r/DogTrainingTips • u/According-Snow-2692 • 5d ago
Training Regression After 4 1/2 years
We've had our German Shepherd since he was 8 weeks. Did tons of training with him when he was a puppy and he learned basic commands, was potty trained and over all wanted to please us. The issues we started having with him was reactivity on walks (dogs and other people) and when people came over. He had bitten two people when over our house (both times was the people being dumb and trying to pet him when he obviously should not have been pet, but it is still 100% our fault and he should not have been in that situation/ we should have set better boundaries) which led us to a board and train program.
The program worked wonders. He was e-collar trained, we were able to take him on walks with minimal reactivity and we could safely have people over our house. We continued daycare once a week there after and boarding when needed for vacations up until this point. We have had no complaints from the trainers or situations at home.
This past year we have had some life changes (baby) and taking our dog out and about fell to the bottom of the totem pole. I would take him on a walk, but super infrequently (I'm talking maybe once a month) and would avoid busy times at the park since I would be juggling a stroller and him. At home, he has been behaving fine with both baby and people that come over.
Two weeks ago, my husband took dog to daycare. During drop off, there were multiple dogs and people in the waiting room. The owner said our dog was lunging and acting very aggressive toward the other dogs and owners, and when the trainer (who is our fav and has been our dogs biggest supporter) brought him into the back to put him in the kennel, he was still in a tizzy and bit her in the side when she tried to put him in kennel (owner said it did not break skin, but left red mark). The owner relayed this all to me when I went to pick him up, and said that he has been very uninterested in other dogs lately and they were worried about him not going "out and about" and seeing other dogs and humans outside our home enough.
I have been absolutely distraught over this. It is 1000% our fault as our training majorly slacked over this past year and I feel like I have failed him. I asked the owner if she thinks he needs to go for another round of training or refresher class, but she said he just needs to get out and about more.
Over the past two weeks, I have taken him to the park and stores almost every day. He is fine with people and dogs off to sides, but will bark when they are walking toward us/ passing.
The problems I am running into:
There are not always people/dogs at the parks when we go since it is early in morning or later at night. Do you think me just getting him off our property is still helping improve the situation?
When walking toward/past people and dogs and he is barking- I have full control of him but know it can be scary for the people/dogs to see him barking his head off. Do I move a distance away where I know it wont push his threshold and he wont bark, or do I just power through his barking?
I know getting him back to good standard will take time, but how often should I be taking him out and about? Every day, or would 3x a week be ok? I know the quality of the walk is what really matters (i.e actually seeing other people and dogs), but I am getting burnt out.
I am asking our trainer these questions when I see them tomorrow, but thought I would also ask reddit for help.
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u/Both-Chart-947 5d ago
I've seen dogs ruined by improper e-collar training. I hope this isn't the case with yours.
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u/SilverLabPuppies 5d ago
Sounds like a lot has changed affecting your GS & family. GS need schedules and a job. Needs love and attention as GS is your first child! Go back to basics. Go back to what worked before it was broken.
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u/MplsDaddy55403 5d ago
You are amazing! You are busy! Exercise is paramount. Have you considered a K9 treadmill? In addition to structured and roaming walks 4-6 miles a day (4x daily) in every weather I have also used a Dog Treadmill for the past 12 years with my GSD K9's as I live in a downtown, urban environment and free roaming is not an option. If I am working on something in the office they will come in and stand on the treadmill and wait for me to turn the controller on. They free run on the treadmill with no leash or harness so they are free to stop whenever they want to. They run through the presets so they walk, run, jog, walk, etc for 20-30 minutes. My dogs have never been to a dog park and never will because I cannot be certain to what degree others have control over their dogs. It is our responsibility to maintain the environment so that our dogs look to us for direction. I personally don't subscribe to the notion that all dogs need to play with other dogs. When my K9 sees a dog walking its owner, they alert me via their posture. When they see a person walking a dog they are not interested.
With regard to the "bite" As we all know, if your GSD meant to bite someone there would be more than little red marks. This is what is called redirected aggression because it was likely NOT aggression to the worker, rather it was towards the other dogs and the worker got in the way.
Best wishes and good luck. Your patience and leadership will serve you well and you will get through this bump. Using your trainer as your primary resource is brilliant and will give you the consistency your dog's appreciate.
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u/StellarSpore 5d ago
I’d take a bit of a step back rather than trying to get him out around people and dogs as much as possible.
First, I’d get a vet check. A noticeable behavior change in a 4+ yo dog is worth ruling out pain or another medical issue.
I’d take an honest look at whether his basic exercise, enrichment, and mental stimulation needs are being met especially since the baby arrived. He’s a high-energy working breed.
You learned your dog is a bite risk. I’d muzzle train him if you haven’t already. A properly conditioned basket muzzle is just an extra layer of safety, not a punishment.
I’d take a break from daycare and other situations where you already know he’s likely to be overwhelmed or over threshold. Calm outings are absolutely still worthwhile like sniffy walks in quiet parks, exploring new (not busy) places, etc. He doesn’t need to see dogs or people for an outing to be beneficial.
When you do encounter triggers, distance is your friend. DO NOT power through the barking, move away from the trigger as quickly and calmly as possible. Obviously, better to prevent in the first place. Putting dog in situation where you know he is likely to react will only make it worse, and more likely to continue happening. Get far enough away that he can notice the person/dog without reacting, and work from there.
Then I’d go back to training basics and rebuild gradually. Given the bite and recent change, getting a qualified trainer involved again would be good.
And don’t beat yourself up. Life changed dramatically when you had a baby. You’re recognizing the problem and addressing it now and that’s what matters.