'Matt has been very helpful! He has provided me with useful techniques (blocking, turning around, constant treats) to keep the dogs in line (not barking)

while walking, and although the dogs are not as good with me as they are with Matt, we are working on it. I see how good they can be when Matt is in charge, so I'm doing my best to follow his example. He's been very clear about what to do, but I

realize it will take some time before I can reach his level of competence (and confidence). He's also given me commands to work on with them at home and told me how to increase the difficulty, so that both dogs and I feel as if we're learning

and progressing. By our next meeting with Matt, I hope to have a skateboard in hand,

so that we can work on that issue, which is really the most distressing aspect of

their behavior.

Anyway, Matt has certainly delivered what I wanted-some general instruction in basic

commands and in how to stop them from barking/lunging on the street. And his

information about harnesses/treats/other dog issues has been useful as well. I still