Because it’s easier to let them go than stress about them pulling and fighting on leash. When they are off leash it feels like it’s not her fault she can’t control them, and when they are on leash - it’s all on her.
Gotta admit, I hate people who can't control their dogs but still let them off leash. It's dangerous for everyone. Seriously, if your dog doesn't come when called, keep it leashed. I have a rescue dog who's a mix of two hunting breeds. The worker at the rescue said that I may never be able to let him off leash, and that's fine, I just use a long leash. It's better than have him run after a squirrel, or under a car (he's not afraid of cars) or to an aggressive dog that would attack him. I'm still training him to come when I call since he has escaped his harness a couple of times (I'm in the progress of making him an extra piece that goes behind his ribcage so he won't be able to back away from his harness).
My dog is 2 years old come Halloween and he still has some issues with recall. He'll come to me when called unless he's fixated on something, but even then he doesn't go far from me. The issue mostly is my mom who will *freak out* whenever he takes off.. one thing I do like is that this woman at least understood to not panic and not make the situation worse like my mom does.. when the dog eventually does come back, my mom will then scold him and I'm like "I'm confused.. are you mad he came back? Because that's what you just yelled at him for regardless of what you said to him." My dog is afraid of cars and people he doesn't know. He also generally is scared of other dogs.. but he also has a natural curiosity for things he finds in the woods beside my house.. so like he'll find a squirrel and fixate for a bit. I only let him off leash right by our house because he's learned his limits. Anywhere else I'd use a long leash until he was more comfortable with doing that. As for your harness issue, careful creating new things.. especially for behind the rib cage.. that's where a lot of important parts are. If your dog is just "able to back away from his harness" it sounds like it's improperly fitted around the shoulders.
Maybe try a gentle leader head collar. It fits over the nose and around the back of the head similar to a horse bridle. It will also help if he pulls or gets fixed on something and tries to run off on leash as it turns the dogs head back towards you when he pulls.
@@Eventide215 I'm not creating a new thing here, that is something people use but I haven't found one that would fit the harnesses I use. That piece is not even supposed to be tight at all, just smaller than the ribcage so that if the dog tries to back off from the harness, it won't slide off. The other harness he has came with him from the rescue, and the other was fitted by a pet store employee. I dunno where I would get more properly fitting harnesses if those are not good enough.
I go hiking a lot and my God loves being off lead for hikes but in the spring/summer we have areas that are dog on lead/on path only due to nesting wildlife and we just have to respect that
My dog had been attacked at least twice by other dogs before I adopted her. Walking her was always stressful when other dogs were around since she was fearful due to her prior history. Please keep dogs like this in mind when you think your dog is "great with other dogs" and "just wants to be friendly". Other dogs may not want your dog in their faces!!
Yep. There are plenty "my dog is just a puppy and wants to play" owners... Well my dog is old and not interested to play with pups. He likes to hang around with calm dogs, not ones that can suddenly put weight on him or push him. No one would ask random 70+ to wrestle with their 10 year old kid.
My dog has been attacked on leash for three times over the past two years. He is very afraid of all dogs now, even though I was able to stop bad accidents to happen. It will take years to build the trust for other dogs again. Any unleashed dog running towards us sets my dog back to the square one. It makes me so mad.
Yep. I hate when big dog owners get offended when I pull my Shih Tzu far away from their dog. "He/She is harmless!" How am I supposed to know that? I've never seen your dog before, your dog has never met mine before, your dog could tear mine to shreds...I'm moving away from you. Deal with it. Big dog owners never really need to worry about dog attacks like small dog owners do, it's that simple. It's not personal, we feel it sometimes necessary. Intensified by when my Shih Tzu was attacked by an off leash Pitbull at out local beach a few years ago. Our dog has been fine about it, but we're not. That scene stays in your head forever, and we're not risking his life unnecessarily again.
Yeah, my last dog hated other dogs (she was a rescue and, yes, I suspect she had been attacked before I got her). I never, ever let her off leash. People were always like, "Don't worry, my dog is friendly!" Yeah, but mine isn't! Get your dog under control! (and if your dog is running up to mine and getting in her face then, no, he's not under control.)
I’m shocked she allows her dogs off leash when she’s AWARE they’re reactive? I have a lot of sympathy for the dogs, it’s not their fault. I love hiking too, a lot, but my dog is reactive as well so he’s always leashed and I have longer leashes too. Every hike is an opportunity to train. It is irresponsible to allow your dogs to roam off leash when you know they’re reactive and have zero recall, it’s our job to know what our dogs can handle and how they can handle it and what they can’t.
You have to give the dogs some time off the leash otherwise they'll be extremely unruly. She should do it in a place where there is no one though to avoid any trouble.
@@ashperez72 my dog isn’t reactive she just wants to be friends with other dogs and play with them! So I think you’re dog just wants to be friends with the other doggies too
@@ThunderClanFan22 sometimes, even if dogs only have good intentions when approaching another dog, the owner of that other dog may thing that it’s aggression. people don’t like feeling as though their dog is in danger
I have no idea how she has those dogs off leash when they are totally out of control. No common sense very bad dog owner but at least she asked for help.
Literally passed a sign stating for dogs to be leashed. This owner is gambling on her dogs behavior. Having a dog on a leash is protection for the dog. If the dog is off the leash and attacks someone, it could be euthanized. Same reason why parents need to teach kids not to touch random dogs. A child could easily provoke a dog and get bitten. That's what I was taught.
No one seemed to regard the sign, it wasnt just this owner. Everyone thinks they can just let their dogs run and it will all be fine and they have control but its rarely the case.
What about the sign "Dogs on leash"? Didn't she read? You cannot let the dogs off leash in that area, it's prohibited!! All dogs should be ON leash when walking in public areas. I have a very big, nice, gentle and trainned dog and still use the leash every time we go on a hike. Very irresponsible owner, but the thing I don't really understand is Victoria encouraging her instead of warning her...
Yes I agree that was very risky and dangerous because they are 1 big dogs, they put a smaller dog to see what big dogs would do which that look like a poodle mix, and poodles are friendly but bossy in a dog kind of way LOL. I think it's called big dog syndrome which many little dogs tend to have that issue...
No you’re totally right it’s wholly irresponsible, I have one border collie bull terrier mix who’s pretty reactive and dog selective and he’s always ALWAYS on a leash
Not only that, but she's letting them off the lead in an area where it's illegal to do so! They even showed the sign saying "all dogs must be on leash". I usually like Victoria's videos but I'm appalled she even uploaded this. It's extremely inconsiderate and irresponsible to let your dogs off leash in non-designated areas. It's bad for wildlife, and it's dangerous for her dogs and others. As an owner of a reactive dog myself I feel let down by this video. This would have been a great opportunity for Victoria to advocate for all dogs who need a little space by asking her viewers to obey leash laws. Smh.
