“It’s not that the dog is really doing anything wrong, it’s just that they’ve never been told they can’t do it” is the ultimate owner’s take away from this training! LOVE IT ❤
I think the issue is her previous experience with professionals were that they didn’t explain why the rewards were used. Tom did an excellent job explaining what is needed and why it needs to be done.
I also think that they were just shoving food in the dog's face instead of waiting for her to disengage and check in with her owner. Shoving food in a dog's face that is anxious and barking tells them to keep doing it. Vs timing it with when they disengage tells the dog what the desired behavior is.
I have an Australian shepherd mix so I totally understand this lady. He’s a rescue and boy oh boy there’s a lot we need to work on. He’s an older guy about 6-7 yrs but I know there’s not an age limit for training. He’s a smart boy I can see he wants to learn. My objective is to get to the point where I can take him out on hikes and be able to not worry about his reactivity. Hes meant to be an outdoors dog and I wish to give him that life !! Wish me luck yall.
"That's what we like to see here, at the Upstate Canine Academy" 😂👌 It feels so good to see you, your team, the clients, and all the puppers flourishing. Quality life stuffs going on over there!
I think my favorite part of this is that you have the owner doing the training so you're fixing the issues and cues that she has with the dog. That's what I need!
Thanks Tom for changing my life. I started watching your videos three years ago when I first got my GSD Floyd, I fell in love with your methods and the art of dog training. I now have a thriving part time business specialising in reactive and agressive dogs in Perth Western Australia. You’re not only changing dogs life’s but also giving their owners the opportunity to love walking their dogs again. Once again, Thankyou for literally changing my life, I hope to one day thank you in person. Adam, Freedomk9
What a great team this owner and dog make. Border collies aren't for everyone, but I know these two will be just fine now that the owner has a better understanding of how a BC's mind works.
What a brilliant session!!! I also have a border collie and I totally understand what the owner is going through 😀 BC’s are such amazing dogs and so so smart! I love how she works with her pup and rescued him. Tom you are awesome and explain things so well. I would love to see more videos on Border Collies. I know my bc thrives on obedience and I’m always looking to improve both of us.
I get chills watching these videos. I couldn't be more in love with a philosophy, training style, personality, just top to bottom love everything Tom and team are doing. Hopefully some day I can get these experiences to translate to my puppy with reactivity!
I’m usually not a person who comments, but I’ve been watching your videos for some time and you’ve helped my dobie and I drastically from home. This was probably one of the best explained videos of yours I’ve watched, very touching! ❤
I've been using your methods for my 3 year old foster Mal. Very much the same situation of not being well socialised due to Covid. Great dog, just frustrated that she's on the leash and redirects on me. Today, we had a super long walk in a very busy park that had multiple dogs. Only 1 reaction to a puppy that lunged at her, but other wise, nothing. One dog growled at her, we walked on with no hassle. Even passed an ACD at close quarters, close enough for their noses to touch. We walked on with no reaction. Your methods work and Bella had made a 180 in her leashed attitude.
I miss my border collie so much! She was 15 but still wicked smart and manipulative to the end. There was nothing I couldn't teach her, but in the same vein she taught me all day long each and every day! I love you so much Dixie!!! Thank you for everything girly! 😇💕💕💕💕💕
I'm glad you included play and little physical activity in the training, recommending draining some energy before even going out for a walk. This is what exactly my experience is with my border collie. If the dog is less stressed by lack of exercise, there is a higher possibility that the dog makes better decisions. And also she won't mind other dogs that much while she is playing with me.
Great video! The handler had good timing too which made a big difference with a busy dog like hers. Thanks for sharing these videos and making the dog world better! Almost at 1 million subs!!!
Thank you for this video! I have a reactive dog, and it can be so difficult to empathize with your dog. I have learned that my dog is having a tough time, not giving me a tough time. We've been working on his reactivity for a year, but the toughest obstacle is that his reactivity is hairpin. So I never know when he will/won't. But I really love videos like this, because even something small, like putting the leash behind you can help a lot. That's going to be so helpful with my dog!
This is the most useful Tom Davis video I have ever watched. I have a reactive standard poodle. He is reactive around other dogs as well as noisy buses and trucks. It's been hell. My takeaways: from this video: The hand positioning during heel, i.e., holding the hand slightly behind you. How to engage your dog before the buildup and the activities between the heel and the sit. I stopped the video and tried the heel and it worked beautifully. I'm going to practice it a few more times inside, then do it during our walks.
I love how the dog DID communicate it was TOO MUCH. I probably would never notice the cue that my dog was a tad nervous or scared. I just thought it was all excitement.
