Real, UNEDITED Leash Reactivity Training Session

[@happyhoundsdogtraining]

If you've enjoyed this video please like, comment & share 🙂 It really helps! ►🙋‍♀COMPLETE DOG TRAINING SOLUTIONS: •❓🤨 STRUGGLING WITH LEASH TRAINING? 👇 ✅ 6 Weeks to Dream Walks: Step-By-Step Leash Training Program: e37240-61.myshopify.com/products/6-weeks-to-dream-walks-step-by-step-leash-training-program •❓🐿 STRUGGLING WITH YOUR DOG CHASING ANIMALS (indoors or outdoors)?👇 ✅ Dog Prey Drive: How to STOP Animal Chasing: e37240-61.myshopify.com/products/dog-prey-drive-how-to-stop-animal-chasing-with-force-free-methods ►👀 WATCH NEXT: ✔ 6 Weeks to DREAM Dog Walks: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jKLKgY2wnqtmorM ✔ INSTANTLY Improve Dog Training Results By Managing Dog Threshold kzbin.info/www/bejne/fWK4h6uIfqeAe9U ✔ Simple Recall Game: kzbin.info/www/bejne/e2LFimiQmrqrjrM ✔ Try THIS for Faster Reactivity Results- Train an EMERGENCY U-Turn: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gWXSgJasYr2Apq8 ✔ Full Louie playlist here: kzbin.info/aero/PLiUh57UCWpFFC1h3Z4i-F0E7HtO7v051z ► 🗣 STAY CONNECTED: • Instagram (my most active platform): instagram.com/happyhounds_dogtraining/ • Facebook: facebook.com/HappyHoundsDogTraining.ca • Blog: happyhoundsdogtraining.ca/blog/ • Email list: view.flodesk.com/pages/61898eeb3a0e5bcf6f5411ec ►❤ FAVOURITE DOG GEAR: ➡ *ALL* my favourite dog items & discount codes: happyhoundsdogtraining.ca/shop 🧸 Amazing faux & real fur toys: www.tug-e-nuff.co.uk/?ref=happyhoundsdogtraining 🐕‍🦺 My favourite harness & dog gear: rockymountaindog.ca/?ref=ka8S8Xue 🦴 My favourite treat bag: amzn.to/3UUGF60 🦮 Beautiful custom biothane leashes (I use the hands-free version): www.hightailhikes.com?aff=212 Links included in this description might be affiliate links. If you purchase a product or service with the links that I provide I may receive a small commission. There is no additional charge to you! Thank you for supporting my channel so I can continue to provide you with free content.

[@EpsilonAD]

Thank you for all you share. The program looks interesting.

[@zsazsak879]

Real videos like this is what we reactive dog owners need

[@happyhoundsdogtraining]

I'm so glad it was helpful!!

[@apldogtraining]

Great video, it's beautiful to see you working with Millie as a partnership, letting her make decisions via smelling, observing and only marking and rewarding to build those behaviours into a natural habit. I do wish more force-free trainers showed this style of video.

[@happyhoundsdogtraining]

You are so kind, thank you! My goal with dog training is always to eventually not be needed haha. I want the new desirable behaviours to become the default choice versus something I have to forever ask for 🙂 I'd also personally love to watch other force free trainers do unedited sessions so I can see if they do things differently/learn new tips!

[@akeats4]

​@happyhoundsdogtraining The other creator who has done a couple unedited walks is @k9ofmine. She's also got some great videos

[@Kathy-mn6iq]

Thank you very much for sharing this Stephanie- we just found your channel and it is very helpful- as owners of a reactive, high energy 2 1/2 year old mixed breed dog, we welcome help and inspiration - we went from positive training to a short time of balanced training, and now we are back to positive training- we like ourselves much better when we train with kindness and positivity and I know our guy appreciates it too! Thank you again🐾

[@happyhoundsdogtraining]

You're very welcome! Happy to be part of your journey back to positive training 🙂 I've talked about this in other videos, but I previously used balanced training when I was younger! I had a hard time believing force free could actually work, and then I realized it doesn't when you simply try to substitute treats for corrections. If interested this video covers my transition to FF and what I had to understand for success: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jYq9iZ19ndJ0rdk

[@vivyenvu]

