I have been practicing all of your methods with my two pits. Today I called "Josie Come!" In the backyard. Josie, who is fence and leash reactive, started to come to me. Suddenly a little dog barked, not far away. Seriously her whole body jolted like an electric shock when that dog barked. She turned her head, but continued to come to me. Absolutely amazing. She got a lot of love at the finish of that recall. Your methods (and I'll give myself some credit for time and effort) are literally changing our lives for the better!
Great to hear- similar experience here. I used to describe it as an electric charge that would run through him upon hearing another dog bark. From that point on I would basically have no control over him because he would launch into full tactical alert. In six months he has gotten so much better- he still looks around but he doesn't go out of control anymore like before.
I know! Isn’t it amazing? I had never had a dog from a puppy and I pretty much adopted 1plus yr old pups that luckily seemed pre-trained… at least good enough for me… I always thought that being extremely well trained took a long time and required a trainer whom I’d have to pay thousands of dollars to, I did hire trainers for each of my 5 pups ( one passed so I have 4 now) when a specific issue would arise, and it worked, but I didn’t gain the confidence or learn any techniques that I thought I could do. With Joel’s techniques I can now get all four pups to sit and wait while the door is open, the. Sit at the gate open till I tell them to go. They used to just bolt out the door, jump up onto the fence gate and go crazy running up to the car…. It took me three days, actually on the third day all I had to do was start the hand motion to back up and they scrambled to do that! And I could open the door and they didn’t move… it blew my mind! And the gentle leader for my collie… wow… that was a miracle to say the least. It’s so much more fun, and I loved running or walking my dogs anyway, but that edge of stress that I didn’t feel completely in control is gone… the other day at the dog park someone even said “wow, your pups won’t take their eyes off you!” I had come running down a hill to the river and instead of running into the river, they stopped with me until I told them to go… that they did all by themselves… I never made them stop before. Crazy smart… I can feel how happy you are in your comment… and I ditto that feeling😊
Your "pause at the door" method really helped us today. Our front door was left open by mistake and our 2 huskies that were trained to pause at the front door did NOT bolt out. They just stood there looking out. Your methods really work. Need to work on our Golden though - she merrily walked out. THANK YOU.
This was a great example of balanced training, especially with a dog that's not yet an adult. I haven't seen a demonstration quite like this, in any of your videos thus far!!!
Love this video! My dog is definitely a better dog when we walk....still reactive to other dogs but not as bad as before :) I also talked to my dog just like Joel when he did good thing on leash...I know a lot of people on the streets did look at me like "what up with this woman?!" But I don't care! I want my dog to be a good dog!!!!!
Oh my gosh! This is so helpful! My Catahoula is eleven months old I'm dealing with exactly this. I have been to harsh, too exact, I will back off a bit. Seeing how you deal with an outburst and work to get things relaxed and let the dog decompress after is so very helpful. I see also that, for now, I need to set up for success and not get in situations where our proximity is too close to start, to work up closer. This will help my fearful girl. Thanks.
This video is so helpful for working on fear reactivity with my dog. With your methods we went from intense reactivity to peaceful walks with no reactions in just a couple weeks! Thanks Joel! It would be so great to hear your advice for fence reactivity as well.
People, stop wasting your time and just follow what Joel is saying to help you, help your dogs. This guy has got dogs figured out. I like all his recommendations mostly “loose leash walking”! I have been using a lot of his techniques before I saw Joel on RUclips, his techniques WORK! There is nothing worse than a misbehaving dog, or child…. Dogs are like kids, they want to see how much they can “get away” with, before they are corrected. If I communicate effectively with my 65 mix breed, he knows what’s expected of him and 95% of the time is great. Thanks Joel!
This vid helps me SO much. I need to stay sensitive to the fear period that my 9-month GSD is in. She is like Luna, slightly nervous, on "alert" all the time, to everything within 360 degrees of all of her senses. "This dog needs latitude." I so needed to hear that, and will remember it. Thank you.
Totally! When you’re talking about how you want to let dogs out are more that are nervous & explore a little more that is spot on! It’s like that was horses to. You want a horse that is inquisitive, curious and thinking. You DON’T want a horse that is scared, nervous, being micromanaged by there human and and fight, flight or freeze mode. You want to encourage the curiosity.
Oh how I wish I had found your channel when our boy was young!!! Our boy is so frantic 😔. He was bitten by 2 dogs (at 9 and 15 weeks, the first time by a dog on a retractable lead and the owner wasn't paying attention coming around a corner and the 2nd time a dog busted out a front door around some kids). I'm taking in as much information as I can from you about dogs with fear issues!!! Thank you for sharing!!!!
Your methods are amazing. You changed the way I think about my dog. Unfortunately I fell into FF emotional manipulation and lost precious time of development of my dog tiptoeing around him and created stupid issues along the way aka dog reactivity. With your leash walking technique I got my dog to think before he reacts. Now I’m onto letting him meet as many random dogs as possible. He gets more and more comfortable and confident, his reactivity turned into curiosity and desire to experience and discover things. He has no problem with passing dogs going crazy at the fence. We still struggle with passing dogs on a walk on a narrow pavement, but getting there. Thanks to so many of Joel’s videos I know where the problem is - my mistakes. To all that are not sure about this. It ain’t looking pretty at first, but it’s worth it. It looks like the dog is on the ride to the worst trauma ever, but it’s not. That’s how dogs work
More videos like this would be great. My dog has huge fear leash reactivity. Just the sight of another dog 50m away, or walking near a house where she knows a dog lives, and all the fur on her back stands up. If the other dog ignores her she's fine. If the dog looks at her she'll start trying to strain on the leash. If the other dog barks or tries to get to her she lunges. I've been having a lot of good progress with the 'stopping and decompressing' stuff you talked about. Sometimes her fur just stands up for no apparent reason and as soon as it does everything goes out the window and it's like she forgets I'm even there. She starts darting across the path, pulling to get to stuff she wants to sniff. Then we stop, I calm her, and she's a totally different dog afterwards. It's really hard to snap her out of the fear when another dog is around and as soon as she gets into that state all the training goes out the window. I've been trying the leash 'pop' correction you've explained but it's hard and feels cruel because she wants to listen to me, she's great at home, very responsive, listens to every command, but when she gets into that fear place it's all over. It feels like on top of being terrified I'm just adding stress to her with the corrections. She's a 30kg Bull Arab so definitely need to get these behaviors under control.
