Aggression towards teenage males

First, Jake recently finished his obedience training and we did very well. During his training, we got him a gentle leader (we love it, he hates it). Jake has always been very much a people dog and loves to be petted by anyone and everyone. Sometimes it seems as though the more training we do, the worse he's gotten in at least one area: he's taken a dislike to some of the boys in our neighborhood. When we're walking and he sees them, he'll start barking and/or lunging towards them for no reason. I've had Jake sit and the boy give him a treat and this worked for one boy but not the other (who's actually nicer and also named Jake). With the boy Jake, it started when I was working on the controlled walk and wouldn't let him go over to be petted so he started barking. Someone suggested that he thought I saw the boy as a threat so was protecting me. The trainer said that sometimes dogs don't like teenage boys. Any ideas? Thanks.

• Re: Aggression towards teenage males Feb 28 (0)