Same, my male is cool with anyone so he'll just ignore annoying dogs like them but my girl would have an absolute tantrum if she were chased down like that. Both come when called and i'll leash them or tell them not to go over if i see someone coming toward us with a leashed dog. At the end of the day i dont know why they're on a leash. If i meet dogs like this and they're off leash i'll ask for them to be called back, if the owner can't i'll unleash mine.. that way my girl can create some distance, if i habe her on leash and she gets cornered she'll lash out.
At least this woman knows to stay calm and not make the situation worse which is so very common.. Though interestingly she thinks her staying back and not engaging the dogs to make them worse makes her look like a bad owner.. *that* part actually makes her look like a good owner.. the fact she can't recall her dogs makes her look like a bad owner. Also, my dog is also pretty shy (like me), and generally doesn't like being around other dogs and gets a bit reactive. However, a lot of his reaction is just too much energy. He's still only 2 so still got a lot of that young energy when on walks, but he's getting a lot better about it.
Strangely enough my large dog who is 13 years old and never shown any form of aggression. For some reason small dogs go for him and the owners think it's highly amusing.
@@jakejancook I think it's just to see the problematic dogs' bad behavior. I also thought it was strange how no one seemed worried about the smaller dog in the beginning when it was being chased.
All of Dawn’s friends’ dogs are leashed on the hike. Why do her dogs need to be unleashed? Especially when they have a demonstrated history of being reactive to dogs (and as Dawn said, to CHILDREN as well). I love you Victoria, but this is a recipe for disaster.
A common mistake is to think that if your dog listens at home, they’ll listen everywhere. You actually need to practice in different environments in order for the dog to understand that “sit” etc. means to do it no matter the place or situation.
I can’t believe they let those dogs off leash around that little dog! They could’ve killed him and there would be nothing anyone could do about it. They should’ve been wearing muzzles at the very least. This lady likes to hike yet, of all the breeds she could’ve chosen, she got 2 of the breed that’s known for its high prey drive and she’s surprised she’s having a hard time with it.
Why on earth would she let 2 reactive dogs off the lead!! They could attack another dog, even if they don't attack there behaviour could cause another dog to bolt and the get lost and hurt. As someone who works with nervous dogs this lady would be my nightmare
@@Anna_Dawson they aren’t aggressive, they’re reactive. If they were aggressive like my dog is they couldn’t even greet another dog or walk on the same sidewalk. Reactivity and aggression go hand in hand a lot but they are not the same thing
you do NOT let dogs like this off leash. I have a reactive dog. no way i'd let him be off leash until i know for sure he can handle it. And if thats forever, so be it.
My daughter has a reactive dachshund. I told her about some videos I watched of yours. I got her to wear the treat bag and when she see's a possible situation going to happen she redirects him to focus on her and he knows he'll get a treat. It's been working SO well! It's awesome to be out actually walking him and not trying to hold him back. Thank you so much for your videos and all the help you give to animals and owners(and grandma's that want to take their grandpup for a walk without being knocked over!)
My favorite was when she said we have great weather lets take advantage of it, spoken like someone from England. The other woman was thinking what are talking about, its like this everyday.
@Charger Fan NY I dunno, I hVe used MANY of her techniques with my husky/Shepard mixes AND my mom's SUPER aggressive blue heeler with fantastic results.
why is it a requirement to hike with the dogs off-leash???? i have a reactive dog that I hike with regularly and people like her make our experience a living hell. just make everyone's lives easier and leash your dog.
It is also better for the wildlife to leash your dog. Some birds and small animals nest on the ground. If a dog goes too close to the nest, the nest can be abandoned.
Well, of course people are hating because she doesn’t know common sense. Nobody wants to be around aggressive dogs if they’re not train! I’m traumatized by dogs. So if I see a unleash dog me they’re running around being wild , I get scared. I won’t run but anything can happen
Well to make a different kind of comment to everyone scolding letting the dogs off leash; I found it a very positive change to have a dog owner who may have not been in control but really wanted to change that and work hard for it. Seen a lot of different cases where it needed convincing or even threats to get them to work.
I love how Victoria trains. I even bought her book, she's just so considerate, it's like a breath of fresh air. Leaps and bounds better than Ceasar Milan, when I watch The Dog Whisperer now, I feel uneasy and sad for the dogs, especially after it's gotten out that he abuses them.
And how do you explain that she encourages this owner to let her reactive dogs off leash in an area that has a sign saying Dogs On Leash just so she can see how they do?? This whole video is extremely disturbing. Jeesh, she watches while her client's dogs basically attack other dogs!
I rescued my dog a few months ago, she was HIGHLY reactive to smaller critters, and had horrible recall. With Victoria's method in this video, she has made a huge turn around! I use the long lead still when we go on trails to hike, shes still a work in progress but I stand by this method!! Its effective and builds a new, relaxed bond with your dogs.
I ran across a woman just like this. She let her aggressive dog off leash while I was walking my dog on the leash. Long story short, her dog crossed the street and snapped at mine. Her dog was bitten and so was she when she punched on my dog instead of trying to restrain her own. She tried to go after me for her dog's vet bills and her own medical bills. Between the witnesses, her dog being off leash, and my dog being deemed unaggressive while in quarantine, I was able to keep my baby. The police refused to press charges and she picked up a fine. Idk what happened with her but her irresponsibility followed by her trying to get my dog removed made me hate people like her.
I'd argue, in that case, the reactivity is the smaller issue. The bigger issue is the lack of recall. Even if the dogs wouldn't be reactive. What's she gonna do? Join the "don't worry. He/she is friendly" yelling fraction, whenever they approach dogs outside?
@@PhilippBorn hmm i agree. still though she really shouldn’t be surprised if other dog owners don’t like her for letting two dogs friendly or not approach other dogs
As someone with a reactive dog, and another who can be impulsive, I totally agree. Our dogs are our responsibility. No way I’d let either of them off leash in public, not even in a designated area. I know my furry babies, and I give them the boundaries and leadership they need to be the best behaved they can be.
@@PhilippBorn Sure but even friendly dogs owners are gonna be annoyed with the reactivity. Basically don't let your dog off leash when other dogs might be present who ARENT up for your dog in their face
@@NoThankUBeQuiet 100%, my girl isnt particularly interested in other dogs, if those two pumbled her like that she'd be throwing hands. Gernerally she'd try to avoid them but they dont seem all too avoidable..
