It's amazing to hear someone verbalising what it's like to walk a reactive dog. The "I see a woman there - does she have a dog?" is definitely me on walks. My friends think it's crazy how quickly I'll spot dogs on walks now. Thank you for doing these videos!
Thank God someone said it's such a pain having a reactive dog thank you so much for saying this. I love my dog to bits but now at this stage where we have to avoid dogs and it is very stressful. ❤
Fantastic video. I have a working line Labrador girl, reactive, and I have been working with her for two years now. There is definitely progress, although a gradual one. To begin with she would freak out passing people in town. Now she is mostly calm about that, and since we have done a lot of search work as well her confidence in tackling new situations has really grown. Mostly I have used treats to get her to turn to me in tricky situations. Then I have also seen videos recommending correcting your reactive dog with a leash pop or a prong collar when they freak out. It doesn’t really feel right to me, specially since my dog is quite a sensitive soul. I really appreciate this video showing a more gentle approach to the dogs fear, it makes much more sense, whilst still maintaining boundaries and structure for the dog. This is my inspiration now with my dog ❤
Thank you. Glad to hear you are doing well. Sometimes I correct. Other times I treat. As you point out it depends on the dog. Keep up the great work. Your dog is lucky to have you.
My dog is just like this. She is still reactive. It got better during the winter only because we didn't see as many dogs on our walks. Now that it is spring we are kind of starting over. She is almost 2. Thank you your videos.
Just loving this series. I've been using Nigels vids to help with my German shepherd rescue who is aggressive and frightened. I live in Sri Lanka and during COVID we could not leave the house so he became really unsocial. He was even afraid of the lead! Also the streets are full of stray dogs so it's pretty scary walking a dog. But with these vids I've got him happily walking on lead around the garden and we're starting to go a little way up the road. Its taken over 9 months to get here with little sessions everyday but it's worth it to see his confidence grow. Thank you so much for these vlogs. They're brilliant.
I love your 'real' approach to dog training, and the fact that you say it's going to take time to build confidence. So many other trainers make you feel it should all happen instantly by how you hold the lead, or stand, etc. So refreshing to see someone in real everyday situations rather than in a training room or secluded field. Thank you!! 🐶🐶🐶
Thanks for commenting Hillary. Yes a lot of videos aim to make the trainer out to be a magician for entertainment purposes opposed to being realistic on how long it can take. So glad it is helpful.
you are the only one who doesnt just teach owners and thats what such a dog needs. my last dog was this difficult too and I would have appreciated someone to work with it like you. We did resort to lots of distance, the only thing possible. Im so very thankful to the dog I rescued this winter that shes calm with other dogs, I almost cried the first times, shes great.
always so awesome to watch your training process. My dog Cooper is a very reactive dog and very powerful and strong. I hope I can get it to feel more comfortable with other dogs. DON"T GIVE UP ON YOU DOGS! THEY NEED YOU. IT TAKES LOTS OF WORK AND PATIENTS. ROME WAS NOT BUILT IN A DAY!
I'm finding this series very useful as I'm going through the same process with my rescue dog that I've had for 3 weeks. He is reactive, but more often than not it's excitement to want to play but it can lead to frustration and barking which can look scary if the other dog or owner are not interested (which is understandable) luckily like you I've come across a few helpful owners with dogs that are either super chilled or happy to play. You never know how they are going to react - my dog seems good if the other dog is quiet, but if the other dog barks first, he will go ballistic. It's good to hear that aiming for 1000 positive meets is what it might take and that there is no rush.
Thanks for the comment Mike. The issues are always mixed and so he probably wants to play but it also scared of dogs running. They are often conflicted. So in my opinion (not everyone agrees with me) it looks scary because he part of him is still scared rather than just wanting to play. By going through the process you will show him that they are not a threat and he will get to play with them once he is more confident of how to play and that dogs won't hurt him.
Another great video Nigel, I liked the use of holding the harness and ensuring that you were always between him and the 'perceived threat. I think I will try that with Axel, I always make a conscious effort to be a barrier between him and the other dog and he's made some progress but honestly I need to find a good dog buddy that is calm and can be a good influence on him and enables that space for him to learn and become confident. The hardest part about helping our reactive dog has been controlling the environment and also the people. Axel is no longer reactive to people walking past him, but he reacts exactly like dante when another dog goes past - high pitched squeeking, constantly checking back at it, pulling harder on his harness etc. He used to go mental but has come a long way. These videos are great because they are relatable. Looking forward to next week. I'm thinking of maybe taking a peek at your course online :D feel like it could be very beneficial.
