Why? Honestly.

[MTAussie]

any updates?

[APBTLove]

Yep.

He's doing pretty well, I did expect it to take baby steps so IMO it's well. He's still a bit fearful, but will pass strangers without barking, he just doesn't like them to randomly reach out to him. I do tell people not to offer the treats I hand them until he's relaxed - after about a minute. And most of the neighbors have started tossing him treats when he walks by.

Dogs are still and issue, but we're down to him being okay within 20', unless the dog is being aggressive, or noisy, then he behaves and realizes he's not quite as big as he thinks, oddly enough his stature changes drastically when a dog barks back, his hackles go down, his ears are relaxed, not pinned to his head or strait up, and he looks to me. I tell him it's fine, keep going, and he doesn't look at the dog.

I think he is only acting like a butthead to dogs that are showing submissive signs, because he's gotten the fruit of his efforts before - the dogs jumping back and trying to leave. The old bitches are still the only ones who could care less about him, so he's good with them, but plays too rough and isn't going to be off lead with them, and a senior female shepherd (who sits off lead in her unfenced yard and watches us pass).

Like I've said, I don't give a hoot if he ever likes people or dogs, but he's got to learn how to cope. In this case, I've found that his little screaming dog toy and a small homemade flirt pole work wonders, I don't care if a pack of St. Bernards are walking by, the flirt pole is the best thing on earth to him. He is obviously calmer after I bring it out, because he goes into play mode and forgets the people. I many times get people, especially kids, to use the pole with him.

[JakodaCD OA]

sounds like he is doing GOOD !!! Keep up the good work ))

[APBTLove]

Alrighty, I found a trainer nearby I've been talking to. She said she wants to try him in the small group first since he calms down after he gets over his fear... If he doesn't do well in that group she'll do private.

Keep you guys updated.

[MTAussie]

Cool! Who did you end up choosing as a trainer?

[JakodaCD OA]

great news! Keep us updated!! I think I probably mentioned when I had to deprogram masi (long story) and took her to a different training facility,,for 4 weeks, we sat behind a gate which allowed her to see everything going on,,by the second week, she was napping on the floor!!! young social/calm dogs were coming up to the gate, they'd sniff each other,,then I moved into the big room with her and sat off to the side,,this was invaluable to reworking some early experiences she had with dog reactiveness, and getting jumped by other dogs...Maybe the new trainer will do something like that to get you integrated into the group..

Definately let us know how it goes!