It is so irresponsible to let your dogs off the leash like that. One in most places it's against the law and 2 what happens when they try to greet a dog like mine who is easily scared but can't be picked up? Also 3 it's bad for the environment in some areas because dogs can harm the local wildlife
Owners like her are the reason there are restrictive leash laws and fines even for the dogs who are actually good off-leash. Pretty sick of people ruining off-leash time for all dogs.
Proper use of an e collar would work. People who are against it just don't understand what they are. Imagine hiking in nature and hearing that annoying whistle non stop.
Dawn should have sense to not let her dogs off leash on a hike. I hike often with my pomeranians and it's people like her that have no control over her dogs and mine wind up getting hurt. I have no respect when irresponsible dog owners do this. Dawn is a selfish person to do this.
I saw that happened with some dogs in my neighborhood. The house has 3 dogs and when it’s nice, they’re all out there. I walked by with my dog, and they all got hyped and barky that 2 of the dogs ended up fighting each other. The owner broke them up and was like, omg, what the hell is wrong with you two? All I kept thinking was this episode.
I definitely get very frustrated with other dogs that are not controlled well either. I get it that it’s rough but they certainly can get advice from a trainer and if they can’t afford training, check out Google and UA-cam. I’ve had dogs my whole life, a total of three, two of which lived a full life and I currently have number three who is six years old. Every one of them have been attacked by another dog off the leash, while we’re on a walk. While my dogs were okay, that was unacceptable and I had to report it. Please control your dogs!
To bad, I don't need Victoria's services bc our dog is so well behaved. But would be fun to see her reacting to our Swissy/Malemute mix, well, he was very easy to train. 😎But a little stubborn at times, when he doesn't want something then I do have to talk like I mean it🤗
if your dog is reactive at all they should absolutely not be off leash for any reason. i can tell you that if any dog ever were to ever do that with my dog there would be a major issue cause he never hesitates to fight back. as much as he is good most of the time i would never consider letting him off leash because of that. it’s because of people like this that stuff happens. it’s about being a smart responsible dog owner so that you not only keep your dog or dogs safe but you keep the public safe and other people’s dogs.
My male dog tries to correct my female when they encounter other people or dogs, similar to what these dogs did in the beginning. Alone my male is friendly towards everyone. My female is a bit skittish. Together they'll both be barking and lunging but my male will be wagging his tail, even though he seems to be the most reactive. Mine are Australian shepherds, over 60 lbs.
What was seen here isn't the dogs correcting each other. It's redirection of frustration just like Victoria said. They both are reactive and try to get at other dogs. They don't get to, so they redirect that frustration to each other. It's not dangerous though because neither dog was actually trying to hurt the other. It's basically their way of being like "DID YOU SEE THAT?! THAT WAS A DOG!! WE DIDN'T GET TO MEET IT!! I'M ANGRY ARE YOU ANGRY?!" It's similar to how a child would react if you never teach them how to interact with others. It usuallly turns to frustration and aggression nearly instantly because they don't know what to do.
@@trekketoo You need to apply the same things Victoria did here most likely. For greetings you start with they get to just acknowledge the dog exists. Get a friend that'll pass by a few times and keep your dogs distanced. Each time let them get a little closer. Eventually let them actually close in, get a good sniff, say hello, and move on (3 second greet). Doing this lets you gradually teach your dog that as long as they're calm they can greet for longer periods. Maybe even getting to play a bit as well. Something very important though is learning different greeting behaviors.. a lot of uninformed dog owners don't know the differences. Like I've seen many people that would see what happened here as aggressive, then start panicking thinking someone's going to get hurt, etc. Neither of these dogs were ever aggressive and the owner knew that. She may not have had them under control, but she knew they weren't aggressive. They just had a lot of energy and didn't really know how to show that in a positive way.
Sounds like the male is dominant or trying to be. Also could be possiseve, wants all the attention for him.. is he fixed? Are both (or any) of them fixed?? How much training do they have? Did you get them together, or one at a time??
Wagging their tails doesn`t mean they are safe around other dogs.Look at any UA-cam video and dogs attacking people or other dogs will wag their tails!
Owners like this are exactly why I can't walk my dog without fear. He's become reactive due to how many bad situations he's been on with loose dogs that are not under control. He didn't have this problem when he was younger until he was attacked multiple times by rambunctious bigger dogs. I've asked owners to PLEASE keep their dogs away/leashed and they always respond by either failing to recall completely or saying "oh, he's/she's friendly," (and by that, they usually mean friendly in the "get all up in your face/jump on/etc. kind of "friendly.") Great. My dog ISN'T anymore and I just want to be able to take him on a peaceful walk so that he can get exercise and stimulation because he enjoys it so much and aside from random dogs running up to him, he walks wonderfully on the leash.
This is the second owner I've seen on this show with two reactive and aggressive dogs that they know they can't control but still let them off leash. At least these two didn't almost attack a jogger on camera
If she doesn't stop letting them off leash, they are going to hurt another dog or get hurt themselves. I love dogs, and these aren't bad dogs, but I promise you if any dog runs up on my leashed dogs and it's a choice between my dogs getting hurt and the other dog getting hurt, I will make sure my dogs aren't on the losing end
7:31 there's a knot in the line. A knot reduces a line's strength by about 70%. So know you have a leash with only 30% strength. Always remove knots from a line
I think it’s important for owners to understand that dogs aren’t great at "transference of skills". So just because they’re recalling well in a controlled environment doesn’t mean they know that the same behavior is expected in a more stimulating location. That’s why she needed to keep Harper on the long lead to help with successful recall on a hike which would bridge the learned behavior from one place to another.
"They think I'm being a bad owner" No darling you are a bad owner. Letting them off the lead when you know their dog aggressive is reckless and selfish. My god you shouldn't be allowed to own dogs
great training video... but for future reference on trail its advised against using a whistle for a dog, as a whistle is carried by hikers so it can be used as a call for help. if dog people use whistles it can not only be mistakingly taken as a signal for help by nearby trail hands or other hikers.. but it might also cover the whistle of a hiker who is in genuine need of help.
Having a reactive dog off leash when they have 0 recall is so god damn dangerous. No wonder other dog walkers hate her. I work with training reactive dogs and would never have one without a efficient recall off leash in public.
Wow I have 2 pitbulls and would never let them off leash if they acted like that. Thankfully my dogs are not aggressive towards any other dogs but if the were I’d never take the chance
This is such a wild myth. Domestic dogs, aside from a few specific breeds (ones literally bred for this reason), aren't actually that vicious when not on their own territory. Your lack of knowledge in the department, and acting like you're superior to a world reknown top dog training expert, now that's "smh" worthy.