I find having treats works really well. I stop and get my dog's attention on me and give him a treat when other dogs pass so he always associates it with good things. He's got to the point where he sees another dog and stops and looks up at me rather than at it. It really works.
Thank you Nigel for this series and your other videos. As a Brit living in Florida I am connecting so much more to your training than some of the local videos from the US. Our dog Ridge is so much like Dante.. a stray, living on streets for quite a while, reactive to dogs that bark and jump, yet such a friendly and loving soul. I look forward to using your techniques and following how Dante progresses
Excelent video, especialy the "it takes as long as it takes" part, i need to hear that every now and again. I've been dealing with a 6 year old reactive Swiss shepherd that is relocated to me for months now and only recently i am able to control her reactivity a bit. Just like you i've been walking up to people with dogs and just chatting them up giving my dog as much time near another dog as possible. I've also found that making my dog sit before the other dog gets too close gives me a higher chance of her remaining calm (and confident enough to not lunge) while the other dog passes. But boy is it a struggle, each walk is a training excercise with a reactive dog.
Thanks Edwin, yes each outing certainly is a training exercise. I'm glad you see it that way because it means you will be in the right mindset to do what is necessary. Your dog is lucky to have you. Keep going bud - you'll get there if you keep at it and keep looking for answers. Best wishes, Nigel
I adopted a 7 year old Amstaff mix and her level of anxiety/fear of other dogs is about the same as Dante. Thanks so much for these videos it gives me hope. It's such an incredibly slow process to build their confidence, but I do see small improvements in my dog.
I love watching you work and how well you explain why and what you're doing this is a great series thank you so much for allowing us to come along on this journey with you
I live in Amsterdam right across from a park, when I get out of the door with my reactive dog I immediately need to be managing the situation because there are dogs everywhere. It's a hard job, but my rescue is worth the effort, even though I wished that he didn't get rehomed with me in a big city, I didn't know about the severity of his reactivity. He would be able to make progress way easier living in a remote area.
This is a great video! We have a 15wk old puppy, he pulls on the lead in excitement when he sees other dogs. We'll definitely be adopting the techniques in this video to make him feel more calm as we approach other dogs! I hope other dog owners will be as understanding as your local walkers 😅
Thank you for your honest and detailed videos of how you are helping Dante. I am really loving this new series and it's really helping me understand my own rescue dog Lacey's behaviour and how I can improve it.
Thanks for this Nigel, very interesting and informative. We started our journey with our highly reactive foster (now adopted) exactly a year ago with your videos and book.
Thank you so much for your videos. You have really helpful tips and it's so good to see the small steps of progress in Dante in each video. This makes me feel like I can help my dog feel happier and safer when we're out and about. Thank you 😊
Thank you so much Nigel for these very interesting videos!! It’s so much about us humans learning to understand our digs behaviour and how we can help them with their issues! We learn alot about our own behaviour too..personally I’ve had to learn to be more confident and systematic with my dog in order for her to be calmer and happier! Am really looking forward to your next videos !!
So helpful! Now I am going to go search on your channel for recall training. This is a biggie for the foster dogs I have had the pleasure of working with. I have a little 8.5 lbs chihuahua terrier mix that is really challenging me. 🤔🤪 I just have to figure out a way to work with him that works for success with him. He has a really strong prey drive. He's a great little guy, smart and curious. Thanks again for this video. BTW, Dante is a beautiful dog!
Such great videos! They just show the whole process so nicely, with every step evident and the fact that these things take time. I was wondering if you have any recommendations for our border collie puppy who is very reactive to our own cats, we would love to let them co-exist eventually, the house is currently split in two..
It would take me a long time to explain but the short answer is you would first get them used to each other's smell by swapping blankets. Then sound no sight. Then sight by small intros i.e blocked off barriers they can't see one another, then barriers they can see one another a bit, bit more extending, then no barriers.