"He's a border collie...hes supposed to be reactive...." Love it!!! I can't tell you how many people looked at my working line intact male doberman and made faces at me when he was just a little puppy...its like making Mike Tyson work as a preschool teacher. It is going to take time and patience..
Anticipating the build up with confidence and the right instruction, sure makes a difference. Impressed by your clear guide lines with the owner! Well done!
We recently brought home a 1.5yo German Shepherd rescue. He was so good when we visited in the shelter but when we brought him home, he’s been so reactive to my husband and other males. Hoping these videos will help us with this situation. We want our home to be a safe place for him where he trusts both my husband and I and takes our lead when new people come to our acreage. Thanks for the videos and education! You’re helping us so much.
She did such a great job!! She's going to be an amazing trainer. It's great to see you teach dog owners. The dogs want to obey they just don't know how. You are the best
Always makes my heart swell with love appreciation and gratitude towards Tom and the team. Thank you for always teaching and yes you have the patience of a Saint as she says. My only regret for not living in the US is you Tom and the facility. lots of love from My two dogs and me from India
My dogs aren't leash reactive but still "need work", and ALL of your videos have helped me build engagement with them, and reminded me that I was slacking on giving them a job and mental stimulation. Super appreciate filming you working with and correcting the owners too, it helps me remember how to hold myself, when to correct/reward, and also to use different levels of correction and tools depending on which dog I'm working with(11 yo heeler mix-my ride or die girl, 2.5 yo great Pyrenees-sweet and sensitive, and a ~3 yo German shepherd rescue/foster-loving, strong, and sensitive but also a complete block head at the same time) Thank you again guys!
Great video! Having a 5mo Aussie and being a disabled Vet I have difficulty with focus and concentration but always pick up something from your videos that helps me, like doing more redirection with a working dog. Thank you Tom.
The only show that my Dog watches she loves hearing the other dogs and commands 😂 as soon as it's on she walks in the room, only show I'll leave on for her while I'm out 😂😂
Awesome video! My wife has a friend with a reactive (younger) Border. I recently sent her to your site for tips. This video is perfectly timed and I will send to her for sure. Thank you for what you do!
Tom Davis is fantastic in how we works with ALL dogs and their owners. This video is exemplary! Great work and a great owner who could follow his process and the reasoning behind it.
I also own a young border collie male (20 months) and I really worked hard with him the first 18 months and it did payed off. I can walk with him off leash basically anywhere and he would never leave my side, BUT he too shows reactivity on leash . He doesn't bark, but rather wines. I think it is frustration and I did work on giving him an alternative, i. e. food or a toy and it did work sometime, but I keep thinking when I will be able to walk by another dog without having to tell him not to fixate the other dog. They say it is in their blood, since border collies have that "eye" to fixate and move sheep around.
No it is not “just their breed” to be spooked all the time. I knew and trained with a great person who bred and trained show quality Border Collies that could also go in the herding, obedience and agility arenas and win!! Those dogs of her were fabulous. It is just like training any dog, you get the dog you train and put the work in to.
It would be so awesome to hear you explain the most popular household breeds or most often recue breeds and their needs. A lot of reactivity cases start from the dog not being stimulated enough, which is very interesting.
Really appreciated the clarifications regarding the dismantling techniques and rewarding the dog "looking" at you when it makes the choice to do it on it's own vs being asked to
Boy did I need this! Ran across it this morning. I have a border I took off a chain during hurricane Ian. Man are they smart and tall about energy. I've had shepherds my whole life. Borders are NOT the same at all. VERY protective of what they consider their herd and right now seems mamma is the only thing in his herd. That's not jealousy I see now, that's reactivity. So now the whole process changes when we're out because he WILL engage if another dog approaches his mamma, same with people approaching me. So now we're Donna switch things up. Good thing about this guy, he's SMART. 18 months old and still a little hard headed and he'll flip you off, but he's consistent . Never have to wonder IF he'll engage, that's a definite oh heck yeah he's gonna, he will not back down. Not we start redirecting and reengaging his smarts.
Tom, my fiancé and I absolutely love the work you do. The way you're able to communicate what you're teaching is such a blessing. My fiancé and I really decided to dive into the dog world this year and we've been learning a lot from your videos and try to take that knowledge and work with our local shelter dogs to give them a better chance of finding a home. Any chance you'll be doing a seminar near the panhandle of Florida? We live in Pensacola and would love to be able to attend one of your seminars. Thanks again for all that you do!
Well done, Tom. So good to teach that recognizing all the characteristics of that particular breed and working with them is easy to do. Too many Border Collies end up in rescue and this shows that older people can bring them home and they can improve their dog’s ‘home skills”. I think its important though to also stress that they need exercise and should run around and play.
