Does residential dog training (boarding and training) work? - Diary of a reactive dog

As Dante is about to go back home I discuss the pros and cons of residential dog training. Will his reformed behaviour transfer to the owner or will he regress? In this video I discuss the variables that will affect the outcome. But inly time will tell if this will be successful.
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[@zahedsubhan7676]

The gold nugget here is the clarification/explanation of what the causes of problem behavior are. I wish more owners (and dog trainers) recognized these. Great!

[@nigelreed]

Thanks Zahed :)

[@iuliasil5879]

I tried your method for leash walking! Changed my life! I like the way you speak so calmy and soft, and I try to apply it too with my dog and my life. Thank you again for puting this videos out. Greetings from Romania,

[@nigelreed]

Great to hear

[@carolynvines2027]

I love beautiful Dante's gentle focus on you! Every time you mention his name, in conversation, he whips his head around and looks at you. So beautiful. Dante looks like a happy dog. It doesn't seem like he's looking at because he feels he has too. He looks curious and a little excited, in a good way.

[@nigelreed]

:)

[@natashadurley930]

I love watching you build up the confidence of dogs! My heart burns to do the same with my rescue dog. On the days I get it right, I see him blossom and relax into his true self. On the days I get it wrong he slips back into an anxious state. I try SOO hard and treat every day as a training day. I read books, watch videos like yours, see my trainer every now and then but self-doubt can creep in and sometimes I just don't wake up confident. Residential training is GREAT to boost the confidence of the dog but I feel we humans could do with residential training to build our skills and confidence too! I am 100% devoted to doing everything I can to be the leader my dog needs but I don't feel a few 'handover' sessions from a trainer is enough to transfer the nuanced skill needed to read and react to the changing variables each day brings. The confidence in the dog is built by working together with a skilled handler EVERY day for a period of time. The confidence in the handler could do with a similar approach to help rewire the brain of the human. I hear a lot of trainers saying, "they can help the dog but if the owners aren't willing to put in the work, there's not much they can do". Sadly I feel a lot of owners are willing to do that but without regular experiential training themselves, it's a struggle. Personally, I would pay a lot to go somewhere to learn how to be a confident calm leader. Hands-on, with my dog, practising REAL things until it feels more natural. Unfortunately, we don't really have that in the UK. Do we?

[@rebeccatrono3376]

Nigel's book would help you lots in understanding what true leadership in the dog's eyes is. It's not about obedience. That comes naturally when the dog trusts you to take them into any situation and keep them safe.

[@nigelreed]

Hi Natasha, yes many trainers will work with you on a daily basis. You sound determined. Keep looking for answers and you will find them

[@nigelreed]

Thanks Rebecca :) , hope you are well.

[@natashadurley930]

@@rebeccatrono3376 will order now, thx

[@natashadurley930]

@@nigelreed Thanks Nigel. After watching and reading lots, I must say, I'm super impressed by your calm energy, understanding of dogs and skill at communicating to help owners like me. Keep up the amazing work. I'm going to order your book too :-)

[@pan0568]

He’s an incredibly lucky dog to have had your amazing input, and what a beautiful boy he is. Well done both of you. Me and my rescue could do with you down Penzance way!

[@nigelreed]

Thank you. I was born in Penzance. Grew up in Porthleven.

[@pan0568]

@@nigelreed I’m a 20+ year ‘incomer’, but feels more like home than anywhere else I’ve been ...

[@brianreed1451]

It can only work if after someone like you is willing and capable of continuing what you have started. My sport is competitive obedience and if I were to train someone else's dog and they weren't capable or willing to carry that training through it would all go to waste. Down to whether the owner is going to keep it going. Always good to follow your adventures Regards

[@natashadurley930]

Good point. I worry I might not be 'capable' as feel I am very 'willing' and put in the effort but it's not naturally in me. I wish oh wish I could be though. Do you know of a way I can be a better leader.. other than reading books and watching videos? I believe I do all the right things but don't have that inner confidence that comes with actually working with a dog rather than reading about stuff.