Great video and tips! What type of halter does Dante have. I can't find it online. Much kinder for the dogs throat and taking control of the situation. I might stop falling on my back lol 😃
This is such a useful series and channel (and book). I was wondering if there comes a point when you decide to try to pass dogs rather than turn and flight (even if your dog is still a little stiff and you think it likely he will react) so you can start building those successful passes? Thanks :)
Hi Juliette, Thanks for getting my book. A bit stiff is okay for a pass but a bark/lunge isn't so I will avoid that until the dog is calmer. Small steps each day and you will get the result. Best wishes, Nigel
Question about Dante pulling. If Dante was a husky who is breed to pull and pulls on walks whether there is a dog or not, when you you make a husky walk besides you? When he starts pulling more or right away when you see the dog? I found that my current adopted dog needs 15 feet to be OK with another dog. I waiting for your book, but I plan to keep shorting the distance between my dog and others till his distance is nill. What is interesting, he ok if there is a fence between them.
As soon as there is a pull I correct regardless of breed. I don't find Huskies harder to train on the lead more than any other dog. Stay at 15 feet for a while and get closer overtime.
I'm really interested in the technique you use of pulling him by the harness to get him past a dog, my large greyhound freezes and I am just beginning behavioural modification training so for now avoiding other dogs by going to a quiet carpark at 6am to practice lets go. I have never been able to walk her direct from my house due to cats/other dogs but want to work up to this. Does it not make the dog more fearful if you are pulling him towards and past a dog? I usually block her until the dog has passed (because she freezes) but this is not that successful with off lead dogs when we really do need to get away so i think the harness pulling may be the solution. I'm also not sure that standing waiting for it to come towards us is the solution so maybe keeping walking with a bit of a harness drag is better? I always walk in on lead places only but there's always one...
It's about understanding the proximity. As long as I keep a certain distance form the dog then I will be okay. Piking up by harness or blocking from a further distance are both good assuming the distance is right. If the dogs are closing the distance before your dog is ready then both techniques are precarious.
I have a very reactive dog. He is a 34kg American Pit Bull Terrier foster fail. He shows the same symptoms. He is fine once a dog has passed, whining as if he wants to meet them but the exact opposite. He was attacked as a pup by a German Shepherd and often mobbed by an unrestrained dog at the entry to the dog park. I would love to keep him behind me like that but I have mobility issues which is possibly also a large part of why he is aggressive as he sees himself as the protector. Should I concentrate on my control, heel, leave, stay, etc? It is a 50km round trip to the closest on leash park where people actually follow the rules so I don't get there a huge amount.
Sorry to hear this. Yes concentrate on both obedience and behaviour. If you can make that 50km round trip you will speed up the process. I touch on this subject on tonight's video.
Hey, Nigel. These videos are great. Thank you! Also what type of harness are you using with Dante? I'm really curious and in the market for new harnesses. Thanks!
I have a 10 month old rescue who is generally fine and playful with other dogs, but guarded and reactive to humans. Will generally accept humans handling the dogs he greets, but if no dog...demeanor is very different. Very protective of home. Any suggestions?
@@nigelreed Mahalo for the response. I'll keep working with him, and look forward to continue following your journey with Dante. I see many similarities with my dog and hope to learn much more.
Hi, love the series. Watched and rewatched before today: the day we adopted a rehomed dog. I am curious about the time between the 1st and 2nd video: you mentioned Dante is so much calmer after a few weeks. Do you go for every walk to a quiet area or are there any in-between walks just for doing poo-business in less quiet areas?
Hi, thank you, I judge it to see what he is like. I did many quiet walks to ease him in. If he is feeling more confident I would go somewhere a bit busier. It's a balance between giving him too many lessons and too much avoidance. :)
@Nigel Reed thank you so much! We’re not done, far from, but have come a long way with the help of your videos. From really sick in the car to wanting into the car -since it is the start of a quiet walk on military exercise grounds where nobody is around at 06:45. From a long leash and variety to…. Well, finally I understood what it means to gain confidence in us as guardians, in the surrounding world and in what is expected from a dog… to close engagement during walks, routine/rhythm in our rounds, double leash, starting without fearful things around us and sometimes completely embracing the dog to show I protect her… and even if you have to drive to peaceful spots. In nearly four months her working distance for dogs has reduced from 20 meters to 4, sometimes even less, for people from 10 to 2 meters. Thanks, keep up the good work!
What do you recommend I do when (upon seeing another dog) my dog crouches down in a hunting position, waits for the other dog to pass by him, and then jumps out and attacks him?