I've been following the steps from your Dog Neutrality video, but this full video taught me so much more! I'd bring my dog to the park solely for reactivity training, but you pointed out here that training needs to be fun and stimulating, and we can work on recall while we're at it! It was cool to see how you adapted to different scenarios during this session. And this video showed the different levels/situations for rewarding behavior; I thought there were only 2 cases to reward my dog, but there are plenty of good behaviors he's doing that I can reward! Thank you for putting out informative, force-free training videos 😊

[@happyhoundsdogtraining]

I’m so glad you enjoyed it and found it helpful!! I wasn’t sure if people would enjoy this style of video since they’re longer, but I wanted to show what full sessions can look like rather than the “highlight reel” 😊

[@oliviamcveigh900]

Thank you for addressing in your videos how difficult it is to help your dogs understand heel, recall, and reactivity at the same time. There’s someone in my life that has a very well trained dog, that has used methods that work for her and for her dog but those methods just scare my dog. My dog and I are very connected so I understand her and the way she thinks, what motivates her and what triggers her. The things this person showed me to do scared her and made her not want to do what she was asking her to do, when moments before I was working with her on reactivity and continuing with recall where we were making great progress. When this person came into the picture and wanted to show me how she trained her dog and what worked for her, none of it worked with my dog it just made her fearful of her because she would use leash pressure with a flat collar when I prefer a harness and prefer to use the styles you suggest. I like to let my dog be a dog, sniffing and going where her nose takes her to a certain degree as long as she isn’t pulling me. She doesn’t pull, but she does enjoy taking her time to take in all of the smells from other dogs which in my mind if I can recall her on a long leash like you do while she’s smelling the smells from other dogs, that’s me working with her and making progress building up to more challenges. It sucks when so many people have such different ways of training and might see theirs as right and ours as incorrect or submissive, or that if we give our dogs leadway to work on recall or enjoy the smells that we aren’t in control. I really appreciate your content and thank you so much for validating the things I feel comfortable doing with my dogs. I’ve seen great improvement with your methods and I prefer them so much more over all of the other training methods I’ve seen that have never worked beyond terrifying our dogs or making them hate walks.

[@happyhoundsdogtraining]

I'm so glad that you know & love your dog so much, and that you advocate for them when offered suggestions that don't fit! I think there's a misconception that kind training is "permissive" or "weak", and I see it so differently ♥ I want my dog to have a personality and preferences! I do want them well-trained, but I think the best way to do that while preserving a great relationship is through force free methods!

[@Pugggle]

Omgosh millie is so cute

[@happyhoundsdogtraining]

Isn’t she a sweetheart?! 🥰

[@AmyMarin-l9j]

This video is a game-changer. Thank you thank you thank you! We are really seeing results with our girl and we had lots of practice with scooters today. It went so well! I'm actually looking forward to continuing to work with her.

[@happyhoundsdogtraining]

I’m SO happy to hear that!! Thank you for taking the time to let me know ❤️

[@jennip8610]

I was happy to hear you talking so much to Millie. I do the same with dogs I'm working with. :)

[@happyhoundsdogtraining]

Haha I’m glad it’s not just me!!

[@fannitrainedstars]

This is real GOLD, thank you sooo sooo much!!!! It's extremely helpful as someone using positive reinforcement, reward based training to help her own reactive dog at the moment 🤗❤️❤️❤️

[@happyhoundsdogtraining]

You're so welcome! I'm very glad to hear it's helpful 😀 I'm hoping to share more of these unedited style training videos in the future since every dog is a bit different!

[@jovanestrada127]

Unedited, thank you! Applying what I’ve learned here with my reactive dog especially the calm, happy, and playful tone. 😊 More videos please.

[@happyhoundsdogtraining]

So glad you liked it!!

[@katantoni]

Thank you so much for another great video. SO HAPPY I'm not the only "crazy woman" in town talking to my dog, and giving treats "just" for signs of contact. The unedited videos gives such a realistic picture of training and love to watch and learn along thr way. It shows how everything is a long precess and not just quick 5min fixes.

[@happyhoundsdogtraining]

I'm so glad it's not just me! As I watched the clips and considered sharing this video I definitely questioned if my Millie chats would drive people crazy 😂 Ultimately I decided I didn't care, because it's genuinely what I do!