I wouldn’t have believed it if I didn’t do it see it for myself. My 35 lb border collie who I run with three other pups is like a Mac truck… I swear she could win any tractor pulling contest. She ignores other dogs while running because she is so so so focused on running as fast as possible…. She would wear a “no pull” harness which was a joke except she wouldn’t choke herself out… I used the gentle leader today… and except for having a little adjustment on my part, she was patient.. struggled a bit but was more interested in the hot dog bits… I did the loose walk and if she “hit the end of the leash” I corrected and turned…that took me a minute, but she got it! She got it… after the couple of corrections she was looking at me rather than the world she wanted to get to… walked beside or behind me consistently for 20 minutes or so… did sit stay commands in a corner with eyes glued to me… I feel like it’s a dream! And that it was just her joking with me … I’ll work with her alone for the next week walking and running and then add the other pups for a run..we have only been doing off leash at the dog park because I was afraid to be pulled down… by a 35lb pup! She is that strong…I live in walking distance and would run just praying that I didn’t trip… “ I’d get looks from EVERYONE!” “ who’s running who?” I’d hear… I know this is long but I am amazed! I’m working with a behaviorist for my “household dog” aggression from my cattle pup. That’s going well and I have applied your “I’m the boss” attitude without letting my emotions get in the way. I am learning to trust my pups that they can and want to do “the right thing”! Thanks so much!!!
This is the most useful video for me personally. I have a fear reactive St. Pyrenees who is reactive on leash. I have found that I need to be softer and that the best thing is to set him up to realize what he is scared of isn't actually scary. After that he is fine. The funniest reaction I've had is barking at an empty bag of McDonald's 🤣
Great video. I still have a tough time with leash reactivity from nervousness/anxiety and it feels embarrassing when we're in public. We keep working on it using your methods and we've had successes, but this morning I had some smug dog owner with an off-leash dog who had 'perfect' behaviour criticize my dog and my lack of training ... what a horrible experience. I deeply empathize with people who choose 'off times' so they never have to walk their dogs around other dogs or people...
So I have a 6 month old dog and we adopted him at 2 months and some change at the end of Dec last year. Foster did amazing, had him crate trained and potty trained as well as socialized with dogs. We're thinking there's a mix with German shepherd, malinois, and collie. He's incredibly smart. We can go through home depot, home good, Michael's, and petsmart. He does great in all of those places. However one thing I've noticed is more of the fear like in this video. I actually have been working with him doing very short block or two walks just to set us up for success. I watched this, went and grabbed the leash and did a few corrections on our block. I realized I needed to go slower and give him more time. He's very food motivated but I had to hardly drop any food with your method.
Such great modeling and sharing nuances and reasoning! I always appreciate how you show and offer how to customize the training to and for the dog. I like that you talked about letting the dog acclimate and assess. Thanks and heaps of best wishes!
Thank you for mentioning her fear stage. I had never heard of that! My 12 month old pitbull/lab mix suddenly began to stop two houses down during our walk and refuses to go any further. If I try to make him, he lies down and shows fear. So we start home and he runs home like a madman. He also seems afraid to retrieve his toys when I throw them in the kitchen. He just won't do it. I'm hoping this is from the fear stage (which I googled and seems to fit his behavior). Anyway, thanks for mentioning it-I was really beginning to be concerned.
I'm glad you put this out today, I've been doing this with my dog, looks like Luna, she's also a German Shepherd and is also afraid of everything and is anxious. I wasn't sure if I was doing it right but Im seeing you walk luna and it encouraged me to keep doing what I was doing . Thank you for this video really helpful.😊
Thank you for explaining just stopping and letting the dog take in the world on the loose leash! My dogs are much more calm sitting still looking at the other dog instead of trying to get them to keep walking. Joel you are a rare gem! 🐾❤️
Some really helpful stuff in here for my pup turning 1 year old shortly. He gets weird little fearful bouts with skateboarders, cars on dirt roads, etc. Thanks!
This is a great video to watch to illustrate fear reactivity, our 7 month old female GSD is exactly the same way at the minute as the fear has kicked in an its like she is seeing everything differently! We keep taking her out an just letting her experience things at her pace but she will still freak out to most other dogs.We went on a pack walk at the weekend though with 35 other GSD's which she did fantastic on, even managed to get her to a point where she played with another dog. Which is the first time that she has done other than with our older male GSD
You really give me hope that I can learn to help my Aussie. He had a bad experience with a large dog at 5 months ( was trying to play with my dog but essentially ended up feeling like he was being chased by a bear) and ever since he is so scared of dogs. Thank you so much
This is great, my dog experiences the same kind of FEAR reactivity we are working on. I haven't seen anybody do videos on it, its great to learn and distinguish from such a different case.
Your videos are just so detailed and awesome. Most trainers just give a gist of how it is done when I watch any RUclips videos. But yours are so detailed keep it up. And best part your methods work. Just loving it.
This helped so much! I know my little one is slightly anxious, but it never came to my mind, not to be hardcore with corrections, especially with the correction of him, just exploring. Thanks a lot for the free insights you'Re giving to this community!
