkin moves on Callie, you've lost control. (As if you didn't realize that!)

Work on the "Watch me!" command with your dogs; first at home, then outside. Have them sit and watch you. When you feel they have it down pat and you can use it on the road, have the dogs facing away from the street/sidewalk/other dogs when they are watching you.

Notice you aren't keeping Pumpkin from attacking Callie or Callie from barking at the other dogs, you are having them both sit quietly, paying attention to you when you want them to. So if they fail, you know you have to go back and train some more on the "sit and watch me."

When they are perfect, you can gradually change your position until they are facing the other dogs. Then try walking with them "watching you" while they are passing the other dogs.

Cesar might be able to accomplish this in a half-hour segment. You (or I) might take a few months. Patience, calmness, consistency. And, yes, I have to keep reminding myself.

Good luck,
kjd

Sure. However, rather than try to explain it myself, I am going to point you to several places on the web. (I started to explain, then realized my explanation would probably leave you confused.)

There are lots of videos on dog training. Here is one that explains the "Watch me" command: [url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BgGi2CqQ8Xw&feature=channel]YouTube - Basic Dog Training : Dog Training: Watch Me Command[/url]

An explanation: [url=http://www.doggroups.com/dog-training/first-step-to-obedience-training/]The First Step to Obedience Training - Dog Training - Agility, Conformation, Obedience and More! | Dog Groups.com Dog Groups.com[/url]
Here is another good explanation: [url=http://www.deafdogs.org/training/signs.php]DDEAF Training Hand Signs[/url]. It is for deaf dogs, but you can just substitute a word for the sign (or teach your dog as if he is deaf and surprise everyone at how well he reads your mind).
And one more before you go: [url=http://dog-training.suite101.com/article.cfm/basiccommandseverydogshould_know]Basic Commands Every Dog Should Know: Dog and Puppy Training - Watch Me and Come[/url].

I found these by going to the Advanced Google page. Entering "watch me" as the exact phrase and "dog," "obedience," and "training" as all words that had to be there.

They are mostly talking about puppies, but older dogs should learn these too.

Let us know how things work out,
kjd