@@Eventide215 they said absolutely nothing about dogs being naturally territorial and aggressive. they're referring to the fact that she knows her dogs are uncontrollably reactive around other dogs, but let's them off leash in a public area anyways. your lack of knowledge of a basic sentence is what id call a "smh" moment
We did the "focus" training on our dog whenhe was a puppy maybe 4-6 months old. He now thinks "focus" means "look around and see if there are other dogs or other fun things that my owners don't want me to engage with".
Sounds like you use this command only in situations it was needed? Training should be done everyday and in different situations and surroundings. Sometimes with distraction, sometimes without and unpredictable for the dog.
The way I would pepper spray those dogs so fast if they came charging up to my dog like that. Feel so bad these dogs got stuck with such an idiotic owner that has no common sense like literally zero. Wish Victoria could’ve told her how dangerous that was to let dogs like that offleash.
That kind of owner is the reason my son went through so many reconstructive surgeries on his face. A family members dog attacked him when he was 4 years old. They think of no one but themselves.
I have the exact same problem with my dog. Luckily she only's 8 kilo. Would not be able to control it whatsoever if she was bigger. 😢 I stay home most of the time because of this.
I had the problem of my rescue lunging at other dogs at walks. I took notes from Victoria's videos and tried some methods. With my doggo, it helped when we went to the other side of the walkway (as far from the other dog as possible) where I made him sit with me positioned so that I was between him an the other dog. I then took a treat next to my face and asked my dog to look at me. I start doing that as soon as I see the other dog, othervise my dog would get riled up seeing the other dog get closer. Sometimes the other dog is more interesting than the treat, but even then the reaction is not as strong and he could actually meet the dog nicely. I have also tried the "close" command where I have a treat in my hand so we could walk past other dogs with my dog walking nicely next to me. I hope you try some of Victoria's methods to see if some would work for you. It's certainly not good for you and your doggo to stay at home at all times, and I know it's hard to feel anxious every time you leave the house and hope you don't encounter other dogs.
"Look At That" training has been INSANELY helpful for my dog who is reactive to other dogs on leash. Basically using the sound of a clicker or a "look" command while she's focused on another dog to get her attention off of it, looking at me, and giving her a treat. Then she's allowed to look again, disengage, treat, repeat. It's helped our troubles immensely and she will only really react now if a dog gets right up in her personal space on leash (she doesn't feel like she has an escape route so meetings are very stressful for her).
If your dog is this way around other dogs to to parks early am or late evening when nobody is around they still need exercise the life of a dog should Not be spent indoors 24/7 when there's beautifulw weather outside especially
1:12 the dogs weren’t displaying aggressive behaviour, they were trying to initiate play (based on body language- play bows, tail not too high and barking because the dog didn’t want to play back) but I think obviously they should be on a leash because that interaction was still too intrusive and overwhelming to the other dog. But often times dogs are reactive on lead because there’s no escape and they feel ‘trapped’, but off lead these dogs don’t seem reactive, so learning greeting manners using a long line I think is great
12:25 - hang on, the owner wants to walk her dogs off leash in an area with a sign that clearly says "Dogs on Leash"? My dog is super reactive too. Following Victoria Stilwell's tips has led to huge improvement in his behaviour, but he still overreacts when he comes too close to medium/large dogs (especially males). Here in Sydney it is illegal to let your dog off the lease unless the area is specifically off-leash. Your dog may be friendly, but my dog doesn't like it! Safer for everyone to respect the rules.
Anyone who knows a thing about dog training..you know that leash aggression and off leash bullying takes more than just a couple of days..but hey, this is tv magic right !!! 😴this is an issue of no solid foundation, lack of knowledge from the owner and there is no correction for not following the command..
I have a Rottweiler and have had 2 off the leash greyhound dogs come up and start nipping at her, the owner was such an inconsiderate cow the only reason she actually moved and got her dogs is cause I told her I would let my dog off the leash to defend herself and it won’t look pretty for her greyhound’s. Seriously reminds me of this woman
My ex step father did this with our dog Misty. She was badly abused and did not like other people and other dogs. He let her of the lease she bit someone. (A few times) She loved me… but I was terrified of her.
You ARE a bad dog owner if you let your *reactive* dogs off leash. You ARE an absolutely TERRIBLE dog owner if you let your *UNTRAINED AND REACTIVE* dogs off leash. This is not a hard concept.
My dog is also aggressive when encountering other dogs, specifically on a leash. She is fine off leash in enclosed parks. But on normal walks or on hikes she can get aggressive. Only issue is she isn’t food motivated at all. A treat would NEVER get her attention over charging a dog. Tips?
So, my dog need a toy, if a dog comes we just play gentle tug (I taught him the command gentle) and he never barks. Whenever I go without a toy he barks so it will take time, that’s no doubt for sure. But just know if you teach your dog how to focus using a toy, bam, your gonna be fine. Let me know if you want more of an explanation of what to do to teach the actual commands. My dog gets to excited when it comes to treats to teaching him with treats was impossible. I taught him paw, stay, come, walk with me, focus, sit, lay down, and etc. all with toys. Good luck :) how old is she by the way?
A favourite toy can be very good. It could also depend what kind of food you're trying to use- a dry biscuit, for example, may be way less motivating than a piece of cooked chicken or something.
I mean yeah, me and my dog would absolutely hate them too if they came to bark at her in her face. I see the potential for so many things going wrong there... The Focus command is a great idea, I need to try it, my dog is not reactive but easily distracted by smells and whatnot. Didn't like Harper having the long leash attached to the collar, that's dangerous.
@@kailester4807 If the dog takes off running and she doesn't let go off the leash (and let's assume she can stay firmly on her feet and the dog doesn't drag her with him), once he gets to the end he's going to get forcefully jerked back and the impact might injure his neck. This happened to my dog years ago (I was much less knowledgeable then), the way she was pulled back was, shall we say, pretty spectacular. It was only months later that I realized how lucky we were that the only part that got bruised there was her ego. I ditched the long leash no long after that episode, I didn't need it anymore and in any case it's pretty awkward to handle. Long leashes should only be used with harnesses; the same goes for retractable and seatbelt leashes.
A question: how do you do the close training with small dogs? For me to do that with my little mutt I would need to be all hunched over. She has a kind of a recall, but it doesn't work when she sees a bird or a butterfly. I only let her off leash in a grassfield in a park that had no one around, and she did better than I thought she would. I thought I was ready to train her, but I failed miserably and I'm not really sure what to do. I'll try to use these techniques and see if it works.
You can train a heel on leash and use leash pressure to cue for the right position, and you can also toss treats on the ground away from the trigger so she puts her nose down and disengages from the distraction. You can also teach other tricks like spinning, jumping up on things, putting her front feet up on things, basically anything to maintain her attention on you while you're passing a trigger. Increasing distance from the trigger is probably the most important part, until the heel is really really solid.