This is the video I've been looking for ages for. Very few videos outline fear-based reactivity towards dogs on a leash (and I'm so grateful you did this with a female GSD). I have this exact same issue with my now 13 month old GSD, but she's been fearful and a submissive around dogs from 4months to now. Huge improvements from then to now - I always get discouraged when she does her GSD barks out of fear, but I need to step back and look at all the progress that's been made. This takes time effort, and a lot of patience on the owners part, but this video is helping me not to get discouraged just give my girl some time to desensitize to the world.
I love your training methods, straight to the point, no-nonsense. I have a 3 year old German Shepherd who is leash reactive but it’s a work in progress for us both. We were attacked by a pit bull a little over a year ago and now him and I both have some PTSD when seeing other large dogs on our walks. Thank you for your content!! I am using your methods all the way in Texas!
Thank you SO much for this video it is the one I needed to support my 9 month old rescue, your explanation of why and how is spot on. You have shown me that I am doing the right thing with her and how to progress,she seems to be very much like Luna. More of this sort please x
Luna is just like our boy so this was really helpful. He is 4 but before coming to us a year ago, he hardly saw the outside world so everything and everyone is scary for him. Seen a great improvement to last year but understanding his nervousness more really helps and must master the butt flip!
This is totally our dog, Wyatt. We got him at about 8 months and he's a little over a year now. He was a rescue and was on the street as a pup, in a shelter from about 6 months prior, and was scared of people and dogs when we first got him. He used to pull like crazy from being scared and anxious but now with time, more walks, socialization, and these few tips he's come a long way and is about at the speed of this dog now. I let him lead like that most of the time because he's most comfortable there and will not pull but will walk slowly and check in every now and then. Luna's reactions reminds me a lot of him and I can only see him getting better.
This is an awesome video! I've never seen a session like this before. My GSD is nervous / territorial around other dogs especially in my neighborhood and this demo really helped me see where I should correct, and where to help guide her through her anxiety. I've definitely been too harsh and not balanced enough. Thank you, Joel.
Thank you! I have a 9 month old dog and his leash reactivity could be a mix of things, thanks for giving me a plan for how to work with whatever portion of it that might be based in fear. It's always helpful to have examples for how to work with "softer" dogs too. Thank you!
Oh my goodness this is exactly what I have been needing!! Thank thank thank you!! I have been working with my shepard dog since I rescued him from being lost way up a mountain side in the prickle bushes. He amazed me from the first instance by following the sound of my voice to find his way out. I thought, I got a smart one here!! Fast forward to now at 7 months he knows the basics but two things.. being in the mountains he just wants to smell everything as the scents of nature is so very intriguing (can't blame him, we all love it too) so that means pulling on the leash. I have been training that but this your method speaks to me... I will start first thing in the morning for our walk.. My goal is to be able to walk him off leash and have him come everytime I call no matter what!! I feel enormously lucky to have found you. Thank you for doing this amazing video!! Bless up
She’s so stinkin cute! I feel for these scared dogs… I’ve never had a dog go through a fear period or be anxious. Maybe a little ADHD lol, but not nervous or scared. Ur awesome Joel, how you know to be understanding with scaredy dogs🥺💕
I have a 4 year old leash reactive Dutch shepherd. He has been to training a couple of different times but still reactive to other dogs. Yesterday and today I loose leashed walked him, following your methods, and he stayed by my side 2 of the 3 times we were near other dogs. I’m thrilled! Thanks so much for your videos. We both needed your insight and training methods. I hope to take him hiking with me again.
Your videos are so educational. You are well spoken when trying to get your key points across. I appreciate how you stress and repeat key corrections to dogs specific issues. Also like addressing the common problems expected during age ranges and the intensity of correction required. Any hope or suggestions for training older dogs?
Great video. I have an amstaff that is the same way. He’s 9mo now and gets nervous and anxious on walks specially when he sees other dogs. This helps. Thanks you. Hope you can make more of these.
I’ve been utilizing several of your methods. Especially the exiting the house. This has helped tremendously. She was fearful as she as not exposed to anything for over 6 yrs. But she still flips out at other dogs.
I have been using your method with my young pits anxiety and reactive. It’s is working! I’ve tried so many things. I can tell it’s not a one and done thing so we work at it a lot now but I’m enjoying walk more now
I have to admit that the more that I watch your stuff, the more I respect and admire your insight. This is yet another vid of yours that reinforces that thought. Just to put it in perspective, I am 100% of the positive reinforcement "camp" and totally against aversive (or balanced / integrated or whatever the latest terminology may be). That does not stop me realising that each "camp" can still learn a lot from each other and where we can touch bases is that the majority of us want what is best for the dog so that it can have a happy and successful life.
Another great video here. I might be doing too many corrections when my fear reactive dog has a reactive episode. My next goal is getting doing the knee thing and seeing how she responds. Thanks Joel!
Joel your stopping pulling by having them calm down in the house and not letting them bolt out the door and standing back and side popping the leash was the BIGGEST help to my Aussie I had even got him a prong collar and he would still leave me. It wasn't until I tried this method of yours about a month ago that I saw a difference. Thank you so much ❤
Thank you so much for this video. My new rescue dog is like this. I know he is not aggressive despite his report which would suggest otherwise. Like this dog he has had no opportunity to socialise or learn. I love this channel! So much common sense about how to manage our dogs so they are safe to be around other people and dogs. My dog learns quickly but has selective hearing and the constant feeding of treats just won't work. These are such effective, realistic and achievable methods. Thanks and please keep doing these fantastic videos.
Thank you for this video, this totally answered my question about “what if another dog is barking at your leash reactive dog?” We are not finding dogs so nice as the one you found. Thank you again!