@@nigelreed Nigel, thanks for the very helpful response, I will discourage him from crouching behavior and choose flight when this occurs. I have another question. When my dog was young, we socialized him with other dogs until one day --- we went up to a dog who seemed friendly and the dog attacked him. Now although my 4 year old Shiba Inu is very relaxed and friendly around dogs he socialized with when he was young, when we meet an unfamiliar dog on the walk he pretends that he is friendly, allows the dog to come up to him and then he attacks the dog. To solve this i keep him away from all unfamiliar dogs becasue I don't know if he will attack or be friendly. What are your thoughts?
You could've used a slip lead. Why the harness though? I mean you're controlling him through your hand which could've been controlled through a slip lead which gives better control of the dog. Any particular reason? Result will be the same i know and you've done good job there. Just curious about the leash.
@@nigelreed oh alright. Didn't know this 😅 you did a great job keeping patience all through the progress of the dog. Do posts regular videos like this. Love your work
I’ve heard that pulling on their leash while you pass another dog can increase the dog’s anxiety and make them think the other dog is a threat. Is that true?
HI Kyle, it's not so much that the action of pulling makes the dog think the other dog is a threat. As the dog already thinks it is a threat. Rather it's because the dog is stressed and the pull can add to the stress. However there are many variables to take into account i.e distance, safety, perception, extremity etc that you can't say the action will or won't cause further stress. It depends on the variables which have to be taken into account with every situation. Dog training is full one liners where the situation always needs a nuanced analysis.
@@nigelreed thanks so much for the response, that makes total sense. I took mine out today and he pulls so hard on the leash when he sees another dog. And if he gets close enough he’ll get nasty. I tried the method of offer a treat or keep making distance and then offering a treat, but he would never take it, even when he was no longer paying attention to the other dog. Will keep trying
Thank you for watching. There are 8 episodes in the series with extra tips. Check out episode 3 th-cam.com/video/1U-bFe0EyzQ/w-d-xo.html **
It's amazing to hear someone verbalising what it's like to walk a reactive dog. The "I see a woman there - does she have a dog?" is definitely me on walks. My friends think it's crazy how quickly I'll spot dogs on walks now. Thank you for doing these videos!
Pleasure. Thanks for watching Irene.
Thank God someone said it's such a pain having a reactive dog thank you so much for saying this. I love my dog to bits but now at this stage where we have to avoid dogs and it is very stressful. ❤
Fantastic video. I have a working line Labrador girl, reactive, and I have been working with her for two years now. There is definitely progress, although a gradual one. To begin with she would freak out passing people in town. Now she is mostly calm about that, and since we have done a lot of search work as well her confidence in tackling new situations has really grown. Mostly I have used treats to get her to turn to me in tricky situations. Then I have also seen videos recommending correcting your reactive dog with a leash pop or a prong collar when they freak out. It doesn’t really feel right to me, specially since my dog is quite a sensitive soul. I really appreciate this video showing a more gentle approach to the dogs fear, it makes much more sense, whilst still maintaining boundaries and structure for the dog. This is my inspiration now with my dog ❤
Our challenge now is passing dogs, sometimes it goes just fine and sometimes she freaks and I can’t tell why. Anyway, super great full for the video💜
Thank you. Glad to hear you are doing well.
Sometimes I correct. Other times I treat. As you point out it depends on the dog. Keep up the great work. Your dog is lucky to have you.
Thank you so much!☀️
My dog is just like this. She is still reactive. It got better during the winter only because we didn't see as many dogs on our walks. Now that it is spring we are kind of starting over. She is almost 2. Thank you your videos.
Sorry to hear that. Great that you are starting over. Best of luck.
You are recreating everything a dog owner really has to endure.
Great video which everyone needs to see and apprentice.
I appreciate that! :)
Just loving this series. I've been using Nigels vids to help with my German shepherd rescue who is aggressive and frightened. I live in Sri Lanka and during COVID we could not leave the house so he became really unsocial. He was even afraid of the lead! Also the streets are full of stray dogs so it's pretty scary walking a dog. But with these vids I've got him happily walking on lead around the garden and we're starting to go a little way up the road. Its taken over 9 months to get here with little sessions everyday but it's worth it to see his confidence grow. Thank you so much for these vlogs. They're brilliant.
So pleased they are helping Tanya. Lovely to hear how dedicated and patient you are.
