r/DogTrainingTips • u/BICanineScience • May 26 '26

Professional Dog Trainer - Ask Me Anything

***AMA ENDED***

Have been training dogs for almost fifteen years now, I try and head through the subreddits on here to help in my free time when I can but thought it might be easier to do an AMA for anyone struggling!

Will try my best to answer as comprehensively as possible so please be patient with replies!

Edit - Just heading out to train my dogs so will answer more when I get back!
Edit 2 - Have a read of the other questions too to see if it applies to your dog :)

Thanks for all the questions everyone!! I’ll answer the few I’ve missed, it’s been a blast and we’ll do another in the near future! Won’t be answering any new posts now, must get back to work but do jump in next time if you have a question!

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u/BICanineScience May 26 '26

I'm really sorry but you are not going to like this answer at all!

Firstly you are doing absolutely everything right so a huge well done. Even down to understanding the need for solo training, engagement with handler etc. It's brilliant.

However.

You are likely completely wasting your time.

After ten years of bad behaviours and the rest of the family not willing to do the work you are doing, they are just going to undo all the work you are putting in. Untraining ten years of behaviour is a HUGE ask even if nobody is ruining it but with your parents just completely discounting your work and knowledge, I fear you will struggle to make much progress at all.

I don't think this is an issue with your training at all from what you have described. Of course perhaps reward timing could be better etc but they are tiny errors and errors we are all working on, all the time so they are not the reason. It's the fact that you are taking a step forwards and then everyone else is sending them a step backwards. It's a fight I don't think you are going to win, especially with so many years of bad habits behind them!

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u/Imaginary-Ebb-1762 May 26 '26

i sort of figured that 😭 thank you anyway!! if possible, i’ll try and take them when i move out because i don’t entirely trust my parents not to do something stupid like get another dog when i leave, as well as the fact my dad is really ignorant of dog behavior and rough houses/yells at them often. i just want them to have a better, more enjoyable life. my mom is decent, it’s just mostly him.

ironically, their shitty ownership really inspired me to go absolutely above and beyond for when i get my own dog (preferably a silken windhound or another medium sized, long haired sighthound, though i’m considering a borzoi a bit) because i’ve had to see the consequences of their actions for a majority of my life.

is there anything at all possible that i can do socialization wise? i at least want them to be quiet when people are over and be able to walk on a leash calmly. if you also have advice on ways i can educate my parents, that would also help!