Why do people INSIST on having their dog off the lead as if it’s some kind of right they have!? My dog is petrified of other dogs and the amount of off lead dogs with no recall come over unwanted is ridiculous!
I think this is a very irresponsibile behavior. I own a pitbull and she is huge and she is really reactive to other dogs (although she has few dog friends). I always walk my dog on a leash, use the muzzle and i’d never imagine to let her off leash or without a muzzle, even tough my dog is an awkward ball of emotion and muscles (yep, she cries a lot) First of all, in my country dog owners should always carry a muzzle with them. Second of all, god forbid, i don’t want to put my dog to sleep if she bits another dog. Maybe i’m being to anxious about it, but i just want to be responsible
You are doing the right thing. It's better safe than sorry. Purebred American pit bull terriers like those registered with the ADBA,BFKC, SDR, commonly have some level of dog aggression. With some of them being severely aggressive towards other dog's. Sometimes it comes on with age other times it's brought on by a scuffle. Often when a Gamebred American pit bull terrier starts showing dog aggression they will always be a danger to other dogs. American pit bull terriers were bred for dog fighting for more than 75 years. Always pay close attention if you let your dog play with other dog's everything can be going well Antel it's not. This can happen faster than a person can react. I had a male that was not trusted around any other male dog and he needed to be carefully introduced to females. Because if he wasn't sure that they were a female before they got to close it was bite first sniff later.
Why do people take dog fightings breed, do you really that confidence boost for being carried around by a dangerous dog breed. Can't you just go to the gym ?
That's why I decided not to get another dog especially cause I don't get support at home with the training, one big dog is enough for me cause I do everything by myself now if I had two dogs it was gonna be super hard training them both. Even if I get another one in future none of my family members will walk the poor dog. I just thought nicely about it, even though I really want another dog but I rather not cause it will be too much pressure on me.
Very good training advice.I have three dogs to walk and one of my dogs is reactive towards certain people so he wears a muzzle when off leash.I am doing pretty well with recall but room for improvement so I like the idea of using a whistle and treats.Thank you👍😄
So, I have a dog that loves playing with other dogs. He's super reactive but in a weird manner. He will sit but bounce up and down on his front feet (picture Tigger, off Winnie the pooh) he is an American staffing that has been socialized and goes everywhere with me. So my question is is he reactive but just wants to play? Or do I approach the training differently?
Please don't use a long leash like that on a collar. Use a harness instead. Dogs can seriously injure themselves when they run into their collar at full speed. :/
These dogs would drag her all over the place on a harness. She wouldn't have a hope of holding onto both of them if they were wearing harness as a harness allows them to pull even more.
@@kimberleyhand5663 Not even gonna get into how it's very possible to train your dog to *not* pull without relying on inflicting pain (which is basically why they allegedly pull less on a collar, right? Because harnesses are more comfortable, which you somehow consider to be a disadvantage), you're basically saying that it's okay for the dogs to get seriously injured because the human failed to a) train them and b) think about what she can handle *before* getting them. That basically tells me it's futile to try to reason with you.
The only way to stop a dog from pulling in a harness is to train them not to and if you have to train them not to pull in a harness then you can do the same thing in a flat collar. Harness can inflict discomfort on dogs as well (which is how so called no pull harness work, they restrict free and easy movement of the front leg muscles and do actually alter a dogs gait which has been scientifically proven). A flat collar was not designed to inflict pain or discomfort. They are a safe tool for a dog to wear 24/7 and are primarily used to hold a dogs ID. The key with any tool is to train your dog. Any tool can be misused and can inflict pain and/or discomfort when used incorrectly.
@@kimberleyhand5663 Nothing you said changes the fact that if the dogs run with the long leashes and get stuck somewhere or are held back, it's much more dangerous on a collar. Obviously harnesses have to fit well and there are some types that are harmful (no pull harnesses among them, luckily where I live people rarely use torture instruments like that). One has nothing to do with the other though. Just think about wehther you'd rather do a bungee jump with a harness around your chest or a noose around your neck...
If it has been a few months and the dog aced the training, then it is safe to not use treats. But you have to be consistent with the training, if the command hasn't been used in a couple months, then you will have to reuse the treat command to remind the dog of the lessons.
I have a dog that I trained ever since he was a puppy so he is very well behaved he doesn't look in the direction of other things when we're on walks he'll perk his ears up but nothing else I started taking him on walks with my friends dog she was as bad some dogs I've seen on here but she was impulsive when seeing other dogs she'd bark and snarl at things but my dog and me of course started to teach what and what not to do and now she is almost just like him.
Not CA dog's can't be of leash in California. There are also strict tethering Laws. Making it so that dog's can't be on a chain. Even tho a proper chain setup is not a bad way for a dog to be kept. It's much better than being locked in a crate or in a room for 8 hours a day.
Harnesses aren’t always the answer. It can give, especially a big dog, an easier time pulling you around. I used to use one on my mastiff mix and it was continuous pulling, even in the “no pull” harnesses. My trainer recommended a prong collar to start, and she’s been a dream to walk ever since. I use the prong collar when we go anywhere where she might get too distracted to listen and she walks amazingly. She has started to pull less when I just take her out to potty as well, without the prong, so I can start working on using it less. If used properly, the prong collar is the way to go. A harness just allows a dog to pull with their whole body, instead of just their neck.
@@Sanddaal it mimics the mother correcting the pup. She nips at the neck when her pup gets out of line and the pup corrects their behavior. I don’t ever yank on the collar, if she decides to lunge, I just hold on and say “no” as the leash reaches its end. She basically checks her own behavior. The skin on the neck of a dog is much thicker than ours, which is why it hurts us when we get chocked out with a necklace, but a dog will drag you around even with a collar on. The only time I’ve ever had to yank on her collar was when she went after the one dog on the planet that she seems to have issues with, after which, she left the dog alone and just lay by my feet. I can walk with a loose leash with the prong collar, anything else and I’m being dragged around by her. She normally walks decent, but if she decides to go after something, she’s nearly ripped my arm out of its socket before. The prong collar has made it so I can walk her with ease and without worrying about her.
@Abby A harness might not solve the problem of pulling but at least the dog is not chocking and damaging their neck. As for that horrid prong. A spike collar is NEVER the same as a mum. No amount of me commenting will change your opinion so let's leave it at that. Just remember to wear one your self.