Great example Joel!! Interesting to see…my young dog is very bossy but (fortunately I suppose!) foe wildly friendly play and attention, not fear or aggression. So it’s good to see how your methods for handling varies for a case that’s not straight aggression!
I hadn't heard this before, but sort of figured this out on my own. So I like hearing this as it reinforces my dog paying attention to me and encouraging him to manage his energy.
Absolutely awesome video. Honestly. I'm won over. Explains what's happening, explains what to do. Directly cuts to the chase. I'm assuming no different than what a pack of dogs would do if they were over it.
.....This video changed my life man!! After watching this video, I used all of these methods before walking my high energetic stubborn huskador. When I say night and day opposed to what he was used to!!!...I mean my arm doesn't hurt anymore from walking him, and I feel much more in control now. What really helped me was seeing Joel retrain a regular dog owner having the same issues as most have. I mean these methods are 15 mins old to me and we still have some ways to go, but at least I know that I'm not training 4 legged son the wrong way. Big ups Joel!!
THIS!! THIS here is EVERYTHING!!! What I think would be helpful for people is also highlighting the dogs body language that let you know how she was doing. EG.Hair standing up (which you mentioned), ears back, rear of mouth panting (that’s just what I saw on her) A truly excellent video, excited to try some of these tips so my dog is more comfortable.
I have two 9 month old husky girls, one is overly confident on her walks in which I struggle when she pulls and the other is a little more timid and has trouble socializing with people and dogs, as much as I wanna put them under training I can't afford for it at the moment but I have been using some of your methods and has help a little along the way.
Ok so my Luna looks exactly, I mean exactly like this dog. She was fearful too about 10-12 months. She is much better now (with me, but hubby still hasn’t figured he’s the boss of her). Luna is now 16 months old. I use your technique when we go out the door. Works wonders. She is also hardheaded and liked to blow me off when I would tell her to come. Started using your technique of going to get her and bringing her back to where I want her to be. After a couple of times she “felt the energy” in my arm and figured I was nit playing. Not completely fixed but on her way to being a great dog. Thanks for the tips.
we have one leash reactive (too excitable, some guarding) and one fear reactive who we adopted a month ago. He can play with other dogs, but is a bit of a nervous Nellie at times. He def feeds off the reactivity of our other dog, so I’m actively working with that one (while he walks loose leash, he wasn’t always checking in, which meant he’d lunge & not pay any attention to us when seeing a dog) using your quick pop method which is working great, thank you. And I’m actively working the same with the other (though not quite as strict, since he’s more fear, just want to make sure he understands he needs to pay attention to me so he doesn’t get into danger like the street..he’s learning fast!). I do have to walk them separately for now, or they feed off each other’s energy & reactivity & it’s like I’ve got 2 sled dogs. The hardest part is our newer dog is 60 pounds and I can barely hold onto him if he lunges, so getting this stuff sorted is top priority
Great dog to be used as an example. 6:00-such good leash advice I have to remind myself on daily. Btw my 11 month old dog is doing so well thanks for all the helpful videos!
Excellent video, this is my GSD exactly. She is so worried and intently looking at every little thing/sound. She has been like it since a pup. She is 5 months now. Just have to be so patient. I always wonder if I should just let her sit and watch. I did at first then stopped doing after reading some other info about trying to make other things nothing. But it is they need to watch and see it’s not a problem . Also she likes to go in front a lot and I have felt I can’t sort that while she is in a heightened state. She won’t even barely take a treat or look at me when out, it’s gradually getting better tho 👍
Животные
I have been practicing all of your methods with my two pits. Today I called "Josie Come!" In the backyard. Josie, who is fence and leash reactive, started to come to me. Suddenly a little dog barked, not far away. Seriously her whole body jolted like an electric shock when that dog barked. She turned her head, but continued to come to me. Absolutely amazing. She got a lot of love at the finish of that recall. Your methods (and I'll give myself some credit for time and effort) are literally changing our lives for the better!
👍👍👍👍
Great to hear- similar experience here. I used to describe it as an electric charge that would run through him upon hearing another dog bark. From that point on I would basically have no control over him because he would launch into full tactical alert. In six months he has gotten so much better- he still looks around but he doesn't go out of control anymore like before.
Many, many congrats ... you can relax and really enjoy your dog.... very proud moment 👏 ❤ 😊
Give yourself all the credit you deserve! You're doing the work. 👍
Of course, Joel helped a bit. 😊
I know! Isn’t it amazing? I had never had a dog from a puppy and I pretty much adopted 1plus yr old pups that luckily seemed pre-trained… at least good enough for me… I always thought that being extremely well trained took a long time and required a trainer whom I’d have to pay thousands of dollars to, I did hire trainers for each of my 5 pups ( one passed so I have 4 now) when a specific issue would arise, and it worked, but I didn’t gain the confidence or learn any techniques that I thought I could do. With Joel’s techniques I can now get all four pups to sit and wait while the door is open, the. Sit at the gate open till I tell them to go. They used to just bolt out the door, jump up onto the fence gate and go crazy running up to the car…. It took me three days, actually on the third day all I had to do was start the hand motion to back up and they scrambled to do that! And I could open the door and they didn’t move… it blew my mind! And the gentle leader for my collie… wow… that was a miracle to say the least. It’s so much more fun, and I loved running or walking my dogs anyway, but that edge of stress that I didn’t feel completely in control is gone… the other day at the dog park someone even said “wow, your pups won’t take their eyes off you!” I had come running down a hill to the river and instead of running into the river, they stopped with me until I told them to go… that they did all by themselves… I never made them stop before. Crazy smart… I can feel how happy you are in your comment… and I ditto that feeling😊
Your "pause at the door" method really helped us today. Our front door was left open by mistake and our 2 huskies that were trained to pause at the front door did NOT bolt out. They just stood there looking out. Your methods really work. Need to work on our Golden though - she merrily walked out. THANK YOU.