[@SuziQ.]

@@happyhoundsdogtraining, I do it all the time, even when we’re not working on any training. It would have been weird if you’d edited it out, because this is how I am with my dogs. They’re used to me talking to them. By the way, this video is really helpful. Thank you.

[@ADogDad2011]

I talk to my dog all the time. I let him know what we are doing next, I talk about the weather, and point out interesting plants when on walks…we talk about all kinds of stuff. I would like to see more reactivity videos. Keep up the great work, you are a good girl.

[@happyhoundsdogtraining]

So glad it's not just me having full conversations on walks 😂

[@itsjustanillusion]

Aww Millie is a cutie and she did so well on this walk! I would’ve found it weirder if you did a whole half hour walk in silence apart from the cues - the funny thing is that I didn’t even think twice about you talking to her until you mentioned it in the voiceover because this is pretty much how I talk to my dog too lol. Looking forward to part two and more reactivity content!

[@happyhoundsdogtraining]

Thank you so much🙏 I’m loving hearing how many other people chat with their dogs on walks! Definitely makes me feel like my little “training community” gets me ❤️

[@tessi6886]

Great video! This kind of video is so helpful. I have a running conversation with my dog when we're walking too 😂

[@happyhoundsdogtraining]

Thanks, and I'm so glad it's not just me!

[@uteweyer1548]

Very helpful and more of this would be great. In particular how to react when a close encounter suddenly happens, eg you come round a corner and the other dog is just there.

[@happyhoundsdogtraining]

I'm so glad you liked it! I enjoy making the unedited videos so it's definitely something I want to do more of. In general I suggest using a U-turn (I have a tutorial filmed with Millie for that which I'll link here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gWXSgJasYr2Apq8) to turn away from things the dog isn't ready for. I like the idea of showing that being used in an unedited video though 👏

[@zdoggizzle]

I just found you and you’re doing most of what our private trainer is teaching me! I’m going to watch & implement both in between each session. A cpl questions- how long is each training session & what treats are you using?

[@happyhoundsdogtraining]

It really depends on the dog, but when I first start working on reactivity I like to keep the exposure to other dogs to ~5 minutes a session and then build to 20-30 minutes. And I always bring two kinds of treats: something high value but regular like dog beef liver treats, and then for the harder training moments I use a tiny amount of something SUPER high value like cooked ground beef or pork chop 😊

[@zdoggizzle]

@@happyhoundsdogtraining thank you!!!

[@kadirtv7908]

i didnt watch like this video before. Most useful training video ever!!

[@happyhoundsdogtraining]

Thanks! 😊

[@deathgamer673]

Thank you for making unedited video. It really helps understand And see what it is that's going on. I have a question as to what treats you are using for Basic training and high quality treats?

[@happyhoundsdogtraining]

I'm glad they're helpful! I usually bring two kinds of treats on training walks: something high value, and a tiny bit of something SUPER high value. For the high value I often use dog treats from Costco (beef liver, chicken bites, etc). Then for the super high value I'll typically bring a small portion of real meat. I know many trainers love using hot dogs (affordable and dogs love them) but I prefer using something less processed like ground beef or roasted pork chops cut into tiny, tiny pieces :)

[@debbieh1413]

Hi again, I am so excited to share, today was our 18th loose leash training walk (16th with long lead). Had an unexpected opportunity to work on reactivity training. We walked around the corner & one of my neighbors have a Chihuahua mix & she was barking & barking from behind her fence. Echo looked at her & didn't freak. I called his name he looked at me, came to me (wasn't far away)took rewards, he peed, looked back the dogs way (more at owner in driveway). I said let's go & we walked on. This was the closest we have been to a dog in a long time without a terrible reaction. I was so happy & proud. Later he pulled many times & I started to get flustered. Stephanie, I remembered what you said. I told Echo I needed a moment to stop & calm down. We stopped, I dropped some treats at the edge of the grass, & I took a moment to breathe & let it go (I needed to reflect & remember the earlier win) before we continued. I see my fear free Vet tomorrow with one of my parrots & I am excited to tell her about your KZbin channel. I think she will watch it & share it with clients. Thanks for your video advise, it is helping me help Echo. 😊 Debbie

[@happyhoundsdogtraining]

That's amazing!! Also, I'm impressed that in the moment you could recognize when YOU needed a break. So often we focus on our dogs threshold, but still try to train when we are personally overthreshold. Taking a break to regroup is great!