@@Sanddaal I've put a prong on my own neck before and yanked on it in several directions and it's NOT painful. Also remember a dogs skin is WAAAAAY less sensitive than a human. They look extremely cruel but they're actually not, although you have to place it high up the neck which people don't always do and that can be a problem
i'm glad she's getting help regarding her dogs, but i cannot wrap my head around why she lets her dogs offleash knowing she cant control them
Maybe because leashes aren't normal and they pull a lot? I agree but that could be why
@@iheartjbgccb harness
Fr
She probably has the mind set if the dog isn’t attacking then she should be able to
Because it’s easier to let them go than stress about them pulling and fighting on leash. When they are off leash it feels like it’s not her fault she can’t control them, and when they are on leash - it’s all on her.
Gotta admit, I hate people who can't control their dogs but still let them off leash. It's dangerous for everyone. Seriously, if your dog doesn't come when called, keep it leashed. I have a rescue dog who's a mix of two hunting breeds. The worker at the rescue said that I may never be able to let him off leash, and that's fine, I just use a long leash. It's better than have him run after a squirrel, or under a car (he's not afraid of cars) or to an aggressive dog that would attack him. I'm still training him to come when I call since he has escaped his harness a couple of times (I'm in the progress of making him an extra piece that goes behind his ribcage so he won't be able to back away from his harness).
My dog is 2 years old come Halloween and he still has some issues with recall. He'll come to me when called unless he's fixated on something, but even then he doesn't go far from me. The issue mostly is my mom who will *freak out* whenever he takes off.. one thing I do like is that this woman at least understood to not panic and not make the situation worse like my mom does.. when the dog eventually does come back, my mom will then scold him and I'm like "I'm confused.. are you mad he came back? Because that's what you just yelled at him for regardless of what you said to him." My dog is afraid of cars and people he doesn't know. He also generally is scared of other dogs.. but he also has a natural curiosity for things he finds in the woods beside my house.. so like he'll find a squirrel and fixate for a bit. I only let him off leash right by our house because he's learned his limits. Anywhere else I'd use a long leash until he was more comfortable with doing that.
As for your harness issue, careful creating new things.. especially for behind the rib cage.. that's where a lot of important parts are. If your dog is just "able to back away from his harness" it sounds like it's improperly fitted around the shoulders.
Esp. if they attack other dogs.
Maybe try a gentle leader head collar. It fits over the nose and around the back of the head similar to a horse bridle. It will also help if he pulls or gets fixed on something and tries to run off on leash as it turns the dogs head back towards you when he pulls.
@@Eventide215 I'm not creating a new thing here, that is something people use but I haven't found one that would fit the harnesses I use. That piece is not even supposed to be tight at all, just smaller than the ribcage so that if the dog tries to back off from the harness, it won't slide off.
The other harness he has came with him from the rescue, and the other was fitted by a pet store employee. I dunno where I would get more properly fitting harnesses if those are not good enough.
Ha ha that sounds exactly like my dog my dog is one bully breed a rescue and she cannot stay on her harness
12:25 the sign literally says Dogs should be on leashes. Why is it so hard for people?
Yes! This sort of thing makes me upset.
I go hiking a lot and my God loves being off lead for hikes but in the spring/summer we have areas that are dog on lead/on path only due to nesting wildlife and we just have to respect that
@@MakeshiftMelody God...? Did you mean dog? lol
@@anaalina5964 aahahaha yeah woops 😂😭
@@anaalina5964 What’s the difference? Lol
My dog had been attacked at least twice by other dogs before I adopted her. Walking her was always stressful when other dogs were around since she was fearful due to her prior history. Please keep dogs like this in mind when you think your dog is "great with other dogs" and "just wants to be friendly". Other dogs may not want your dog in their faces!!
Yep.
There are plenty "my dog is just a puppy and wants to play" owners... Well my dog is old and not interested to play with pups. He likes to hang around with calm dogs, not ones that can suddenly put weight on him or push him.
No one would ask random 70+ to wrestle with their 10 year old kid.
My dog has been attacked on leash for three times over the past two years. He is very afraid of all dogs now, even though I was able to stop bad accidents to happen. It will take years to build the trust for other dogs again. Any unleashed dog running towards us sets my dog back to the square one. It makes me so mad.
Yep. I hate when big dog owners get offended when I pull my Shih Tzu far away from their dog. "He/She is harmless!" How am I supposed to know that? I've never seen your dog before, your dog has never met mine before, your dog could tear mine to shreds...I'm moving away from you. Deal with it. Big dog owners never really need to worry about dog attacks like small dog owners do, it's that simple. It's not personal, we feel it sometimes necessary. Intensified by when my Shih Tzu was attacked by an off leash Pitbull at out local beach a few years ago. Our dog has been fine about it, but we're not. That scene stays in your head forever, and we're not risking his life unnecessarily again.
Yeah, my last dog hated other dogs (she was a rescue and, yes, I suspect she had been attacked before I got her). I never, ever let her off leash. People were always like, "Don't worry, my dog is friendly!" Yeah, but mine isn't! Get your dog under control! (and if your dog is running up to mine and getting in her face then, no, he's not under control.)
I’m shocked she allows her dogs off leash when she’s AWARE they’re reactive? I have a lot of sympathy for the dogs, it’s not their fault. I love hiking too, a lot, but my dog is reactive as well so he’s always leashed and I have longer leashes too. Every hike is an opportunity to train. It is irresponsible to allow your dogs to roam off leash when you know they’re reactive and have zero recall, it’s our job to know what our dogs can handle and how they can handle it and what they can’t.
Yep! I have a reactive dog, once I see a dog, she’s clipped back on a leash.
You have to give the dogs some time off the leash otherwise they'll be extremely unruly. She should do it in a place where there is no one though to avoid any trouble.
I completely agree. I disagree with Victoria on this one
@@ashperez72 my dog isn’t reactive she just wants to be friends with other dogs and play with them! So I think you’re dog just wants to be friends with the other doggies too
@@ThunderClanFan22 sometimes, even if dogs only have good intentions when approaching another dog, the owner of that other dog may thing that it’s aggression. people don’t like feeling as though their dog is in danger
I have no idea how she has those dogs off leash when they are totally out of control. No common sense very bad dog owner but at least she asked for help.
Literally passed a sign stating for dogs to be leashed. This owner is gambling on her dogs behavior. Having a dog on a leash is protection for the dog. If the dog is off the leash and attacks someone, it could be euthanized. Same reason why parents need to teach kids not to touch random dogs. A child could easily provoke a dog and get bitten. That's what I was taught.
No one seemed to regard the sign, it wasnt just this owner. Everyone thinks they can just let their dogs run and it will all be fine and they have control but its rarely the case.
It was very irresponsible for her to take her dogs off leash if they react that way.