Your comment made me chuckle 😆
Great visual- the huskies waited and the Golden sauntered out! Good job 👍
Golden merrily says yay open door! See ya!
I wish my two huskies would do that. I shall start practicing.👍
This was a great example of balanced training, especially with a dog that's not yet an adult. I haven't seen a demonstration quite like this, in any of your videos thus far!!!
Love this video! My dog is definitely a better dog when we walk....still reactive to other dogs but not as bad as before :) I also talked to my dog just like Joel when he did good thing on leash...I know a lot of people on the streets did look at me like "what up with this woman?!" But I don't care! I want my dog to be a good dog!!!!!
I also do the same talk to my dog! This is cool thing, my friend!
Oh my gosh! This is so helpful! My Catahoula is eleven months old I'm dealing with exactly this. I have been to harsh, too exact, I will back off a bit. Seeing how you deal with an outburst and work to get things relaxed and let the dog decompress after is so very helpful. I see also that, for now, I need to set up for success and not get in situations where our proximity is too close to start, to work up closer. This will help my fearful girl. Thanks.
This video is so helpful for working on fear reactivity with my dog. With your methods we went from intense reactivity to peaceful walks with no reactions in just a couple weeks! Thanks Joel! It would be so great to hear your advice for fence reactivity as well.
Other than having a flawless 100% recall, I would love to hear Joel's advice on fence reactivity!
People, stop wasting your time and just follow what Joel is saying to help you, help your dogs. This guy has got dogs figured out. I like all his recommendations mostly “loose leash walking”! I have been using a lot of his techniques before I saw Joel on RUclips, his techniques WORK!
There is nothing worse than a misbehaving dog, or child…. Dogs are like kids, they want to see how much they can “get away” with, before they are corrected. If I communicate effectively with my 65 mix breed, he knows what’s expected of him and 95% of the time is great. Thanks Joel!
This vid helps me SO much. I need to stay sensitive to the fear period
that my 9-month GSD is in. She is like Luna, slightly nervous, on "alert"
all the time, to everything within 360 degrees of all of her senses.
"This dog needs latitude." I so needed to hear that, and will remember it.
Thank you.
One of the bestest videos so far in my opinion! You are simply a master in reading the needs of the individual dogs! 👏👏👏 Brilliant! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I so love and look forward to your videos! I feel like I am in school learning how to be the best owner to my pup! Thank you for continuing to post!
This looks exactly like my dog’s behaviour. Thank you! I was trying to figure it out.. this sheds some light.
Totally! When you’re talking about how you want to let dogs out are more that are nervous & explore a little more that is spot on! It’s like that was horses to. You want a horse that is inquisitive, curious and thinking. You DON’T want a horse that is scared, nervous, being micromanaged by there human and and fight, flight or freeze mode. You want to encourage the curiosity.
Really helpful with fear/anxious mixed in w/ reactivity. More please:)
Oh how I wish I had found your channel when our boy was young!!! Our boy is so frantic 😔. He was bitten by 2 dogs (at 9 and 15 weeks, the first time by a dog on a retractable lead and the owner wasn't paying attention coming around a corner and the 2nd time a dog busted out a front door around some kids). I'm taking in as much information as I can from you about dogs with fear issues!!! Thank you for sharing!!!!
Your methods are amazing. You changed the way I think about my dog. Unfortunately I fell into FF emotional manipulation and lost precious time of development of my dog tiptoeing around him and created stupid issues along the way aka dog reactivity. With your leash walking technique I got my dog to think before he reacts. Now I’m onto letting him meet as many random dogs as possible. He gets more and more comfortable and confident, his reactivity turned into curiosity and desire to experience and discover things. He has no problem with passing dogs going crazy at the fence. We still struggle with passing dogs on a walk on a narrow pavement, but getting there. Thanks to so many of Joel’s videos I know where the problem is - my mistakes.
To all that are not sure about this. It ain’t looking pretty at first, but it’s worth it. It looks like the dog is on the ride to the worst trauma ever, but it’s not. That’s how dogs work
@ Ewa Starosta great comment!
More videos like this would be great. My dog has huge fear leash reactivity. Just the sight of another dog 50m away, or walking near a house where she knows a dog lives, and all the fur on her back stands up. If the other dog ignores her she's fine. If the dog looks at her she'll start trying to strain on the leash. If the other dog barks or tries to get to her she lunges. I've been having a lot of good progress with the 'stopping and decompressing' stuff you talked about. Sometimes her fur just stands up for no apparent reason and as soon as it does everything goes out the window and it's like she forgets I'm even there. She starts darting across the path, pulling to get to stuff she wants to sniff. Then we stop, I calm her, and she's a totally different dog afterwards. It's really hard to snap her out of the fear when another dog is around and as soon as she gets into that state all the training goes out the window. I've been trying the leash 'pop' correction you've explained but it's hard and feels cruel because she wants to listen to me, she's great at home, very responsive, listens to every command, but when she gets into that fear place it's all over. It feels like on top of being terrified I'm just adding stress to her with the corrections. She's a 30kg Bull Arab so definitely need to get these behaviors under control.
Just think of the leash pop as a help for your dog to focus on you.
Instead of shouting like with a child a dog needs non-verbal cues.
@@FutureChaosTV this: a leash pop is like a non verbal "hey! Pay attention!" to your dog. You're not hurting them, only startling.