[@debbieh1413]

Hi, I passed along your KZbin info to my fear free Vet & she was excited to check out yr site & pass along yr info to her clients. She believes in positive only training.

[@davidandbernadette]

Great video. Looking forward to future videos on this subject. My 10-month old Border Collie is very reactive to birds, squirrels, rabbits, etc.!!

[@happyhoundsdogtraining]

Thank you! If you haven't watched it yet, I'd also check out this video on prey drive/animal chasing. It's not about reactivity, but I think it would still be helpful 🙂 kzbin.info/www/bejne/d2inaqd7aZWrpac

[@claresheehan6177]

This is so useful - thank you. It’s great to see how you manage the reactivity in action, especially the subtle signs Milly was showing

[@happyhoundsdogtraining]

So glad it was useful 🙂 Her subtle struggles were what made me decide to share this session. A lot of guardians miss the build up in signals, and then the dog fully reacts. It's much more peaceful training when the subtle cues are respected!

[@TheCreepyKitten]

yes please! love this format

[@happyhoundsdogtraining]

Yay, so glad to hear you like it ☺️

[@MelissaWilkes-vt4pw]

I have just stumbled across your video.. and really enjoyed your training method!!… I talk constantly to my dog Milo on walks and get great results with positive reinforcement..so thanks for sharing this video… I also have a 2 yr old cockapoo who has been reactive on walks!!.. we have been working really hard to rectify this with loose lead walking. We also have recently switched from a harness to a collar, it has helped so much with the pulling on walks. Milo is less reactive now 👍🏻.. I love your positive reinforcement training method… as it the way i also like to train Milo…Your techniques have given me lots of encouragement knowing that we are heading in the right directions!!.. 😊 so thank you 🙏🏻

[@happyhoundsdogtraining]

Welcome to the channel and thanks so much for the kind words 😊 I'm so glad you liked it and it gave you encouragement!

[@pippimom]

Love the long unedited versions and the voice over explaining what when why ❤

[@happyhoundsdogtraining]

Yay, so glad you like them 😊

[@Rosco99100]

Thanks

[@happyhoundsdogtraining]

Thank you so much!

[@katsoutofthebox]

This is so sweet and helpful! I have a terror of a spaniel and will definitely be trying this 😅

[@happyhoundsdogtraining]

“Terror of a spaniel” made me laugh 😂 Happy training!

[@katyweaver5624]

Loveeee these videos! Watching you helps me know what I am doing wrong or how I can fix it. Sometimes dog reactivity training videos can be so obscure I’m not sure what I should be doing. My pup is doing so much better with loose leash training and recall but we struggle with staying below threshold because a lot of triggers seem to pop up even when I try to prepare for (bikers, people approaching to pet even when I ask them not to, children running down the street) and sometimes even the high value treats won’t help me out of these situations and he ignores me completely. Each day is a little better and I’m thankful I found your channel!

[@happyhoundsdogtraining]

I'm so glad that the videos are helpful! 👏 If you haven't watched it already, I'd really encourage you to check this video out: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gWXSgJasYr2Apq8. Millie needed a lotttt of u-turns when we first started because she'd be triggered ~ a block away so it took careful management to get the training distance right. Another perk is if you practice the u-turn a lot when there's nothing present the dog doesn't become suspicious and look around to see WHY you're turning again haha.

[@dogtrainer3897]

Love reactivity

[@happyhoundsdogtraining]

As in training it, or?

[@victoriar8668]

Thank you for sharing training a small dog. My Yorkipoo has similar struggles and I find it so hard to train her because she’s so little so 1. She can’t eat as much even with the treats tiny and 2. My back hurts after a while 😆 this shows me there’s hope for her!!

[@happyhoundsdogtraining]

You are so welcome! I have a one minute tips video that covers an easier way to reward small dogs/save your back which I'll link here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iHPRmIGBpbKkbZY. If you use wet food you can even use that as the reward rather than giving extra calories 🙂

[@kax7168]

Very helpful video! Do you buy the treats from the shop or do you make them yourself? Thanks!

