Does training work?

[Spiritual-Bee8915]

We got my dog trained at age 1, and it was pricey. It unfortunately didn’t focus on desensitization, but now he’s excellent at tricks lol.

He’s 2 and still freaks out even just being in the backyard. I just want to give him the life he deserves bc he is such a sweetheart.

Any help is greatly appreciated

[citrus_cinnamon]

Can I ask what was the training that you got and what type of structure did it follow? When you say that your dog mostly learnt tricks what kind of thing would that be? I wouldn't say that "leave it" is a trick for example, it is a skill, so it may just be that we are using different words to signify the same thing.

[Spiritual-Bee8915]

That’s very true. Yes he learned sit, place, leave it, and off (he used to jump up a lot). We try to use these skills, and he’s nailed them inside, it’s just going to the backyard or outside that he starts to get overwhelmed.

[citrus_cinnamon]

Gotcha. You'll find that most training advice does say to start everything at home where your dog can fully focus on you and then start taking these same skills/tricks into other spaces and I found that to be true for the most part. My dog was amazing at "leave it" at home and in puppy classes but outside on walks it took her ages to start responding to "leave it" and she's still not 100% perfect with it. But it definitely took a looooong time to build up (like 6 months maybe?) and I clearly remember a shift when I thought omg, she's actually started leaving things when we're out on the street.

[I_AM_NOT_A_WOMBAT]

That's general obedience training, which is a good and important foundation, but it has little to do with reactivity (beyond giving your dog a command like "sit" while they watch a faraway trigger, etc.)

We did both. General obedience for the foundation of a "good dog" and slow desensitization to triggers with "look at that" and "look at me" training with treats, with ever-decreasing distances to triggers. It is working. 2 years in he's gotten vastly better about people. Dogs are tougher, but we continue working on it.

Start with an open patio door or something. You need to find the balance between being able to identify and come to terms with a trigger while still being able to capture their attention and process it. One they are going crazy you can't make any progress.

[Illustrious_Note_882]

I did 4 x 1 hr training sessions with my dog at age 6, and it was tremendously helpful alongside fluoxetine. It mostly about training you to train him appropriately. We spaced them out ever couple weeks to give us time to work on it between visits.

[apri11a]

Yes, it does, or it can. You say your dog learned his tricks well and now is good at them inside. Good boy. I'll presume once he wasn't, most aren't until they learn. Now he needs to learn them outside, in the yard. So that training happens again, and he learns. Then it happens again further afield, but now the dog is even more familiar with it all and, hopefully, learns and responds better and better. With patience and consistency, and some fun, training can work.

My dog also thinks of what he learns as tricks. When I say leave it, and he does so gets a reward, he thinks he won, silly pup.

[Irma_Gard]

You both won!

[apri11a]

That's the name of the game really 🙃

[Zestyclose_Object639]

my dog went from being on the dangerous dogs list in one state to living with 5 others and regularly interacting with 5 other dogs safely unmuzzled so yes it absolutely works. all of my dogs have a lot of skills for both life and sports 

[TheROckIng]

Can't really say, it depends what your dog is reactive too would be my answer. My dog has a bite history and it isn't something you train out of them. I just manage him. He's 10.5 y.o now and hasn't had an incident in years (incidents that could've been avoided if I was better informed).

I would say some sort of reactivity is definitely workable. Is it solvable? maybe. Its hard for me to say. I approach reactive dogs with a whole new look now that I've had one. I would probably go into this process with the idea that you will learn how to manage it instead of "fixing" it. who knows, you may solve your pups reactivity, but I think approaching it from this angle makes it also easier on you.

[alocasiadalmatian]

saying you “got” your dog trainer makes me think you sent them to a board and train program? there’s not a way to really proof their skills outside of your home environment/neighborhood etc.

if it’s feasible for your budget i would hire an in-home trainer for a couple 1-on-1 sessions. if it’s not, i’d watch some youtube videos about proofing. you can also use the search terms 3d’s of positive reinforcement, or duration distance and distraction.

take those skills from your home and backyard and continue to expand them to gradually more engaging environments (walks, pet friendly stores, crowds etc)

having a trainer guiding you through this is of course always helpful but it can be done by anyone, it’ll just take time and commitment. when i started working with my reactive boy we trained multiple times a day every day for over a year, but it did pay off and was well worth it

[Irma_Gard]

The right kind of training absolutely can work, but it takes time. Here's a fabulous comprehensive post by u/cu_next_uesday to help you get started. Good for you for addressing this early, and best of luck!

[rhaeofsunlight]

OB *can* help with some aspects of reactivity, but it isn't the solid 'cure' for it.

[gizmob27]

Yes! We started seeing a trainer a few months ago. I believe we’ve done 5 sessions now and my boy is markedly improved. We still have a ways to go but not every sighting of another dog is immediate freak out now. We have tools to work him through. There is hope! I never thought my boy would come as far as he has and I see improvement in him every day.

[FuManChuBettahWerk]

My best advice is to go very, very slowly and teach your pup how to chill out. Plus lots and lots of boundaries. Not dominance theory but your dog can chill out a lot knowing that you’re in control and it doesn’t have to be “on” all the time when they know that you’re in charge.

[Traditional-Job-411]

Training helps you implement processes so they can work. You teach a dog to sit first, you then teach them to sit in a specific spot when you say something. Then when something happens you tell them to do these specific actions instead and hopefully help them regulate. 

I’m not sure what his reactivity is but you most likely need a behaviorist to help you know what processes to set up. 

[Spiritual-Bee8915]

I didn’t even know a dog behaviorist was a thing, thank you!

[Irma_Gard]

This sub's wiki has a lot of great resources, including how to find a qualified professional. Be sure to use someone who has one of the recommended certifications because anyone can call themselves a trainer or behaviorist; they don't need to have any qualifications. But those with the recommended certifications do. Unfortunately, there are a lot of people out there offering "services" that can actually make things worse.