[@nigelreed]

Thanks Brian :)

[@nigelreed]

Natasha, you likely need one to one help for someone to see your body language at what you are portraying.

[@natashadurley930]

@@nigelreed Thanks Nigel. I think you are right

[@Champatan]

just the words i needed to hear! Thank you so much Nigel!

[@nigelreed]

Pleasure Seb. Thanks for watching.

[@jonathanfisher3916]

Yeah this is my struggle. I can’t get any space outside to give my dog any confidence. As soon as we are out the door there are other dogs, cars, and people, all which triggers his barking. We can work in the house, but there’s no easing in to getting outdoors without him losing it.

[@Sand-Tastic]

You're not alone. I just moved to the city from the country wheremy pitty never saw another dog or people and all i can say is be patient patient patient. Learn when to reward the tiniest of progress and most important stay calm. Your dog will react to the situation thru you

[@MisterDaveB]

D1NGL3BERRYMAN, I am no expert and I have a very difficult dog - so who am I to give any advice! Just an idea... you can't change your location easily, but how about trying different times to see if that helps. Try going out really early in the morning or really late at night to avoid his triggers or when its raining! (I know it might sound silly, but I doubt your dog will mind going out in the rain and there's always less dogs around when its raining...) I'm not suggesting that as a long term solution, but more as a way of building confidence and getting a few good experiences in. I have a large reactive dog and for the past month or so I've changed where I walk him and the time to avoid the triggers - it's been good to have a break and experience some enjoyable walks. I am now ready to gently reintroducing him to the situations that set him off and hopefully manage them better, but we are now coming from a shared experience of several walks where he has not been triggered and we've both been calm and relaxed. Good luck.

[@Sand-Tastic]

@@MisterDaveB this is the exact lpds this is exactly what I had to do with my reactive dog when we moved from the farm to the city I take him out when it's still dark in the morning and I wait till late evening to take him again after all the kids in the neighborhood have gone to bed. This is definitely been a big help and his adjustment to his outside surroundings and the more that he sees them the more he will get used to them try not to walk him being anxious or nervous because they will feel that in the leash and they will react to you

[@nigelreed]

Yes this is often an issue. This is why in one of the episodes I took him out in the car (and did this many times) to get him used to calmer parts of the world first.

[@bettymcconnell1011]

Can't wait for your next video thanks

[@nigelreed]

Thanks Betty.

[@carolineburns9644]

Amazing, thank you so much. I'm excited to learn how to train my dog and see transformation. 😁

[@nigelreed]

Great!!!

[@GeoffCostanza]

This is a good video, and one that I think a lot of people should see, but the title might not draw in casual viewers/dog owners. I wasn't familiar with the term "residential training" before watching it, so I thought the video was about something else entirely. Perhaps renaming it "Does Hiring a Home Dog Trainer Work? (Residential Dog Training)" or something similar would get more average viewers to watch it. Just a suggestion. I think you make the best dog training videos on KZbin.

[@nigelreed]

Thanks Geoff. Suggestion taking on board and applied. Thanks again :)

[@sandrabisset1423]

Learning so much from your videos and promoting them to other dog owners all the time 😊. Our lovely rescue dog has learned to trust us as leaders….unless the dogs two doors down start barking. (Happens a lot!) Then, she feels compelled to get wound up and bark back. We just keep assuring her all is fine and calling her away from the fence. Doesn’t seem to be getting better but perhaps we just keep at it? Sometimes we don’t even let her out when we hear them barking but that seems unfair to her. 😊. Otherwise she is very calm.

[@nigelreed]

Hi Sandra, thank you - that is kind of you :) f you're calling her back you're distracting her from the danger rather than showing her all is okay. If you allow her for any moment to take care of situations it will become unclear who is taking care of who. The less clarity the longer it will take. My thinking is to never leave any situation down to interpretation. Best, Nigel

[@dawnkelly7751]

Just found your videos & ordered your book. My 21-month old puppy has no confidence in me as a leader (found out from your video on the 5 ways to know). We are in the US and so am watching your KZbins as quick as I can to get my head around what's going on and how I need to change. Thanks for all this information. We tried in person training, but that's not worked. They wanted my Whippet in a Martingale collar with chain and then switched to Gentle Leader head halter, but that's not helped his confidence and he resists. I need to make some adjustments. My first Whippet was an alpha and he and I had a very deep natural bond. Our second Whippet is bonded with my husband as desired but he barks loudly regarding food, so I am hoping to make some changes with him as well as the third Whippet puppy who does not walk well when we see other dogs.