[@happyhoundsdogtraining]

Thanks! Typical dog treats like liver pieces I buy, then I usually cook a small amount of something super high value (like ground beef or pork chop) myself 😊

[@AM-ou1wt]

Just purchased your 6 weeks to dream walking program. What type of leash do you use for Millie? She is about our dogs size and everything I have found is either to wide and heavy or thin and subject to hurting my hands. Also, what type of collar? Can't wait to start your program!! Thanks so much!

[@happyhoundsdogtraining]

Hi! Thanks so much for grabbing the guide and supporting my work. I think the program will help a lot 😊 I use leashes from a company called HighTail Hikes (www.hightailhikes.com?aff=212). I recommend them often, so they gave me a 10% off coupon code for anyone that wants to use it (HAPPY10). I like Hightails because you can choose the length & colour you want and they also come in a variety of widths. The "small dog" style is perfect for Millie since it's so lightweight. When a dog is just learning leash skills I recommend using a harness rather than a collar to protect their neck. The brand I personally use is Rocky Mountain Dog (rockymountaindog.ca/?ref=ka8S8Xue). Their harnesses are multi adjustable, durable, and have a front clip option which is nice. The code "HAPPYHOUNDS" gets you 10% off at Rocky.

[@Lynn-mc9zk]

this is great! is the dogs in the videos strangers or friends one thing I struggle with is finding a place with lots of dogs to get the reps in - something I can recommend you is give the dog breaks in between seeing the other dogs say 1-2 to start then break with a kong or a digestable chew then again 2-3 dogs or decrease distance, this allows for passive learning and decompresses lessens stress !

[@happyhoundsdogtraining]

All of the dogs in the video are strangers/unplanned interactions! I was actually disappointed because I thought even more would show up 🙂

[@mariacatalinamelladoguerre975]

Thank you so much for this kind of videos Stephanie! I have a 9 month vizsla puppy, that is an excellent dog, super sweet, high energy and extremely social. (My main language is not english in case I make a mistake haha) But the thing is, she's been reactive to dogs because she wants to say hi and play with every single one. I started your 6 week dream walks plan, and I love the approach and the neutrality factor, but I don't know how to mix this neutrality with her social personality, because we really love that she is so sweet and playful. So do you have any advice for this kind of reactivity (that i say is kind of a positive reactivity because she only barks at dogs but when she is close enough she gives them kisses hahaha). Again thank you so much for all you are teaching here in youtube, I think your approach is amazing!! 💕

[@happyhoundsdogtraining]

Hi! Thanks so much for grabbing my leash guide 😊 Your dog sounds very similar to Millie! Reactivity usually comes in two forms: 1) the dog is scared of the trigger (often another dog) or 2) it's frustration based where the dog reacts because it's annoyed it's not getting to meet the dog it wants to meet. Your dog definitely sounds like version #2. I'm allll for making sure dogs are well socialized, but a common mistake is taking that too far and building the expectation that they'll get to meet ALL dogs they see (which often leads to reactivity). Neutrality training will be suggested in later weeks of the guide, but you may want to watch this video early: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y4CUpmaKaN-GaK8. I like conditioning the expectation (through that tutorial) that no dogs will be met on walks until I give a cue such as "ok" to go and greet. That helps keep the dogs default to being ok just walking past other dogs, but then still gives you the ability to green light interactions you want her to have 😊

[@amb7440]

Great video! What do you do when a dog finds scat (poo from another animal especially wild)? One of my dogs will ingest it if I'm not fast and there's not a high reward treat to match (although I think maybe one of her toys might keep the attention...). I see you are keeping the leash long (at times) and soft - so I think I'll need to invest in a 10 or 15 foot lead as you have.

[@happyhoundsdogtraining]

I have tutorials for an advanced “leave it” cue (How to Train Your Dog to Leave It & STOP Scavenging on Walks kzbin.info/www/bejne/g2K4p5eCaZJmeJo) so I’d start there. I also train drop it a bit differently because I want the dog to IMMEDIATELY listen regardless of how high value the thing they found is. I’ll link that here too (How to Train Your Dog to DROP It: Step-by-Step Tutorial kzbin.info/www/bejne/aqSndIOOmL-ee68)

[@amb7440]

@@happyhoundsdogtraining Thank you! ♥

[@hholyspace]

It's extremely helpful to see the unedited video! I love your content, but this is even better in terms of learning. Thank you for sharing despite being embarrassed (not embarrassing at at btw, you're defo not the only one!) 🙏 I don't have a park close to my house and I struggle to walk my dog somewhere to train on a long leash (narrow or no sidewalks and lots of motorbikes which is his main trigger). I'd love to take him in the car somewhere better to train but he gets reactive in it as well. Do you have any tips or perhaps a video on how to train your dog to be okay riding on the backseat?

