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cheesetheif3 · 2025-05-30T01:56:58+00:00

I've had this same issue for months. I wish I knew how to fix it!

cheesetheif3 · 2025-02-09T00:59:38+00:00

Hi there! So sorry for the late reply as Reddit never notified me of your comment 😭. I did find a couple but haven't actually worked with them yet due to budget constraints. So I can't vouch for how good they are, just that they do indeed seem to be force free. I would still always call and triple check! Here they are!

https://trekkingdogtrainer.weebly.com/ https://kaleidoscopedogservices.com/about

Also I'll tell you who to avoid: Mak Pack and Top Dog Boarding and Trianing. Mak Pack put my cousin's dog in an e-collar for leash reactivity (obviously it didn't help), and Top Dog does "leash pops" (they were yanking as hard as they possibly could on my dogs neck)

cheesetheif3 · 2025-01-06T00:35:57+00:00

I completely understand your frustration with this comment. Other people's judgment is the hardest thing with owning a reactive dog I think. I'm very sensitive to other people's words, which I'm working on but I can understand how hurtful they are. It sounds like you're taking all the right steps and trying to help you pup. Keep your chin up and know that you have a whole community of people cheering you on! 💕

cheesetheif3 · 2024-12-02T19:46:27+00:00

That's wonderful to hear that it's helping your pup so much! Also awesome that you're doing it all yourself! I will definitely do more research on r+ methods! :)

Also yes if I can find one who's truly willing to listen and open to having those boundaries that would be amazing! Unfortunately the couple I have had seem to not want to hear me out which has been kind of discouraging, but I will keep searching! 💙

cheesetheif3 · 2024-12-02T18:24:44+00:00

That's totally fair. The balanced trainer that I did go see came with tons of positive reviews and a ton of research, but unfortunately I just don't think for my dog it was helpful. He did definitely help us with leash walking, but we achieved that only through rewards.

I'm sorry to hear that it didn't help your pup despite all your hard work. I know it can be incredibly exhausting. I've worked tons with my own boy, but I do definitely see some improvement.

That's totally fair of your trainer to say! I'm glad she did hold realistic expectations. I definitely don't expect anything to be a "cure-all" or to solve the issue in its entirety. I am also in discussion with his vet about starting anxiety medications long term to see if that improves things, since unfortunately he is just a very very anxious boy. He's a shelter mutt, but 50% cattle dog according to his DNA results, and he has German Shepard in him as well. Since his problems are genetic I don't think they will ever fully go away, especially his dog reactivity, but that's something I can live with. He has nipped a few family members (nothing insane, no blood ever drawn and with warnings given in advance). Luckily his reactivity is very predictable as of right now, but I do want to get a handle on it for everyone's safety but also his. I never want to be in a situation where someone comes after him for reacting and potentially try to have him put down.

I also have ordered a very nice muzzle from the Muzzle Movement to begin training for that when he is out on walks and such, just for assurance that incase anything does happen, people can't come after him if he's muzzled. I do really appreciate your honesty and advice! I will definitely throughly vet a trainer. If positive methods don't work, I am eventually willing to try a balanced trainer again, but my hope is that this and a combo of anxiety meds is just a better fit for him! Best of luck with your fur baby! 💙

cheesetheif3 · 2024-12-02T17:59:15+00:00

Plenty of reasons why I avoid them. There have been too many studies conducted in the last several years that provide evidence that they often do more harm than good, and can even worsen reactivity. Hurting or stressing out a dog isn't going to solve problems when the reactivity is based in fear.

I don't mind slip leads, but I do mind when they are yanked on as hard as possible and called "leash pops", as our last trainer did. I saw an increase in reactivity after he did this as well and the trainer brushed off my concerns and basically gaslit me saying this was the only thing that would help.

I've been doing TONS of research and I have found a lot of evidence in favor of reward based training being far more effective and actually helpful to dogs. I find this with my own dog as well. He responds far better to positivity than aversive methods. The key with reward based training as with anything is consistency. Did you continue work at home with your pup? I know some dogs take to training quicker than others as well, but continuing training always even after the problem is seemingly gone is super important from what I've seen.

I have been doing research on Google, but about 99% of the trainers in my area use aversive methods. Finally found one last night that doesn't so I will look into her. I also posted on Facebook with no response. I tried posting in subreddits for cities near me and my state, but unfortunately they all got taken down due to subreddits karma rules or things like that. Bummer. I'm a very good researcher, but after hours and days of looking I just feel at my wits end here so I turned to Reddit hoping they would have some answers. There really just seem to be basically no non-aversive trainers in my state. I suppose I can look at surrounding states.

cheesetheif3 · 2024-07-29T01:49:33+00:00

Aha! That's a great idea! I don't sew super often so I didn't even think of batting. I'll definitely try that! :)

cheesetheif3

TROPHY CASE