[@nigelreed]

Thanks for getting my book Dawn. I hope you manage to make progress. Best wishes, Nigel

[@dawnkelly7751]

@@nigelreed Your online training course has been a blessing. We have seen changes for the better in the first 3-days.

[@nigelreed]

@@dawnkelly7751 Oh yes sorry Dawn, I didn't click. Really pleased you are still making progress. Well done!!

[@Lasanie]

That is an interesting topic I have been wondering about. Just because you now have such a bond, if Dante werd to regress, would you ever consider taking him back?

[@nigelreed]

In a heartbeat.

[@exo_exotic7380]

Hi, I’m loving your videos, my issues are having 3 dogs. I have a puppy I’m trying to train but being able to separate is hard all tips and tricks would be welcome. I have two reactive mini schnauzers and our puppy is a standard schnauzer who I don’t want to become as reactive as the minis! Help… thank you

[@nigelreed]

Glad you are liking the videos. It's hard to advise I am afraid as it sounds like there is lot going on. The short answer is work with them individually for small amounts of time and have someone to look after the others whilst you are doing so.

[@beccah3940]

Hi Nigel, I have spent my day watching all your videos and they're fantastic. Thank you for such great and helpful content :) I have been considering becoming a dog trainer myself, and know that I obviously need to have a lot of practise in order to become any good. I do not own a dog myself anymore, but was considering fostering dogs in order to practise on a variety of different breeds, as well as provide these dogs with a loving home. I was wondering, in your opinion, if you think it would actually be bad for the foster dog's psyche if I did start training and providing leadership for the dog, but then when the time is up (fostering on average lasts a month, but could last a lot longer in some cases) either have to give them back to the shelter, or give them over to their new family. Potentially even without the opportunity to tell the new family what training I have done with the dog. Do you think that doing this would perpetuate abandonment issues that this dog may have or do you think it's still an okay (or hopefully positive) thing to do? Thank you in advance, I would very much appreciate your insight and opinion on this matter. - Bec :)

[@nigelreed]

Hi Becca, If you are a leader to that dog in the short term then that is only a positive thing. In a perfect world however the owners would continue to be leaders too. I would however not allow the dog to go back to a shelter - only with a suitable owner. Best wishes, NIgel

[@beccah3940]

@@nigelreed Thank you for your reply, and very good to know. There are organisations around where you can keep the dog until a home is found for them, so I will go with those ones then. Thank you so much :)

[@nigelreed]

They all should Becca, you would be providing an amazing service and learn lots in the process . Best of luck.

[@artflix2248]

My German shepherd is 7 months and isn't comfortable around other dogs, is it an age factor?

[@nigelreed]

I think you should definitely look to address it now as some will tell you the dog calms down when they are older and more often they don't.

[@artflix2248]

@@nigelreed Thanks for replying sir, but what should I do? It's a female german shepherd, she reacts to dogs just like the gsd Jazz you trained earlier but when a dog comes over to her, she just becomes stiff and doesn't do anything. She's a lot similar to jazz and o tried doing the things just like you did but it doesn't seem to be affecting on the situation.

[@nigelreed]

If she is still barking then then she s dealing with the issue. You have to react before her. My diary of a rescue dog series goes into great lengths on what to do. If that is not enough I can offer bespoke help via my online course. the-dog-guardian.teachable.com/p/dog-aggression-and-nervousness-course

[@artflix2248]

@@nigelreed Thank you so much helping with the issue. I will try the best option I can afford. You're amazing

[@Bladesmobile]

In othrt words the owners need training too 😂