What about the sign "Dogs on leash"? Didn't she read? You cannot let the dogs off leash in that area, it's prohibited!! All dogs should be ON leash when walking in public areas. I have a very big, nice, gentle and trainned dog and still use the leash every time we go on a hike. Very irresponsible owner, but the thing I don't really understand is Victoria encouraging her instead of warning her...
So her dogs have a known problem with other dogs, and she still lets them off-leash??? Is it just me or is that ridiculous?
literally blows my mind
Yes I agree that was very risky and dangerous because they are 1 big dogs, they put a smaller dog to see what big dogs would do which that look like a poodle mix, and poodles are friendly but bossy in a dog kind of way LOL. I think it's called big dog syndrome which many little dogs tend to have that issue...
I would cry if those dogs run to mine ans start barking like that.. mine is scared of them and it would be so hard to solve
No you’re totally right it’s wholly irresponsible, I have one border collie bull terrier mix who’s pretty reactive and dog selective and he’s always ALWAYS on a leash
Not only that, but she's letting them off the lead in an area where it's illegal to do so! They even showed the sign saying "all dogs must be on leash". I usually like Victoria's videos but I'm appalled she even uploaded this. It's extremely inconsiderate and irresponsible to let your dogs off leash in non-designated areas. It's bad for wildlife, and it's dangerous for her dogs and others. As an owner of a reactive dog myself I feel let down by this video. This would have been a great opportunity for Victoria to advocate for all dogs who need a little space by asking her viewers to obey leash laws. Smh.
I definitely hate owners like her when I'm hiking. As a owner of a small shy dog. It agros me to see big untrained dogs trying to reach my dog.
Especially when they have them off-leash 🤦🏻♀️
right, one bite from a dog like hers will cause many months or years of training a dogs fear out of it. not easy.
Same, my male is cool with anyone so he'll just ignore annoying dogs like them but my girl would have an absolute tantrum if she were chased down like that. Both come when called and i'll leash them or tell them not to go over if i see someone coming toward us with a leashed dog. At the end of the day i dont know why they're on a leash.
If i meet dogs like this and they're off leash i'll ask for them to be called back, if the owner can't i'll unleash mine.. that way my girl can create some distance, if i habe her on leash and she gets cornered she'll lash out.
At least this woman knows to stay calm and not make the situation worse which is so very common.. Though interestingly she thinks her staying back and not engaging the dogs to make them worse makes her look like a bad owner.. *that* part actually makes her look like a good owner.. the fact she can't recall her dogs makes her look like a bad owner.
Also, my dog is also pretty shy (like me), and generally doesn't like being around other dogs and gets a bit reactive. However, a lot of his reaction is just too much energy. He's still only 2 so still got a lot of that young energy when on walks, but he's getting a lot better about it.
Strangely enough my large dog who is 13 years old and never shown any form of aggression. For some reason small dogs go for him and the owners think it's highly amusing.
A reactive dog that doesn’t listen. Great idea to let them off leash. 💀
The real question is why are there so many other people willing to let their dogs get bullied by other dogs on a TV show
@@jakejancook I think it's just to see the problematic dogs' bad behavior. I also thought it was strange how no one seemed worried about the smaller dog in the beginning when it was being chased.
@@B0BBYJ4CK That's what I mean, if I had a dog I'd never want to have it around other aggressive dogs
I know! Did anyone else catch the “dogs must be on leash” sign at the trailhead?
Yes it's the best idea!
All of Dawn’s friends’ dogs are leashed on the hike. Why do her dogs need to be unleashed? Especially when they have a demonstrated history of being reactive to dogs (and as Dawn said, to CHILDREN as well). I love you Victoria, but this is a recipe for disaster.
She needed to see the behaviors at first. She did tell her to put them on leash later.
A common mistake is to think that if your dog listens at home, they’ll listen everywhere. You actually need to practice in different environments in order for the dog to understand that “sit” etc. means to do it no matter the place or situation.
Owner training my service dog and learning this one the fun way!
I can’t believe they let those dogs off leash around that little dog! They could’ve killed him and there would be nothing anyone could do about it. They should’ve been wearing muzzles at the very least. This lady likes to hike yet, of all the breeds she could’ve chosen, she got 2 of the breed that’s known for its high prey drive and she’s surprised she’s having a hard time with it.
That part made me really nervous, too - her 2 large over-excited dogs circling around that little dog - ugh.
Pretty sure that dog was a friend. You could see them training with her later.
What breed are they
They knew the smaller dog and had already been socialized around it.
dont let them off the lead if they are aggressive to other dogs omgggg thats annoyed me, common sense.
Why on earth would she let 2 reactive dogs off the lead!! They could attack another dog, even if they don't attack there behaviour could cause another dog to bolt and the get lost and hurt. As someone who works with nervous dogs this lady would be my nightmare
I am scared to death of meeting owners like her tbh, letting her reactive dogs off leash knowing they are reactive 😣
Seriously? You can't control your dogs and they're aggressive, but you let them off leash? This is just asking for a lawsuit.
Right? I laughed when she said they “sound” aggressive… Like no, they ARE aggressive, they literally snapped at another dog.
@@Anna_Dawson they aren’t aggressive, they’re reactive. If they were aggressive like my dog is they couldn’t even greet another dog or walk on the same sidewalk. Reactivity and aggression go hand in hand a lot but they are not the same thing
Not just a lawsuit but it could cost her dogs their lives if animal control impounds them after any bite incident and deems them aggressive.
you do NOT let dogs like this off leash. I have a reactive dog. no way i'd let him be off leash until i know for sure he can handle it. And if thats forever, so be it.
My daughter has a reactive dachshund. I told her about some videos I watched of yours. I got her to wear the treat bag and when she see's a possible situation going to happen she redirects him to focus on her and he knows he'll get a treat. It's been working SO well! It's awesome to be out actually walking him and not trying to hold him back. Thank you so much for your videos and all the help you give to animals and owners(and grandma's that want to take their grandpup for a walk without being knocked over!)
Victoria blows our mind every time ! That women has some insights into dogs. It's amazzzzzzing !
What Victoria are you watching? This Victoria doesn't have a clue 😳.
My favorite was when she said we have great weather lets take advantage of it, spoken like someone from England. The other woman was thinking what are talking about, its like this everyday.
@Charger Fan NY I dunno, I hVe used MANY of her techniques with my husky/Shepard mixes AND my mom's SUPER aggressive blue heeler with fantastic results.
So much irresponsible behavior from this owner and others like her, it's aberrent.
Why would you ever let reactive dogs like this off leash?
why is it a requirement to hike with the dogs off-leash???? i have a reactive dog that I hike with regularly and people like her make our experience a living hell. just make everyone's lives easier and leash your dog.