[@hholyspace]

He's a 35kg malinois mix, and he's scared of motorbikes because he's been run over once 😢

[@happyhoundsdogtraining]

Thank you; I'm so glad you enjoyed the unedited format! I don't have a video yet about conditioning the car, but that's a fantastic idea for a topic. It's something my own dog used to really struggle with. Essentially it all comes down to breaking the process down so it's manageable and positive for your dog. Depending on fear level, you may just start with walking towards the vehicle (while rewarding them) but not getting in. Then perhaps a Kong or treat in the backseat, but the vehicle doesn't move. Then small trips like once around the block, and so on. Another thing that really helped my dog was putting her dog bed in there that has raised edges. Being a little boxed in made a massive difference in her fear levels.

[@michelleborchardt199]

Great vid as always! Thanks for sharing :)

[@happyhoundsdogtraining]

Thank you so much!

[@EpsilonAD]

💞🐾

[@happyhoundsdogtraining]

🙏❤️

[@SusanKesslar-pq8qo]

This will be so helpful. A few questions though. It's a lot of treats, do the owners cut back on the dogs next meal? Also, my dog is a sniffer. He usually spends more time sniffing then walking and I have to encourage him to keep walking constantly. If I let him we could spend 20 minutes sniffing one spot. Any suggestions on how to encourage him to walk more than he does? He's not that treat motivated. Thanks

[@happyhoundsdogtraining]

I'm glad it's helpful! To answer your questions: 1) Yes, I definitely suggest cutting back at meals during times of heavy training to offset the calories. 2) I typically like teaching two styles of leash walking: heel and loose during. The "rules" during heel are quite strict: walk my pace, at my side, and no sniff breaks. During loose leash the dog can go anywhere they want on the leash and sniff as they please. I like teaching both on cue so that the dog understands which style of walk I'm looking for. Check out this tutorial for more info on both: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ape4h4ukqbyDha8. The recall game shown in this video with Millie could also help you because it encourages the dog to reorient to you after something of interest on the ground (including smells). One last suggestion would be to practice an advanced "leave it" cue that you can use to get your dog back to you after enough sniffing. I'll link that tutorial here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/g2K4p5eCaZJmeJo

[@SusanVisser-tv3ti]

thanks for the info. I use the leave it with him but it's constant. Looks like we need to work on the heel type of walking more. Thanks​@@happyhoundsdogtraining

[@m.z.593]

Since you are training the dog yourself, how do you transfer the skills to guardians? Since more traditionally you'd be coaching them directly I'm also interested what made you take that route

[@happyhoundsdogtraining]

There are two aspects to my business: 1) 1:1 client work that is the traditional way you describe where I teach the guardians how to train their own dog... that's the vast majority of what I do and 2) These KZbin videos as a side project of sorts. All of the dogs you see filmed with I initially worked with on other skills/behaviours with their guardians doing the training. So it's easy to transfer skills from filming because the humans are used to me coaching them how to train their own dogs anyhow!

[@m.z.593]

@@happyhoundsdogtraining oh okay that makes sense. Though I also think this way of doing it, seems pretty smart with or without youtube to give the team a boost. Thanks for the explanation

[@happyhoundsdogtraining]

@@m.z.593 I can see using it as a hybrid model because the dogs do learn faster with better timing! So could be used to get results that are then transferred to the guardians ☺️

[@debbieh1413]

