Training Recommendations for Timid BC mix

[Guest WoobiesMom]

I've adopted a very timid, poorly socialized but incredibly smart BC/Shepherd mix and am confused about which training method to use. Has anyone dealt with a similar situation that can lend any advice. He's done well here in the house w/clicker training, is improving slowly outside the house (not food/toy motivated while stressed), but will regress quickly if there's any frustration or negativity involved in trying to teach him. I'm very pleased with the progress we've made with the clicker, but have had other dog owners who advocate the more "traditional" methods argue that I'll end up w/a dog that only behaves/listens/obeys if I've got a clicker and a hand full of food available. Finding training classes for this method is harder also. I want to eventually participate in competitive obedience, agility, and flyball. Any advice is much appreciated!

[MaggieDog]

Corrections will NOT help your dog. My girl was severely undersocialized when I adopted her and corrections based methods really did nothing to help the issue, not to mention increasing her reactivity around other dogs. Clicker work is what I attribute our success to - we just completed our 4th year as a therapy dog team in March.

[Kat's Dogs]

Corrections would be bad. Very bad at that stage.

Keep up with the clicker and just make sure everything about life is FUN FUN FUN!!

 

Finding Competition Obedience training without corrections is extremely difficult (agility and flyball not so much). I would try to bring up his confidence as much as you can, then try to find a VERY nice training center and explain everything to them and what you are doing and what the way YOU want the training to go. If it is truly a good training center they would be understanding and change what they do for you (if they use lots of corrections). Maybe a private lesson or two might help also so the instructor would really know your dog.

 

Just be careful if anyone says "no. you need to be firmer with him - like this" and give them the leash. Just don't do that and you should be OK. It is also OK once you are in a class to refuse to train a certain exercises that way.

[quicksilver]

As the owner of a nervous collie who was poorly socialised by his previous owners - definitely keep the training methods positive and kind! Avoid correction, and ignore the idiots who can't think of a better way to teach their own dogs.

 

You're on the right tracks - keep it up.

[Root Beer]

When dealing with a dog with fear issues, you would do best to keep everything as positive as possible.

 

I trained Speedy, who was severely fearful of dogs and people when I started with him, using all positive methods and I don't need a clicker or treats in my hands at all times to get him to do what I want him to do.

 

He has four Rally Titles and a Freestyle title and no clickers are allowed in the ring for either!

 

I will say this, though - with a fearful dog, you might end up more dependent on clicker/treats in the long run than someone who has a dog that is not fearful will. That's OK. You are your dog's advocate. It is your primary job to help him know that he is safe in different situations, to the extent that you can. Some fearful dogs will get to the point where they don't need frequent reassurance, but some will always need it.

 

There is a fantastic book called "Click to Calm" by Emma Parsons. The subtitle is "Healing the Aggressive Dog" - ignore that. The book is perfect to help a dog with any degree of fear issues.

 

I would definitely avoid using training techniques that involve correction with a fearful dog.

[Tassie]

Totally agree with the other posters. Keep up with what you're doing. It is totally possible to have a high level obedience competition dog that is solely positively and/or clicker trained. My 'guru', the English trainer, Mary Ray has only ever rained with food, and lately with clicker, and qualified 3 of her dogs for the Crufts obedience final in England this year, one of her dogs gaining 3rd place.

 

But in any case, is that your ambition for this dog - or is it rather to have a lovely relationship with the dog, and help the dog to build up confidence to enjoy being out in the world with you? If it's the latter, then what does it matter if you have your clicker and treats with you a high percentage of the time?

 

I'd endorse the Click to calm book - lots of good ideas. If you want to go the competitive obedience route, there are several books and videos on how to get there with a clicker.

 

And I'd echo the advice about not giving your dog's lead to a non-positive trainer - ever.

[Guest WoobiesMom]

Thanks everyone! You've just reinforced and echoed what my gut was telling me, I just wanted to make sure since I'm new to the timid dog area. My previous dog, an Airedale terrier was anything but timid. I would like to do the competitions and activities more for the dog and I to bond and have fun and to keep him occupied, exercised etc. I think dogs do better overall and have a better quality of life if they feel they have "jobs" and had read/heard that BCs are so smart, challenging them is key. This pup is extremely smart (scary) and I think once the confidence issue is overcome, he's going to be a firecracker. But, also, if he just ends up being a slightly timid goofy fun loving 7th place winner, that's fine too!

 

I will definitely pick up the book, I've been devouring everything I can on timid dogs, counterconditioning, positive reinforcement, etc and the tips have made a big difference already. Now the key is researching more training schools and finding the right fit for him.