I wouldn’t have believed it if I didn’t do it see it for myself. My 35 lb border collie who I run with three other pups is like a Mac truck… I swear she could win any tractor pulling contest. She ignores other dogs while running because she is so so so focused on running as fast as possible…. She would wear a “no pull” harness which was a joke except she wouldn’t choke herself out… I used the gentle leader today… and except for having a little adjustment on my part, she was patient.. struggled a bit but was more interested in the hot dog bits… I did the loose walk and if she “hit the end of the leash” I corrected and turned…that took me a minute, but she got it! She got it… after the couple of corrections she was looking at me rather than the world she wanted to get to… walked beside or behind me consistently for 20 minutes or so… did sit stay commands in a corner with eyes glued to me… I feel like it’s a dream! And that it was just her joking with me … I’ll work with her alone for the next week walking and running and then add the other pups for a run..we have only been doing off leash at the dog park because I was afraid to be pulled down… by a 35lb pup! She is that strong…I live in walking distance and would run just praying that I didn’t trip… “ I’d get looks from EVERYONE!” “ who’s running who?” I’d hear… I know this is long but I am amazed! I’m working with a behaviorist for my “household dog” aggression from my cattle pup. That’s going well and I have applied your “I’m the boss” attitude without letting my emotions get in the way. I am learning to trust my pups that they can and want to do “the right thing”! Thanks so much!!!
@Trix On Life 👏👏Congratulations! Good work ✨
This is the most useful video for me personally. I have a fear reactive St. Pyrenees who is reactive on leash. I have found that I need to be softer and that the best thing is to set him up to realize what he is scared of isn't actually scary. After that he is fine. The funniest reaction I've had is barking at an empty bag of McDonald's 🤣
Great video. I still have a tough time with leash reactivity from nervousness/anxiety and it feels embarrassing when we're in public. We keep working on it using your methods and we've had successes, but this morning I had some smug dog owner with an off-leash dog who had 'perfect' behaviour criticize my dog and my lack of training ... what a horrible experience. I deeply empathize with people who choose 'off times' so they never have to walk their dogs around other dogs or people...
So I have a 6 month old dog and we adopted him at 2 months and some change at the end of Dec last year. Foster did amazing, had him crate trained and potty trained as well as socialized with dogs. We're thinking there's a mix with German shepherd, malinois, and collie. He's incredibly smart. We can go through home depot, home good, Michael's, and petsmart. He does great in all of those places. However one thing I've noticed is more of the fear like in this video. I actually have been working with him doing very short block or two walks just to set us up for success. I watched this, went and grabbed the leash and did a few corrections on our block. I realized I needed to go slower and give him more time. He's very food motivated but I had to hardly drop any food with your method.
Such great modeling and sharing nuances and reasoning! I always appreciate how you show and offer how to customize the training to and for the dog. I like that you talked about letting the dog acclimate and assess. Thanks and heaps of best wishes!
GSD are very alert to their surroundings and extremely smart which makes them great SAR dogs. I like your butt tap move and the long lead.
Thank you for mentioning her fear stage. I had never heard of that! My 12 month old pitbull/lab mix suddenly began to stop two houses down during our walk and refuses to go any further. If I try to make him, he lies down and shows fear. So we start home and he runs home like a madman. He also seems afraid to retrieve his toys when I throw them in the kitchen. He just won't do it. I'm hoping this is from the fear stage (which I googled and seems to fit his behavior). Anyway, thanks for mentioning it-I was really beginning to be concerned.
Yeahhh.....between 7-12 months, your dog is basically an awkward weird teenager going through all kinds of weird changes...
@@Infoseek777 Silly pooch!
Everyone is his favorite person
Love watching you and your training.
I'm glad you put this out today, I've been doing this with my dog, looks like Luna, she's also a German Shepherd and is also afraid of everything and is anxious. I wasn't sure if I was doing it right but Im seeing you walk luna and it encouraged me to keep doing what I was doing . Thank you for this video really helpful.😊
I learn from your videos every day. Thank you Joel!
Another amazing video! Thanks Joel🐾❤️🐾
So much value in just one video thank you, you’re doing a great service for people out here
This was a good one for the younger dog and fear periods. 👏🏻
One of your best videos Joel, thanks for sharing!
Thank you for explaining just stopping and letting the dog take in the world on the loose leash! My dogs are much more calm sitting still looking at the other dog instead of trying to get them to keep walking. Joel you are a rare gem! 🐾❤️
Thanks for posting. She's the same of my 6 month Border Collie.
Omg- I sound just like that with my dog meeting new dogs. ‘That’s your friend!’ , ‘he’s so good!’ With that puppy voice! Lol
I liked what you said about the nervous system. Very helpful.
Some really helpful stuff in here for my pup turning 1 year old shortly. He gets weird little fearful bouts with skateboarders, cars on dirt roads, etc. Thanks!
This channel is growing so rapidly!
Makes me happy 😊
If he is on that same walk again and he says he doesn't remember that dogs name.
Carly wrote: It's Chester! Lol
@@User7688.--_ haha lol ikr!!?? 😆😂
He cracks me up
One of your best vids 🤩 Thanks a lot 🙏🏻
I sure wish I had your training 6 dogs ago....... Thanks again and again.
Great to see this - learning so much from your videos - thank you!
This is a great video to watch to illustrate fear reactivity, our 7 month old female GSD is exactly the same way at the minute as the fear has kicked in an its like she is seeing everything differently! We keep taking her out an just letting her experience things at her pace but she will still freak out to most other dogs.We went on a pack walk at the weekend though with 35 other GSD's which she did fantastic on, even managed to get her to a point where she played with another dog. Which is the first time that she has done other than with our older male GSD
You really give me hope that I can learn to help my Aussie. He had a bad experience with a large dog at 5 months ( was trying to play with my dog but essentially ended up feeling like he was being chased by a bear) and ever since he is so scared of dogs. Thank you so much
Thank you for another really good video. I can’t wait to try this with my dog and dealing with random dogs behind fences in our neighborhood
Really impressive work Joel. I so wish I had your videos to help me when I got my dog 12 years ago. He would have been so much more settled.