I loved this video and I think it will help my 2 year old Corgi Guido, He is super sweet and smart but when he sees some dogs he turns into Cujo. He loves most of the dogs at the dog park. In some settings he becomes very reactive. Thank you so much for this video and hopefully more reactive videos -- Greatly appreciated.
I’m so happy she was able to work with you. 🎉 I used my ball to distract my boy from focusing on people walking closely by us in the park this morning. I immediately channeled my inner Tom (Yoda) 😂.
Having a reacrice dog is hard. I have one as well. Coming from someone who cannot afford dog training. I am hoping that I can pick up some tactics for my reactive dog. Thank you for sharing these videos!
I so need this! I have a brother and sister who are... well my girl is barky to things and shy around people, but her brother is reactive to strangers and gets *very* herdy/growl/snarl. This will help immensely!
I cannot get my border collie to take food off me as soon as he thinks we’re leaving the house, never mind outside. How do I communicate he’s doing what I want? He only seems to pay attention to me if I have a toy (and it has to be the right toy) but even then he can get distracted. I feel rewarding him with play gets him over excited and increases the chance he’ll react to something.
I am always so thankful for your videos! Some training tips I had forgotten. 2 rescues from the streets. These were 2-3 month old puppies a year apart. Good dogs with completely different personalities. I needed this!❤
I have a golden retriever service dog, who obviously behaves very well. But we also have a daschund mix who has always been very reactive to other dogs and people. I bought a prong collar and followed the advice from this video and a few of your others and literally 5 minutes at the dog park and he stopped acknowledging other dogs and people completely. He even stopped pulling the leash immediately. Great videos and extremely helpful.
It is wonderful when Tom is able to connect with the people... so that they "see" and "understand" what makes their dog trigger and/or react. Additionally, giving them tools to use to help their dog make better decisions, by learning to look to their human to know what they should do. Kudos to you and your team for helping to train the people to be better dog owners - knowing how to help their dogs be fantastic in out in public and at home.
I have an adorable male Frenchie who is almost a year old. I also have a male Brussels. They will play together, but will also get into fights. One look by either of them and it's game on.I am using a loud corrector spray along with a citronella spray. Sometimes it will break them up, other times it will continue till one stops. Yesterday I picked up the Frenchie near my other dog and just like that a fight breaks out. I was in the middle and got a bite on my face. That's when I found you! So thank you!
This is great information. I have a 7 year old German Shepherd that we rehomed last November and I have been working on reactivity that I attribute to this being her 3rd home. She is wonderful, sweet, loving until she meets other dogs. I will incorporate your methods to our training exercises. Thank you!
This is such a helpful breakdown! I’ve watched a few of your videos on reactivity and I’d be curious to know when/if/how a dog who’s behaviour improves significantly, and consistently, can then be introduced to dogs off leash to sniff or play.
Excellent video. Very timely with the issues I’m having with my 10 month old Belgian Malinois puppy. I appreciate the comment about needing to match his mind. I’ve always said he just wants to engage in life and walking on a leash just slows him down so he gets frustrated. Giving him something to do helps.
Someone in our group asked about reactive dogs. I gave her my tips and recommended this video to her because it's pretty much everything i do. Great video! Keep up the good work
I have a 2 yr old full size aussie, a 16 week old mini aussie , a mutt that is almost 6 yrs and 74 pounds... i win the hyper bunch award..lol mutt is great pyremesse alaskan malamute aussie black lab and like 4 more breeds her mom and grandma were sluts LOL full size aussie herds sheep and the mini is too little but i might try small sheep with him the farmer told me he would check him on herding after his shots are done but small animals to start and check his prey drive as well. the mini aussie tries to herd my big dogs lol
Karr redirected on my arm the other day, left some bruises, so I went in to my tool box and back to the hermspringer. Two nights ago something clicked in him and things where a little better passing a dog and a cat. Still working on it.
Thank you! This was very useful! I am doing a pet sit in Spain right now with two sweethearts while they are at home and absolute monsters when it comes to other dogs, cats and scooters.. I’ve been using all my power to keep them next to me, now I can actually do something about it (or at least try). 🙏🏻
Thank you Tom For all of your Help though your videos really helped me gain more of a bond of trust and love. With my dog on a deeper level. I want to correct him the right way and I'm not a professional and don't want to worsen it by doing it incorrectly. But I understand my dog is just Scared and doesn't know what people or other dogs are and I understand avoiding the Triggers But I know it won't Fix the situation if I don't fix the outcome. Just at the moment I don't have the tools Needed to Set him up for Success. But Thank you for all your hard work. And dedication to each case.