Thanks for the video, you said Millie was previously very reactive, how did you get her not to react? I'd love to see those videos. Echo is not good at finding treats that I scatter. I usually have to point a few out, really bad if in grass. He is mainly herding/guard/sight breeds, but not any scent breeds. We just did training loose leash walk #23 (last 15 have been in cemetery behind house, where don't usually see dogs). He is doing so much better & not always loose leash, (using an almost 9 foot leash),but he's not pulling like before. Echo turned 3 this week(also our 2 yr anniversary together), he is a 52 lb in black & white mix breed (did DNA). He is very reactive to dogs, so want to know the next step. Should I go to a park where we have seen dogs? It's a large park, so can get distance in soccer field. I realized I do need to talk & engage with him more on walks. I'm a big talker, so funny that I don't do it more with him. He is definitely bonding closer with me with these one on one sessions. I have another dog (who's almost 4) who is his buddy. I can't focus on training & walk two dogs. Hunter is an easy walker, stays close usually at my side on walks. Not sure when to add him to the walks? Going camping in a few weeks & that is a big test with other dogs on other sites or when out walking trails. I am so happy when you put out a new video, I have watched them all. Always pick up something for my tool box. Thanks, Debbie

[@happyhoundsdogtraining]

I'm glad the videos always add something to your tool box! Millie was one of my private clients, so the majority of her training was done by her guardians (under my guidance). I only filmed a couple one-on-one sessions with her. That said, yes she was highly reactive (up to a block from a trigger, and immediately upon spotting it). The first thing I had them work on was leash training since she perpetually pulled. Removing leash tension won't fix reactivity, but tension always worsens it, so it's often where I want people to start. I also had them practice a lot of emergency techniques (like this one kzbin.info/www/bejne/gWXSgJasYr2Apq8) to avoid triggers until they were ready to actively start training. Once we did train, it was more of what you're seeing in this video (rewarding glances without reactions, then switching to rewarding voluntary disengagement) but from much farther distances to start!

[@debbieh1413]

@@happyhoundsdogtraining Thanks, I will keep working on loose leash walking in the cemetery for this week. Tonight we saw a dog quite a distance away, he was starring so I decided to continue the opposite way, he kept looking back but continued on walk & seemed more relaxed than in past.

[@christinaperucci1473]

What kind of treats to you use? Link please

[@happyhoundsdogtraining]

I usually bring two kinds of rewards: 1) Something incredibly high value for the reactivity training (with Millie here I brought 1/4 cup of cooked ground beef) and 2) High quality dog treats for the remainder of the training. I'm a massive fan of Vital Essentials "bites treats" (they come in a variety of meats such as duck, rabbit, beef, salmon, etc) which I'll link here amzn.to/3Vf43KD. I'm not affiliated with the company, I just find that dogs love them 😊

[@inkofthedragon]

What sort of mounted camera system are you using? Thanks

[@happyhoundsdogtraining]

Gopro and headmount! amzn.to/3zA2EHb

[@inkofthedragon]

@@happyhoundsdogtraining cool thanks! Have you ever used the chest mount? The head mount looks a bit cumbersome and conspicuous

[@chauntellemoran6175]

Would this help for my dog who is particularly scared of other dogs. He will try and hide behind my legs and cower away and if a dog gets too close he will growl and lunge. Hes still a puppy but want to get him used to dogs and not be frigtened ❤

[@happyhoundsdogtraining]

This will help, but it's important to work at a distance that doesn't trigger those fearful feelings in your dog so that positive associations can be built. There are two videos I'd suggest checking out: 1) This video on threshold: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fWK4h6uIfqeAe9U. It will explain why we need to work under threshold, what affects threshold, and more. It's something I ask all of my clients to fully understand because it really does make or break results! 2) This stepwise neutrality training video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y4CUpmaKaN-GaK8. It shows how I set-up training so dogs can eventually walk right past other dogs on the sidewalk without a care.

[@juliechannell198]

Hi , first thank you for posting this I am finding your videos very helpful. I am finding that one of my boys once hightened doesn't respond at all to the treat offered, once this happens I find it really hard to get his attention back What can I do ? Thanks x

[@happyhoundsdogtraining]

I'm so glad you're finding them helpful! If you haven't watched it yet, I'd strongly encourage you to check out this video on threshold. It explains WHY the treats become un-motivating & what to do: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fWK4h6uIfqeAe9U

[@juliechannell198]

@@happyhoundsdogtraining ok I will have a watch thank you for your reply x

[@squarepegfb]

I constantly engage my 2 dogs on our walks, don't be embarrassed! Can I ask what long leash you're using in the video? It looks light and supple and easier on the hands than a lot I've had.

