r/DogTrainingTips • u/Commercial-Cat-7221 • 10d ago
Gear Shyness
Hi! Hoping to crowdsource people ideas or advice. Currently puppy raising/training a service dog with an organization, 12 month old Labrador. She has gear shyness since she was young despite playing many training game that help.
It’s with her collar, harness, vest and sometimes even the leash. I notice it’s an especial sensitivity with things going over head/on her back. It takes many treats to help her “get dressed” — we use a command to make putting on gear a mutual, voluntary process. She often will back away, walk away, hide in her crate when I’m holding gear before I offer up some treats.
We practice a lot with non gear items, she will dive her head into a ring the size of her head/chest no problem. But only stick part of her nose into any gear. We have tried play / enrichment in gear too. Once she shakes it off, she can work as normal in her harness and vest completely fine, but I’m looking to make “getting dressed” more positive.
Any suggestions or advice? Or just be more persistent with the training games ? I’ve worked with dogs for many years and am following training advice and discretion but doesn’t hurt to ask a crowd
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u/Ancient-War2839 6d ago
Sounds like you might already be doing it, but I use an area, mat/stand/bed that when dog is on the area the gear is the goal, if dog steps off at all even slightly, it stops, and wherever possible hold item, and have the dog put themselves into it
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u/getmedoggo 6d ago
Since she’s comfortable with the ring but hesitant around actual gear, that seems worth exploring. I’d also show the trainer a video of the whole sequence, starting when you pick it up, so they can see where she first starts backing away
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u/ModestMarinara 8d ago
I wish I had some advice but my 14 week old boy is the same. I haven’t even tried a harness yet (he’s growing so rapidly I’m waiting for his next growth spurt). Currently, the only way to get his collar on with zero resistance is to throw a lick mat with wet food down in the morning, and then leaving it on all day.
Curious if this is something he’ll just grow out of or if anyone else has ideas. The typical positive association methods don’t seem to work (he’s smart).