My experience in dealing with two, large, reactive dogs:
1. Accept that your dog will probably never get along/play with other dogs; work towards tolerance and the ability to ignore other dogs. It's a dog's job to love its family, not other dogs.
2. Go to training sessions; there are plenty for reactive dogs, specifically. Start with posit…
My experience in dealing with two, large, reactive dogs:
1. Accept that your dog will probably never get along/play with other dogs; work towards tolerance and the ability to ignore other dogs. It's a dog's job to love its family, not other dogs.
2. Go to training sessions; there are plenty for reactive dogs, specifically. Start with positive reinforcement (clicker plus treats).
3. Get a well fitted harness (put the leash on the front of the harness, not the back) so that you have control over the dog. If you cannot control the dog then find a trainer to help you fit and understand how to use a gentle leader.
4. Have lots and lots and lots of treats! See a dog in the distance, say `leave it' and then give the pupper lots of treats and praise! Turn around and walk away from the other dog. Eventually, if they're food driven, they'll look to you when they see another dog because they think that means a treat! (This is part of positive reinforcement regimen your trainer will teach you).
5. If your trainer will only practice positive reinforcement, and after months of diligent application you haven't seen improvement, then it's time to find a new trainer. Likely your dog will need a correction-based training routine, possibly a prong collar, and intensive trainer-led sessions (prongs are probably likely only necessary for powerful dogs...I've seen corgis with prongs on and I can't imagine why).
Please, please see a competent trainer before trying to correct your dog on your own, though (e.g., don't just put an e-collar on the dog or use a prong collar without training).
Finally, screaming at a dog doesn't do much but confuse them. You have to train them to associate a word with an action/behavior. Never speak to them in an angry tone but always high pitched and happy. You can say just about anything you want that way (including cursing them, which is a great stress reliever on those tough walks) and they'll take it as encouragement and love.
My experience in dealing with two, large, reactive dogs:
1. Accept that your dog will probably never get along/play with other dogs; work towards tolerance and the ability to ignore other dogs. It's a dog's job to love its family, not other dogs.
2. Go to training sessions; there are plenty for reactive dogs, specifically. Start with positive reinforcement (clicker plus treats).
3. Get a well fitted harness (put the leash on the front of the harness, not the back) so that you have control over the dog. If you cannot control the dog then find a trainer to help you fit and understand how to use a gentle leader.
4. Have lots and lots and lots of treats! See a dog in the distance, say `leave it' and then give the pupper lots of treats and praise! Turn around and walk away from the other dog. Eventually, if they're food driven, they'll look to you when they see another dog because they think that means a treat! (This is part of positive reinforcement regimen your trainer will teach you).
5. If your trainer will only practice positive reinforcement, and after months of diligent application you haven't seen improvement, then it's time to find a new trainer. Likely your dog will need a correction-based training routine, possibly a prong collar, and intensive trainer-led sessions (prongs are probably likely only necessary for powerful dogs...I've seen corgis with prongs on and I can't imagine why).
Please, please see a competent trainer before trying to correct your dog on your own, though (e.g., don't just put an e-collar on the dog or use a prong collar without training).
Finally, screaming at a dog doesn't do much but confuse them. You have to train them to associate a word with an action/behavior. Never speak to them in an angry tone but always high pitched and happy. You can say just about anything you want that way (including cursing them, which is a great stress reliever on those tough walks) and they'll take it as encouragement and love.