[@happyhoundsdogtraining]

It's funny because I know I do it, but watching it back on video was something else 😂 It's obvious how much Millie liked it though! And of course. I have a variety of leashes, but I'm a huge fan of biothane since it's so light and easy to clean. I believe I was using a 20ft one here? The brand Hightail Hikes is awesome and I have a 10% off coupon code (HAPPY10) if interested: www.hightailhikes.com?aff=212

[@nataliejjw7615]

So my trainer recommended we put our boy in a heel when we are walking past triggers closer to threshold. If we have him not in a heel I find he reacts a lot more. I say heel but I'm not asking for a focused heel just him by my side. When working st more distance I'm able to let him see his triggers, disengage and then get reward not under a command. Why is the trainer recommending a heel when walking past triggers but you and millie aren't?

[@happyhoundsdogtraining]

As with any industry, there's going to be differing opinions! Your in-person trainer has met you & your dog, so perhaps there's different logic behind the suggestion for your particular situation. (Example if your dog usually stands far away from you, it can be more difficult to reward). For me 99% of the time I want the reactive dog to be choosing their own position so they can also learn to take extra space if they want to versus me telling them where they need to be. Eventually I want to phase out all cueing and have the dog make their own choices!

[@kadirtv7908]

Hello thank you for the video!! You are holding treats in your hand. İf dogs see your hand then trigger can it create wrong picture in his head? Second worry is your treat hand becoming part of behavior which check in with you or nice walks. İs it something you dealing after or is it totally okey?

[@happyhoundsdogtraining]

Hey. Can you elaborate on what you mean by “wrong picture in his head?”. As for worrying about it becoming part of the behaviour: no, I don’t. Dogs main sense is smell, so depending on what I’m using for rewards the dog definitely knows the treats are there regardless of whether they’re in my hand or the treat pouch. If I have to fully SHOW the treat to get the dog to do something (like holding the treat up where she can see it to get her to recall to me) I’d worry about bribery and that becoming part of the cue. But not when they’re hidden in my hand! I will add though that once the dog is more trained, I don’t carry the treats directly in my hand the whole walk either. This is more when I assume I’ll be rapidly & frequently rewarding 😊

[@colelynch8688]

What length is the leash you’re using?

[@happyhoundsdogtraining]

I have multiple leashes and filmed this awhile back, but I believe I was using my 20ft leash. At minimum it’s a 15 ft.

[@martynastepien8448]

This is my struggle with my German Shepherd Puppy. She is 5 months old and perfect in many aspects but when she see her pal in a shared garden she is going mental. Super excited loosing focus on me... Even when she just played or trained and is not exhausted or overtired. She just barkes and whine and I need to put distance to calm her Off leash she is even worse cause she will just jump at other dog and bark at their body. I do not know what to do anymore cause every attempt is failure. I really would like them to be able to be together in the garden but I am worried my dog will just not get it :( even when calm and I let her go to the other dog and she starts to bark and I walk away she is not learning that barking is bad....

[@happyhoundsdogtraining]

Does your puppy have a history of always getting to go play with that other dog in the garden? If so, that's likely a huge factor. Removing her after she's already started barking won't be as effective as teaching her neutrality before an incident. I'd check out this video if you haven't watched it yet: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y4CUpmaKaN-GaK8

[@martynastepien8448]

@@happyhoundsdogtraining not always. Sometimes I am going a bit further away to regain her focus on leash. But when the other dog is running about she is just to hyper to do so. Even if I am only getting closer when she is calm and not pulling on leash as soon as we get to the other dog she starts all over again. I will defo check the other video out 😊

[@zsazsak879]

Which province are you in 🇨🇦

[@happyhoundsdogtraining]

I'm in Alberta! Are you in Canada too?

[@michelewood925]

I wish my dog cared about treats. She just doesn’t. Even if it’s hot dogs or chicken. Outside is too exciting.

[@happyhoundsdogtraining]

If your dog is treat motivated in the house but not outside, it's almost always an issue of threshold not being managed properly. This video will explain & show that in much more detail: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fWK4h6uIfqeAe9U

[@CWalmsley]

A million zillion treats

[@happyhoundsdogtraining]

Yep, I encourage rewarding lavishly when you first start training or are working on difficult behaviours!