I love your 'real' approach to dog training, and the fact that you say it's going to take time to build confidence. So many other trainers make you feel it should all happen instantly by how you hold the lead, or stand, etc. So refreshing to see someone in real everyday situations rather than in a training room or secluded field. Thank you!! 🐶🐶🐶
Thanks for commenting Hillary. Yes a lot of videos aim to make the trainer out to be a magician for entertainment purposes opposed to being realistic on how long it can take. So glad it is helpful.
you are the only one who doesnt just teach owners and thats what such a dog needs. my last dog was this difficult too and I would have appreciated someone to work with it like you. We did resort to lots of distance, the only thing possible.
Im so very thankful to the dog I rescued this winter that shes calm with other dogs, I almost cried the first times, shes great.
Yes it's such a pain when they are reactive. I had a similar emotion when i realised my new one was very confident with dogs.
Am so enjoying this series. Very helpful to see how it's done without sugar-coating or misleading shortcuts. Great stuff. Thank you!
You are so welcome! Thanks for your understanding of reality. Not everybody wants to believe it.
I loved this video because it’s shown me that I should not expect to train my boy Cooper over night, it takes love, time and patience. Thank you.
Yes it's rare when you get cases that take weeks. It is usually months.
always so awesome to watch your training process. My dog Cooper is a very reactive dog and very powerful and strong. I hope I can get it to feel more comfortable with other dogs. DON"T GIVE UP ON YOU DOGS! THEY NEED YOU. IT TAKES LOTS OF WORK AND PATIENTS. ROME WAS NOT BUILT IN A DAY!
Same here. I've had my dog, Cooper for 4 years. He was 2& 1/2 years old when I got him.
🙏😊
Thanks Miguel, lovely to how dedicated you are.
Hope it goes well Patti, don't give up!
You have just described my boy Cooper!
I'm finding this series very useful as I'm going through the same process with my rescue dog that I've had for 3 weeks. He is reactive, but more often than not it's excitement to want to play but it can lead to frustration and barking which can look scary if the other dog or owner are not interested (which is understandable) luckily like you I've come across a few helpful owners with dogs that are either super chilled or happy to play. You never know how they are going to react - my dog seems good if the other dog is quiet, but if the other dog barks first, he will go ballistic. It's good to hear that aiming for 1000 positive meets is what it might take and that there is no rush.
Thanks for the comment Mike. The issues are always mixed and so he probably wants to play but it also scared of dogs running. They are often conflicted. So in my opinion (not everyone agrees with me) it looks scary because he part of him is still scared rather than just wanting to play. By going through the process you will show him that they are not a threat and he will get to play with them once he is more confident of how to play and that dogs won't hurt him.
Another great video Nigel, I liked the use of holding the harness and ensuring that you were always between him and the 'perceived threat. I think I will try that with Axel, I always make a conscious effort to be a barrier between him and the other dog and he's made some progress but honestly I need to find a good dog buddy that is calm and can be a good influence on him and enables that space for him to learn and become confident.
The hardest part about helping our reactive dog has been controlling the environment and also the people. Axel is no longer reactive to people walking past him, but he reacts exactly like dante when another dog goes past - high pitched squeeking, constantly checking back at it, pulling harder on his harness etc. He used to go mental but has come a long way. These videos are great because they are relatable. Looking forward to next week. I'm thinking of maybe taking a peek at your course online :D feel like it could be very beneficial.
That's great to hear. Well done. It can be a laborious process but get the environment right and you will speed it up tenfold.
@@nigelreed thanks Nigel, have an awesome day. Look forward to seeing your new video later on
@@OathkeeperSoraXIII Thank you and you :)
I find having treats works really well. I stop and get my dog's attention on me and give him a treat when other dogs pass so he always associates it with good things. He's got to the point where he sees another dog and stops and looks up at me rather than at it. It really works.
Yes Dante doesn't take treats at this point of the process (as he is too stressed) but later he does which makes it much easier.
