Receiving a message from a client who needs help with a reactive dog often makes me restless. Constantly thinking about how the dog really is, how the household is, their daily routine, the client's mindset, etc. Trying to set hopeful but realistic expectations for myself before I meet them for an initial assessment.
Often times during the meeting, I am faced by a frustrated and saddened family. And often with an opposing opinion on what training methods to use.
I listen to Susan Garrett's (see Tim Ferris', 4-hour Body author, introduction about her) Shaped by Dog Podcast on Spotify on my way to work, and I recently listened to episode #193 about training methods. I very much encourage you to have a listen to this episode. What she said resonates with me so well. There are so many training methods you can use, and will work. But your training philosophy is what you choose to use.
Today I read a Blog- "What does success look like with a reactive dog" by Jay Gurden, a herding dog breed handler. And I've seen the challenges these handlers/canine guardians go through on a daily basis. It can truly be frustrating and will make you feel hopeless.
There are constant adjustments we need to make throughout the program, and one of the things that can help is setting up expectations for others in public too - wearing a visual sign. This is very rarely done here in Hong Kong and often only seen in working dog breeds in training.
A simple, yet very effective way to set yourself and your dog up for success in dealing with unpredictability.
The amount of work, the consistency, the efforts, the planning, the compassion, the PATIENCE needed from the handler for working and helping these dogs is very very admirable. The results? I'll let Jay's blog answer that.
