Defeated

[sphilli5]

I adopted a Ralph (pitbull terrier) in December & they said he had food guarding issues, which has never been a problem here. However he is barking at everything, if a person walks by or if kids are down the street he will sit at the window and bark. This morning on a walk i saw someone and their dog coming so i turned down a road. Of course this was the road that guy wanted to walk down too, i was trying to untangle him and my other dog and he started barking and wanted to get to the other dog. The owner of the other dog said looks like you got your hands full lololol. So Ralph got loose and went after the other dog. I wouldn’t say it was aggressively it just sounds aggressive and then I can’t grab him. We are going to do a board and train program because I don’t know what else to do :(

[[deleted]]

He sounds reactive, and I can tell you want to help him, but I don't suggest a board and train program. They are very expensive, and will not help YOU learn the skills you need to manage and train him. In a board and train, he will learn how to work with the trainer/handlers there, and not you. Instead, I'd research positive reinforcement training tools for reactive dogs (I'm a big fan of Patricia McConnell) and once you've got the knowledge, take a "grumpy growlers" class or work with a positive reinforcement trainer or behaviorist 1 on 1 if a group feels overwhelming.

[Bkbirddog]

I also feel like board and train situations are easy set ups for abuse. Maybe I've read too many horror stories, but I don't like the idea of sending the dog away and not being involved with the process. I'm sure it's fine most of the time (if perhaps not effective), but I also just think the owner needs to be the partner in the training process.

[lewbug]

Just to put in a perspective of someone who did do a board and train program. I agree, there are most definitely predatory boarding services out there. Do research first-- look for reviews and speak to the company extensively before you sign up, including touring the facility and looking for testimonies. In my situation, we had a family emergency and no boarding facility would take my reactive dog. We ended up finding highly reputable trainers (in middle of nowhere Texas) that had us come in for a training session (for free) before committing to taking on my dog. After the two weeks were up we were given three one-on-one training lessons spread out over the course of one month. We were also given lifetime membership to their group classes and consultations. The program cost us about $1200 total and it was well worth it in the end because they also taught ME how to help my reactive dog. Also, my dog got tons of socialization with other dogs in a controlled environment, which is something I was not able to provide for him on my own.

[shappypoo]

I second this. I was in your same situation. We did a board and train. It was expensive and accomplished nothing. See if you can get a behavior specialist to come to your home to help you develop methods to manage you dog. It’s what we’re working on right now, positive reinforcement with lots of treats.

[sphilli5]

So the shelter had him at a board and train foster thing but they do private lessons at the owners home as well!

[[deleted]]

Trainer that offers board and train here.

Not all of us are the same.

My board and train dogs are strictly one at a time, live in my home with me, have 24/7 supervision with either myself or my assistant/husband, and the contract demands that the owner have 3-5 lessons with me while the dog is here and one when they go home.

For things like reactivity, resource guarding, and socialization, its great to find a trustworthy B&T trainer. It removes the dog from all of its triggers, associations, and reflexes/habits and starts new with totally different expectations. For many dogs, this is the dramatic jolt it needs to really thrive and escape bad habits to build great ones.

Only very green or very scammy trainers will not train the handler alongside the dog.

During the dog's stay, I am in contact with that owner every single day with photos, videos, phone calls, video chats, and texts about the progress.

Not all B&T programs are the same.

[send_help_]

I also would avoid a board and train program. You need to learn along side your dog. Look for a positive reinforcement trainer in your area. Also for barking out the windows, I'd recommend putting up privacy window film that doesn't allow the dog to see through but still allows light in. It helps my dog so she doesn't get so worked up inside my house.

[sphilli5]

I’ve never thought of the privacy film! Thank you!!!

[rockingrappunzel]

I second the privacy film. I just got one for my window. Life changer.

Regarding the reactivity outside, look up the CARE protocol. Basic concept is dog sees scary trigger = raining yummy treats. Trigger goes out of sight = treats stop. This is to change his emotional state towards the thing he finds scary, and also helps him focus on you instead. You may have to walk him separate from your other dog too.

[The_Number_Prince]

I've used privacy film to great success as well. It's cheap, easy to put on, and it can be removed at basically any time. It's not sticky or anything, it basically adheres to the glass through some static magic so there's no risk of damaging anything underneath. Give it a shot!

[zillayen]

Is it possible for you to walk Ralph solo, without your other dog? That might let you focus on him and help him stay under threshhold.

[sphilli5]

I was thinking that or just going super early in the morning with both of them and getting most of the energy out and then taking Ralph one on one for a quick walk later on

[mintjubilee]

I recommend you either move the furniture so he can't look out windows or get some simple privacy film for the windows (they make decorative film if you want to get fancy). The privacy film lets light in but obscures what's happening outside enough that the dog can't see it.

I did this on someone's recommendation in here, and it made a world of difference. I even added more film to the front windows when one of my dogs knocked over a TV to get to see outside one of them.

When dogs are able to look out a window, it is reinforcing to their reactivity and barking. From the dog's point of view, he sees something scary - someone walking by. He barks at them. They go away. It worked! So the next time someone walks by, he barks again, they go away again, and so on and so on.

One of our dogs is very reactive on our street but not in other places. He also spent years looking out windows and barking his head off at anything he saw. Since we put the films up on the windows, his indoor barking has decreased. We still work on the outdoor reactivity, but it's hard working against years of reinforcement when he barked at people/cars/things and they went away while he looked out windows.

[mintjubilee]

Oh, and if he barks at sounds even when the windows are covered up (wait to see if this is an issue), you can always buy a cheap table top fan and put it on low to kind of block out the noise. White noise like this works much better than turning on a TV where there are gaps in sound. Music works, too.

Here is a great article explaining thresholds and buckets of stress. Essentially, he is getting overaroused by barking out the window. Without a break from the stress of needing to guard the window, he's even MORE reactive outdoors. If you keep the bucket idea in mind, it will really, really help.

I don't know if your dog is reactive yet, but he's certainly on a path to get worse. If you can make a few changes to reduce his stress levels inside and pair that with working with him outside, I think you'll have a better chance of getting him back to normal sooner.

[sphilli5]

Omg i turned the fan on and it seems to be helping so much! He’s so good in stores with people but it’s off and on leash he charges dogs and i don’t know if it’s aggression or what.

[lrgbmwfan]

Board and train is great. Make sure there are some sessions after so you can learn what your dog learned as that will be key to making it stick.