I have a reactive dog, too. I love him so much, but sometimes it’s just hard. Your video really motivates me, but omg, you are so patient!!
glad to hear you're feeling motivated :)
Thank you Nigel for this series and your other videos. As a Brit living in Florida I am connecting so much more to your training than some of the local videos from the US. Our dog Ridge is so much like Dante.. a stray, living on streets for quite a while, reactive to dogs that bark and jump, yet such a friendly and loving soul. I look forward to using your techniques and following how Dante progresses
Hi Leza, glad you are liking them. Lovely to hear you rescued. Hope it all goes well :)
Excelent video, especialy the "it takes as long as it takes" part, i need to hear that every now and again. I've been dealing with a 6 year old reactive Swiss shepherd that is relocated to me for months now and only recently i am able to control her reactivity a bit. Just like you i've been walking up to people with dogs and just chatting them up giving my dog as much time near another dog as possible. I've also found that making my dog sit before the other dog gets too close gives me a higher chance of her remaining calm (and confident enough to not lunge) while the other dog passes. But boy is it a struggle, each walk is a training excercise with a reactive dog.
Thanks Edwin, yes each outing certainly is a training exercise. I'm glad you see it that way because it means you will be in the right mindset to do what is necessary. Your dog is lucky to have you. Keep going bud - you'll get there if you keep at it and keep looking for answers. Best wishes, Nigel
The difficult bit is not knowing what another dog will do. You can build confidence for months and then a bad reaction from a dog sets all that back.
It can but I have found if the leadership foundations are very strong it is less likely to decrease too much.
thanks for showing us how to do things in practice
Pleasure.
great to see you work with Dante and his improvements and the wise words take as long as it take
Much appreciated
Awesome job as usual Nigel. You brought me hope, its so important to understand that it takes time, patience and perseverance to do it right.
Glad it was helpful!
I adopted a 7 year old Amstaff mix and her level of anxiety/fear of other dogs is about the same as Dante. Thanks so much for these videos it gives me hope. It's such an incredibly slow process to build their confidence, but I do see small improvements in my dog.
The journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step. Keep taking steps in the right direction and you will get there.
I love watching you work and how well you explain why and what you're doing this is a great series thank you so much for allowing us to come along on this journey with you
Thank you so much!
Great reminder how patient we must be as the guardian! Thank you. M
Thanks for watching Mark 😀
Thanks for sharing 👍
Thanks for watching
I live in Amsterdam right across from a park, when I get out of the door with my reactive dog I immediately need to be managing the situation because there are dogs everywhere. It's a hard job, but my rescue is worth the effort, even though I wished that he didn't get rehomed with me in a big city, I didn't know about the severity of his reactivity. He would be able to make progress way easier living in a remote area.
Definitely. Environment is so important.
This is a great video! We have a 15wk old puppy, he pulls on the lead in excitement when he sees other dogs. We'll definitely be adopting the techniques in this video to make him feel more calm as we approach other dogs!
I hope other dog owners will be as understanding as your local walkers 😅
Best of luck Josh. I find people very willing to help :)
Thank you for your honest and detailed videos of how you are helping Dante. I am really loving this new series and it's really helping me understand my own rescue dog Lacey's behaviour and how I can improve it.
Amazing to hear!!! Thanks for watching.
Thanks for this Nigel, very interesting and informative. We started our journey with our highly reactive foster (now adopted) exactly a year ago with your videos and book.
Thanks for buying the book Fee. I hope you are going in the right direction.
Thank you so much for your videos. You have really helpful tips and it's so good to see the small steps of progress in Dante in each video. This makes me feel like I can help my dog feel happier and safer when we're out and about. Thank you 😊
Glad you like them Harriet, many thanks for commenting. I am thrilled they are helping in some way :)
great series!
Thank you :)
Thank you so much Nigel for these very interesting videos!! It’s so much about us humans learning to understand our digs behaviour and how we can help them with their issues! We learn alot about our own behaviour too..personally I’ve had to learn to be more confident and systematic with my dog in order for her to be calmer and happier! Am really looking forward to your next videos !!
Glad you like them! And thank you for taking the time to comment. Yes agreed. I feel they hold a mirror up to our behaviour.
These vlogs are so helpful. Thanks so much for uploading them. I’m looking forward to following your progress with Dante.
My pleasure! Thanks for your support.
Beautifully done, pleasure to see!❤️
Thank you! 😊
So helpful! Now I am going to go search on your channel for recall training. This is a biggie for the foster dogs I have had the pleasure of working with. I have a little 8.5 lbs chihuahua terrier mix that is really challenging me. 🤔🤪 I just have to figure out a way to work with him that works for success with him. He has a really strong prey drive. He's a great little guy, smart and curious. Thanks again for this video. BTW, Dante is a beautiful dog!
