Koji's getting some much needed training

you got it!
That is the main part and it is what makes all the difference in the world- Koji sees distraction and looks at you to check in. This is exactly what you want, Koji making a decision and you jackpoting him at the choice point for making good choice!
That is the difference from classical condition- it does not build new behavior and does not let dog to make a choice. It is good part of solution, I agree, pairing up strong stimuli with food. It has been researched that dogs who allowed to make a choice produce " happy hormones" in their brain and thus feel better. And that is where Leslie McD LAT training comes short IMHO because, giving command LAT is extrinsic stimuli... it is like your fire alarm goes off, and off and off... you will react to it couple of times but if it goes repeatedly for few hours you just tune it out unless you can disable it...
now if your family is late to come home... you will keep looking outside every few minutes just because you worry/ intrinsic factor at work/...
 
1 week update

Just because it was kinda neat.

I had a trial this weekend and what a great time to train. Lots of dogs, dogs moving, lots of people, etc.

I have to admit, I was surprised at how fast this little boy can learn...and forget. LOL. I know this is going to take a long time, so I am just being silly. Although he did bark and lunge at a few dogs, considering what he'd usually do, he was actually doing extremely well. He'd bark at a dog (now that I know that's okay, I don't mind) and then look at me and he'd get food. Then I'd get closer to the dog and I could see Koji getting more alert, so more food. Maybe a growl, food. Etc. I practiced this all Saturday.

By Sunday, he was much better (and probably tired too). He'd bark. I'd go closer. He wouldn't bark, he'd just look at the dog and look at me. We'd go closer. He'd get alert, but keep looking at me. I'd be praising him during this time too, but no cheese. We were able to get within about 2 feet before it was too much for him and he'd bark. More cheese until he realized it was okay. Then, I'd say "yay!!!" and we'd walk away.

He did great. Really. Compared to the "normal" he did WONDERFUL!! I'm so proud of my little boy.

As for the times he did lunge. Well, one guy was running past us (he shouldn't be either), can't blame Koji for barking and lunging after him. Another guy walked behind us, his dog was within a foot of Koji (I saw how close he was as soon as Koji started to pull). And a couple of other times, well, we are still learning, right? Right!

Next week I have an agility seminar, so another great time to train train train while I'm around a ton of dogs. :)

I also bought a new martingale so he doesn't hurt himself. I wrote a quick review of it here if anyone is interested.
 
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