I don't know if this will help, but it might be worth a try, so I'll share, along with a little background.
My Sheltie was badly hurt a few years ago when the front screen door slammed hard on her tail. Since then she has freaked out any time anyone uses that door. I mean she barks, yells, screams at anyone going in or out or even approaching that door. I didn't make the connection until recently. She is otherwise pretty obedient, but this just sends her into an almost uncontrollable frenzy and I decided to try to get a handle on it.
I put a training collar on her. I prefer a properly fitted prong but a standard choke will do or really anything the dog can't slip out of. When she went nuts, I took hold of the collar and calmly led her away from the door to where I normally sit. Then I asked her to sit, which she did, shaking like a leaf. That's when I realized she had no control of her emotions! She was in terror. But the treatment is the same.
I praised her for the sit (I don't train with treats) and just stroked her calmly and spoke quietly to her a moment then gave her the release command (Okay, Good girl). By then she was a lot calmer. I repeated this every time I needed to for a couple of days, and on about the third day I saw marked improvement.
She ran to the door barking then checked herself and looked at me. I smiled and said, "Gracie Come," and she trotted over to me and sat. She got her praise and pats and then she was fine.
You say your dog already has basic training. I suggest you use it to your advantage. Take the dog out ON LEASH. When you see agitation/ excitement, don't jerk or say anything, just turn and walk away quickly. When you get far enough away or out of sight of the birds, maybe around a corner, sit the dog and praise for the sit. Repeat as needed and quit on a high note - when the dog is sitting. Praise verbally and pat or stroke briefly, calmly! Try again. As SOON as you see frenzy, walk away, Heel! Don't let the dog look at the birds unless he is sitting, then praise and quit. Reward the behavior you want, then quit, even if it only happens once to start with. Treats are a distraction IMO. Your face, voice and hands are the best reward. Good luck!
I would imagine that could be part of it too!
Yea, Patrick will NEVER be trusted, I hear ya there.
