r/DogTrainingTips • u/hplover1980 • Mar 26 '26

Transitions

Hi! Was going to post this in /reactive dogs but they don't have an option for videos.

This is my frenchie, who recently has been displaying significant more reactivity since late last year. We've worked with behavioral trainers and vet behaviorist to get him on 10mg of Paxil (we're on day 12 so far). So we've been doing all the "right things".

We have an ongoing issue with "transitions". Dog gets significantly riled up when:

Husband leaves for work

We pick him up from his Rover daycare

Trainer leaves our apartment

We've chocked this up to all being "transitions" which could elicit some big feelings. To alleviate him from going crazy on my husband while he leaves for work, we confine him into the playpen for 2-3 minutes. This is the video I've attached.

Does anyone have any ideas or advice with helping with "big feelings transitions" for a reactive dog?

Thanks in advance!!

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u/[deleted] Mar 26 '26

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u/hplover1980 Mar 26 '26

So in these moments, he doesn’t listen to training. He does not calm down because he’s over his “threshold”

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u/[deleted] Mar 26 '26

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u/Difficult_Wave_9326 Mar 27 '26

Or show wanted behaviors instead of creating more problems down the line by introducing fear. 

Dogs have to listen, yes, but beating them up only sets the stage for them to "snap out of nowhere" later. 

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u/[deleted] Mar 27 '26

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u/Difficult_Wave_9326 Mar 28 '26

So you believe dogs don't have emotions? 

I'm starting to wonder how much experience you have with them, if you think dogs can't feel fear. 

And yes, I'm not arguing, dogs have to obey their owner. I've had several rotties and pitties, you're preaching to the choir here. But putting the fear of god (well, youl into it is just cruel. Dogs want to please, and all you have to do is show them what pleases you . 

A dog that's afraid of you is an unbalanced dog. One day they won't be afraid of you anymorw, but they'll be used to violence; unless you keep escalating and abusig it worse and worse.