Glad it was helpful! Hope the recall video helps too. Best wishes
Great job x
xx
Inspirational video!
Thanks so much!
Such great videos! They just show the whole process so nicely, with every step evident and the fact that these things take time. I was wondering if you have any recommendations for our border collie puppy who is very reactive to our own cats, we would love to let them co-exist eventually, the house is currently split in two..
It would take me a long time to explain but the short answer is you would first get them used to each other's smell by swapping blankets. Then sound no sight. Then sight by small intros i.e blocked off barriers they can't see one another, then barriers they can see one another a bit, bit more extending, then no barriers.
Great video and tips! What type of halter does Dante have. I can't find it online. Much kinder for the dogs throat and taking control of the situation. I might stop falling on my back lol 😃
I also like the look of that halter! My Worcester has a harness, but it would be good to have a "handle" to steer him with.
Hi here is the harness make,
performancedog.co.uk/shop/harnesses-leads-collars/haqihana/haqihana-harness/
I’d love to know the brand of that harness!
It's called a haqihana harness - I prefer ruffwear
This is such a useful series and channel (and book). I was wondering if there comes a point when you decide to try to pass dogs rather than turn and flight (even if your dog is still a little stiff and you think it likely he will react) so you can start building those successful passes? Thanks :)
Hi Juliette,
Thanks for getting my book. A bit stiff is okay for a pass but a bark/lunge isn't so I will avoid that until the dog is calmer. Small steps each day and you will get the result.
Best wishes,
Nigel
@@nigelreed Thanks, we really appreciate it.
What harness is that please you are using ??? Looks perfect for my reactive cockapoo
Hi David, the harness make can be seen here performancedog.co.uk/shop/harnesses-leads-collars/haqihana/haqihana-harness/
How would you adjust for a chihuahua? In terms of grabbing their harness and walking by that way, not give them much leash?
That's right.
Was that Gold Hill in Shaftesbury?
No it's Mermaid street in Rye. I have been to Gold Hill and see the resemblance.
Question about Dante pulling. If Dante was a husky who is breed to pull and pulls on walks whether there is a dog or not, when you you make a husky walk besides you? When he starts pulling more or right away when you see the dog? I found that my current adopted dog needs 15 feet to be OK with another dog. I waiting for your book, but I plan to keep shorting the distance between my dog and others till his distance is nill. What is interesting, he ok if there is a fence between them.
As soon as there is a pull I correct regardless of breed. I don't find Huskies harder to train on the lead more than any other dog. Stay at 15 feet for a while and get closer overtime.
I'm really interested in the technique you use of pulling him by the harness to get him past a dog, my large greyhound freezes and I am just beginning behavioural modification training so for now avoiding other dogs by going to a quiet carpark at 6am to practice lets go. I have never been able to walk her direct from my house due to cats/other dogs but want to work up to this. Does it not make the dog more fearful if you are pulling him towards and past a dog? I usually block her until the dog has passed (because she freezes) but this is not that successful with off lead dogs when we really do need to get away so i think the harness pulling may be the solution. I'm also not sure that standing waiting for it to come towards us is the solution so maybe keeping walking with a bit of a harness drag is better? I always walk in on lead places only but there's always one...
It's about understanding the proximity. As long as I keep a certain distance form the dog then I will be okay. Piking up by harness or blocking from a further distance are both good assuming the distance is right. If the dogs are closing the distance before your dog is ready then both techniques are precarious.
@@susanevans5930 Hope it goes well :)
What kind of harness is he wearing?
+1 and thank you for the video, its exactly our case!!
Hi, the harness make can be seen here performancedog.co.uk/shop/harnesses-leads-collars/haqihana/haqihana-harness/
Thank you orcnys
@@nigelreed thank you!
I have a very reactive dog. He is a 34kg American Pit Bull Terrier foster fail. He shows the same symptoms. He is fine once a dog has passed, whining as if he wants to meet them but the exact opposite. He was attacked as a pup by a German Shepherd and often mobbed by an unrestrained dog at the entry to the dog park. I would love to keep him behind me like that but I have mobility issues which is possibly also a large part of why he is aggressive as he sees himself as the protector. Should I concentrate on my control, heel, leave, stay, etc? It is a 50km round trip to the closest on leash park where people actually follow the rules so I don't get there a huge amount.