Thank you! This is just what we need right now. 😊 So grateful for your insights and methods.
Amazing. You are changing my life with my dogs. Thank you.
This is the perfect video for me.
My dogs only 6 months and does exactly this. Thank you for emphasizing patience w my nervous/fearful dog
Awwww excellent video Joel. Im at this stage and the orientation thoughts are brilliant, Thankyou.
Really enjoy this video!! It’s real and practical!! Thank you!!
This is great, my dog experiences the same kind of FEAR reactivity we are working on. I haven't seen anybody do videos on it, its great to learn and distinguish from such a different case.
Your videos are just so detailed and awesome. Most trainers just give a gist of how it is done when I watch any RUclips videos. But yours are so detailed keep it up. And best part your methods work. Just loving it.
This helped so much! I know my little one is slightly anxious, but it never came to my mind, not to be hardcore with corrections, especially with the correction of him, just exploring. Thanks a lot for the free insights you'Re giving to this community!
This is the video I've been looking for ages for. Very few videos outline fear-based reactivity towards dogs on a leash (and I'm so grateful you did this with a female GSD). I have this exact same issue with my now 13 month old GSD, but she's been fearful and a submissive around dogs from 4months to now. Huge improvements from then to now - I always get discouraged when she does her GSD barks out of fear, but I need to step back and look at all the progress that's been made. This takes time effort, and a lot of patience on the owners part, but this video is helping me not to get discouraged just give my girl some time to desensitize to the world.
I love your training methods, straight to the point, no-nonsense.
I have a 3 year old German Shepherd who is leash reactive but it’s a work in progress for us both. We were attacked by a pit bull a little over a year ago and now him and I both have some PTSD when seeing other large dogs on our walks.
Thank you for your content!! I am using your methods all the way in Texas!
You’re just amazing man
Thank you SO much for this video it is the one I needed to support my 9 month old rescue, your explanation of why and how is spot on. You have shown me that I am doing the right thing with her and how to progress,she seems to be very much like Luna. More of this sort please x
Luna is just like our boy so this was really helpful. He is 4 but before coming to us a year ago, he hardly saw the outside world so everything and everyone is scary for him. Seen a great improvement to last year but understanding his nervousness more really helps and must master the butt flip!
This is totally our dog, Wyatt. We got him at about 8 months and he's a little over a year now. He was a rescue and was on the street as a pup, in a shelter from about 6 months prior, and was scared of people and dogs when we first got him. He used to pull like crazy from being scared and anxious but now with time, more walks, socialization, and these few tips he's come a long way and is about at the speed of this dog now. I let him lead like that most of the time because he's most comfortable there and will not pull but will walk slowly and check in every now and then. Luna's reactions reminds me a lot of him and I can only see him getting better.
This is an awesome video! I've never seen a session like this before. My GSD is nervous / territorial around other dogs especially in my neighborhood and this demo really helped me see where I should correct, and where to help guide her through her anxiety. I've definitely been too harsh and not balanced enough. Thank you, Joel.
Me tooo! The main things I always learn is to have more patience. It's work. It's to set everyone up for success
Thank you! I have a 9 month old dog and his leash reactivity could be a mix of things, thanks for giving me a plan for how to work with whatever portion of it that might be based in fear. It's always helpful to have examples for how to work with "softer" dogs too. Thank you!
Oh my goodness this is exactly what I have been needing!! Thank thank thank you!! I have been working with my shepard dog since I rescued him from being lost way up a mountain side in the prickle bushes. He amazed me from the first instance by following the sound of my voice to find his way out. I thought, I got a smart one here!! Fast forward to now at 7 months he knows the basics but two things.. being in the mountains he just wants to smell everything as the scents of nature is so very intriguing (can't blame him, we all love it too) so that means pulling on the leash. I have been training that but this your method speaks to me... I will start first thing in the morning for our walk.. My goal is to be able to walk him off leash and have him come everytime I call no matter what!! I feel enormously lucky to have found you. Thank you for doing this amazing video!! Bless up
She’s so stinkin cute! I feel for these scared dogs… I’ve never had a dog go through a fear period or be anxious. Maybe a little ADHD lol, but not nervous or scared. Ur awesome Joel, how you know to be understanding with scaredy dogs🥺💕
I have a 4 year old leash reactive Dutch shepherd. He has been to training a couple of different times but still reactive to other dogs. Yesterday and today I loose leashed walked him, following your methods, and he stayed by my side 2 of the 3 times we were near other dogs. I’m thrilled! Thanks so much for your videos. We both needed your insight and training methods. I hope to take him hiking with me again.
Your videos are so educational. You are well spoken when trying to get your key points across. I appreciate how you stress and repeat key corrections to dogs specific issues. Also like addressing the common problems expected during age ranges and the intensity of correction required.
Any hope or suggestions for training older dogs?
Great video. I have an amstaff that is the same way. He’s 9mo now and gets nervous and anxious on walks specially when he sees other dogs. This helps. Thanks you. Hope you can make more of these.
Amazing. Thank you.
Did all that good stuff, Joel!
This was helpful. Thank you.
I’ve been utilizing several of your methods. Especially the exiting the house. This has helped tremendously. She was fearful as she as not exposed to anything for over 6 yrs. But she still flips out at other dogs.
I have been using your method with my young pits anxiety and reactive. It’s is working! I’ve tried so many things. I can tell it’s not a one and done thing so we work at it a lot now but I’m enjoying walk more now
I have to admit that the more that I watch your stuff, the more I respect and admire your insight. This is yet another vid of yours that reinforces that thought. Just to put it in perspective, I am 100% of the positive reinforcement "camp" and totally against aversive (or balanced / integrated or whatever the latest terminology may be). That does not stop me realising that each "camp" can still learn a lot from each other and where we can touch bases is that the majority of us want what is best for the dog so that it can have a happy and successful life.
Another great video here. I might be doing too many corrections when my fear reactive dog has a reactive episode. My next goal is getting doing the knee thing and seeing how she responds. Thanks Joel!
I have a female GSD just like that and in the same age... good exercises!
Joel your stopping pulling by having them calm down in the house and not letting them bolt out the door and standing back and side popping the leash was the BIGGEST help to my Aussie I had even got him a prong collar and he would still leave me. It wasn't until I tried this method of yours about a month ago that I saw a difference. Thank you so much ❤
Thank you so much for this video. My new rescue dog is like this. I know he is not aggressive despite his report which would suggest otherwise. Like this dog he has had no opportunity to socialise or learn. I love this channel! So much common sense about how to manage our dogs so they are safe to be around other people and dogs. My dog learns quickly but has selective hearing and the constant feeding of treats just won't work. These are such effective, realistic and achievable methods. Thanks and please keep doing these fantastic videos.
Love the videos so informative thank you
Thank you for this video, this totally answered my question about “what if another dog is barking at your leash reactive dog?” We are not finding dogs so nice as the one you found. Thank you again!
Great example Joel!! Interesting to see…my young dog is very bossy but (fortunately I suppose!) foe wildly friendly play and attention, not fear or aggression. So it’s good to see how your methods for handling varies for a case that’s not straight aggression!
I hadn't heard this before, but sort of figured this out on my own. So I like hearing this as it reinforces my dog paying attention to me and encouraging him to manage his energy.
I actually find it's worse with a GSD as they are hyper alert.
Awesome video.
Could we please have more of this and the different aspects/techniques of fear reactivity?
Always great training tips
love your content! learning a lot. we have a 3 month old GS. You should do some videos on young puppy walks. 😊
Absolutely awesome video.
Honestly. I'm won over.
Explains what's happening, explains what to do. Directly cuts to the chase. I'm assuming no different than what a pack of dogs would do if they were over it.
.....This video changed my life man!! After watching this video, I used all of these methods before walking my high energetic stubborn huskador. When I say night and day opposed to what he was used to!!!...I mean my arm doesn't hurt anymore from walking him, and I feel much more in control now.
What really helped me was seeing Joel retrain a regular dog owner having the same issues as most have. I mean these methods are 15 mins old to me and we still have some ways to go, but at least I know that I'm not training 4 legged son the wrong way. Big ups Joel!!
The beginning of the walk raises concerns on the energy, the daily practice and routine of the owners... Good luck to them.
Loved this video
THIS!! THIS here is EVERYTHING!!!
What I think would be helpful for people is also highlighting the dogs body language that let you know how she was doing.
EG.Hair standing up (which you mentioned), ears back, rear of mouth panting (that’s just what I saw on her)
A truly excellent video, excited to try some of these tips so my dog is more comfortable.
I have two German shepherds. My two-year-old male is just like Luna so this video is great for me
Thank you very much for the video. I wonder if it would be beneficial to treat the dog when she is in a relaxed state around her fear triggers.
I have two 9 month old husky girls, one is overly confident on her walks in which I struggle when she pulls and the other is a little more timid and has trouble socializing with people and dogs, as much as I wanna put them under training I can't afford for it at the moment but I have been using some of your methods and has help a little along the way.
Ok so my Luna looks exactly, I mean exactly like this dog. She was fearful too about 10-12 months. She is much better now (with me, but hubby still hasn’t figured he’s the boss of her). Luna is now 16 months old. I use your technique when we go out the door. Works wonders. She is also hardheaded and liked to blow me off when I would tell her to come. Started using your technique of going to get her and bringing her back to where I want her to be. After a couple of times she “felt the energy” in my arm and figured I was nit playing. Not completely fixed but on her way to being a great dog. Thanks for the tips.
Great video. Please show more videos about the 'Fear Stage'. You can't really find stuff like that anywhere. Please!
Great vid. The knee correction (the butt flip). how do you do that with small dogs?
Thanks Joel, great video. How do you do the butt bump move with a smaller (below the knee) sized dog? Cocker spaniel height
we have one leash reactive (too excitable, some guarding) and one fear reactive who we adopted a month ago. He can play with other dogs, but is a bit of a nervous Nellie at times. He def feeds off the reactivity of our other dog, so I’m actively working with that one (while he walks loose leash, he wasn’t always checking in, which meant he’d lunge & not pay any attention to us when seeing a dog) using your quick pop method which is working great, thank you. And I’m actively working the same with the other (though not quite as strict, since he’s more fear, just want to make sure he understands he needs to pay attention to me so he doesn’t get into danger like the street..he’s learning fast!). I do have to walk them separately for now, or they feed off each other’s energy & reactivity & it’s like I’ve got 2 sled dogs. The hardest part is our newer dog is 60 pounds and I can barely hold onto him if he lunges, so getting this stuff sorted is top priority
You're awesome! Thank you for all you do!
Great dog to be used as an example.
6:00-such good leash advice I have to remind myself on daily.
Btw my 11 month old dog is doing so well thanks for all the helpful videos!
What you just did is something my trainer calls "stress innoculation." Very effective.
Excellent video, this is my GSD exactly. She is so worried and intently looking at every little thing/sound. She has been like it since a pup. She is 5 months now. Just have to be so patient. I always wonder if I should just let her sit and watch. I did at first then stopped doing after reading some other info about trying to make other things nothing. But it is they need to watch and see it’s not a problem . Also she likes to go in front a lot and I have felt I can’t sort that while she is in a heightened state. She won’t even barely take a treat or look at me when out, it’s gradually getting better tho 👍