Sorry to hear this. Yes concentrate on both obedience and behaviour. If you can make that 50km round trip you will speed up the process. I touch on this subject on tonight's video.
Hey, Nigel. These videos are great. Thank you! Also what type of harness are you using with Dante? I'm really curious and in the market for new harnesses. Thanks!
Hi Antony, It's called a Haqihana harness.
@@nigelreed Thanks, Nigel!
I have a 10 month old rescue who is generally fine and playful with other dogs, but guarded and reactive to humans. Will generally accept humans handling the dogs he greets, but if no dog...demeanor is very different. Very protective of home. Any suggestions?
The language is the same no matter what the danger is. Your job is to show your dog that you will deal with the situation.
@@nigelreed Mahalo for the response. I'll keep working with him, and look forward to continue following your journey with Dante. I see many similarities with my dog and hope to learn much more.
Hi, love the series. Watched and rewatched before today: the day we adopted a rehomed dog. I am curious about the time between the 1st and 2nd video: you mentioned Dante is so much calmer after a few weeks. Do you go for every walk to a quiet area or are there any in-between walks just for doing poo-business in less quiet areas?
Hi, thank you, I judge it to see what he is like. I did many quiet walks to ease him in. If he is feeling more confident I would go somewhere a bit busier. It's a balance between giving him too many lessons and too much avoidance. :)
@Nigel Reed thank you so much! We’re not done, far from, but have come a long way with the help of your videos. From really sick in the car to wanting into the car -since it is the start of a quiet walk on military exercise grounds where nobody is around at 06:45. From a long leash and variety to…. Well, finally I understood what it means to gain confidence in us as guardians, in the surrounding world and in what is expected from a dog… to close engagement during walks, routine/rhythm in our rounds, double leash, starting without fearful things around us and sometimes completely embracing the dog to show I protect her… and even if you have to drive to peaceful spots. In nearly four months her working distance for dogs has reduced from 20 meters to 4, sometimes even less, for people from 10 to 2 meters. Thanks, keep up the good work!
What do you recommend I do when (upon seeing another dog) my dog crouches down in a hunting position, waits for the other dog to pass by him, and then jumps out and attacks him?
Hi Elva, as soon as your dog crouches he is taking control, take control back by moving out the way (choose fight).
@@nigelreed Nigel, thanks for the very helpful response, I will discourage him from crouching behavior and choose flight when this occurs. I have another question. When my dog was young, we socialized him with other dogs until one day --- we went up to a dog who seemed friendly and the dog attacked him. Now although my 4 year old Shiba Inu is very relaxed and friendly around dogs he socialized with when he was young, when we meet an unfamiliar dog on the walk he pretends that he is friendly, allows the dog to come up to him and then he attacks the dog. To solve this i keep him away from all unfamiliar dogs becasue I don't know if he will attack or be friendly. What are your thoughts?
You could've used a slip lead. Why the harness though? I mean you're controlling him through your hand which could've been controlled through a slip lead which gives better control of the dog. Any particular reason?
Result will be the same i know and you've done good job there. Just curious about the leash.
Hi Sudhir, Dante struggles to breath and coughs with a slip lead on.
@@nigelreed oh alright. Didn't know this 😅 you did a great job keeping patience all through the progress of the dog. Do posts regular videos like this. Love your work
I’ve heard that pulling on their leash while you pass another dog can increase the dog’s anxiety and make them think the other dog is a threat. Is that true?
HI Kyle, it's not so much that the action of pulling makes the dog think the other dog is a threat. As the dog already thinks it is a threat. Rather it's because the dog is stressed and the pull can add to the stress. However there are many variables to take into account i.e distance, safety, perception, extremity etc that you can't say the action will or won't cause further stress. It depends on the variables which have to be taken into account with every situation. Dog training is full one liners where the situation always needs a nuanced analysis.
@@nigelreed thanks so much for the response, that makes total sense. I took mine out today and he pulls so hard on the leash when he sees another dog. And if he gets close enough he’ll get nasty. I tried the method of offer a treat or keep making distance and then offering a treat, but he would never take it, even when he was no longer paying attention to the other dog. Will keep trying
Yes I don't use treats until later in the series when Dante is calmer. Distance is your best tactic for now.
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My guy is fine off leash when he’s boarded with other dogs. On leash not so much.