It is also better for the wildlife to leash your dog. Some birds and small animals nest on the ground. If a dog goes too close to the nest, the nest can be abandoned.
does no one notice the sign that states dogs have to be on the leash? and everyone just lets the dogs run wild
Well, of course people are hating because she doesn’t know common sense. Nobody wants to be around aggressive dogs if they’re not train! I’m traumatized by dogs. So if I see a unleash dog me they’re running around being wild , I get scared. I won’t run but anything can happen
Well to make a different kind of comment to everyone scolding letting the dogs off leash; I found it a very positive change to have a dog owner who may have not been in control but really wanted to change that and work hard for it. Seen a lot of different cases where it needed convincing or even threats to get them to work.
I love how Victoria trains. I even bought her book, she's just so considerate, it's like a breath of fresh air.
Leaps and bounds better than Ceasar Milan, when I watch The Dog Whisperer now, I feel uneasy and sad for the dogs, especially after it's gotten out that he abuses them.
Cesar Milan is a huge bully, I can't stand him. People shouldn't built relationships with their animals on threats and punishment...
Tom Davies, Upstate Canine Academy is the best.
And how do you explain that she encourages this owner to let her reactive dogs off leash in an area that has a sign saying Dogs On Leash just so she can see how they do?? This whole video is extremely disturbing. Jeesh, she watches while her client's dogs basically attack other dogs!
I rescued my dog a few months ago, she was HIGHLY reactive to smaller critters, and had horrible recall. With Victoria's method in this video, she has made a huge turn around! I use the long lead still when we go on trails to hike, shes still a work in progress but I stand by this method!! Its effective and builds a new, relaxed bond with your dogs.
She's also whispering commands. It took someone else tell us that we need to use a stern voice and it made a big difference.
IF YOUR DOG HAS NO RECALL, DON'T LET THEM OFF LEASH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I ran across a woman just like this. She let her aggressive dog off leash while I was walking my dog on the leash. Long story short, her dog crossed the street and snapped at mine. Her dog was bitten and so was she when she punched on my dog instead of trying to restrain her own. She tried to go after me for her dog's vet bills and her own medical bills. Between the witnesses, her dog being off leash, and my dog being deemed unaggressive while in quarantine, I was able to keep my baby. The police refused to press charges and she picked up a fine. Idk what happened with her but her irresponsibility followed by her trying to get my dog removed made me hate people like her.
If the police don’t respond or do anything, call animal control. She could get a lawsuit.
1:12 i mean duh! why do you let your REACTIVE dogs off leash?? yes that is a bad dog owner.
I'd argue, in that case, the reactivity is the smaller issue. The bigger issue is the lack of recall. Even if the dogs wouldn't be reactive. What's she gonna do? Join the "don't worry. He/she is friendly" yelling fraction, whenever they approach dogs outside?
@@PhilippBorn hmm i agree. still though she really shouldn’t be surprised if other dog owners don’t like her for letting two dogs friendly or not approach other dogs
As someone with a reactive dog, and another who can be impulsive, I totally agree. Our dogs are our responsibility. No way I’d let either of them off leash in public, not even in a designated area. I know my furry babies, and I give them the boundaries and leadership they need to be the best behaved they can be.
@@PhilippBorn Sure but even friendly dogs owners are gonna be annoyed with the reactivity. Basically don't let your dog off leash when other dogs might be present who ARENT up for your dog in their face
@@NoThankUBeQuiet 100%, my girl isnt particularly interested in other dogs, if those two pumbled her like that she'd be throwing hands. Gernerally she'd try to avoid them but they dont seem all too avoidable..
If that dog went at my dogs like that, she'd have much bigger fish to fry than people just hating her.
"They think I am a bad dog owner" you are your dogs are reactive with other dogs trying to attack other dogs and you let them off leash 😨
Letting your reactive untrained dog off leash is beyond rude and dangerous to others.
It is so irresponsible to let your dogs off the leash like that. One in most places it's against the law and 2 what happens when they try to greet a dog like mine who is easily scared but can't be picked up? Also 3 it's bad for the environment in some areas because dogs can harm the local wildlife
Owners like her are the reason there are restrictive leash laws and fines even for the dogs who are actually good off-leash. Pretty sick of people ruining off-leash time for all dogs.
She really thought the dogs would have a solid recall after one day of training?
Proper use of an e collar would work. People who are against it just don't understand what they are. Imagine hiking in nature and hearing that annoying whistle non stop.
@@lindagray1809 You should not have use it non stop... And using the e collar non stop would not have an effect either, just make the dog confused
Dawn should have sense to not let her dogs off leash on a hike. I hike often with my pomeranians and it's people like her that have no control over her dogs and mine wind up getting hurt. I have no respect when irresponsible dog owners do this. Dawn is a selfish person to do this.
why tf is her dog off leash KNOWING other dogs are there and they aren’t trained
Wow, they get so aggressive & hyped up that they even attack each other.
That's dangerous.
Attacked or corrected, dogs can give each other a little snap as a correction. Its not an attack.
I saw that happened with some dogs in my neighborhood. The house has 3 dogs and when it’s nice, they’re all out there. I walked by with my dog, and they all got hyped and barky that 2 of the dogs ended up fighting each other. The owner broke them up and was like, omg, what the hell is wrong with you two? All I kept thinking was this episode.
I definitely get very frustrated with other dogs that are not controlled well either. I get it that it’s rough but they certainly can get advice from a trainer and if they can’t afford training, check out Google and UA-cam. I’ve had dogs my whole life, a total of three, two of which lived a full life and I currently have number three who is six years old. Every one of them have been attacked by another dog off the leash, while we’re on a walk. While my dogs were okay, that was unacceptable and I had to report it. Please control your dogs!
Omg serious when you adopt a dog 🐶 always DO UR RESEARCH then train them it so important
Nah man, research first. What if you can’t handle the dog?
To bad, I don't need Victoria's services bc our dog is so well behaved. But would be fun to see her reacting to our Swissy/Malemute mix, well, he was very easy to train. 😎But a little stubborn at times, when he doesn't want something then I do have to talk like I mean it🤗
As soon as my family chose the dog breed my dad and i started doung research
Soo Beautiful to see them both following Victoria when she’s introducing the “close” command both dogs are prancing hand happy
if your dog is reactive at all they should absolutely not be off leash for any reason. i can tell you that if any dog ever were to ever do that with my dog there would be a major issue cause he never hesitates to fight back. as much as he is good most of the time i would never consider letting him off leash because of that. it’s because of people like this that stuff happens. it’s about being a smart responsible dog owner so that you not only keep your dog or dogs safe but you keep the public safe and other people’s dogs.
My male dog tries to correct my female when they encounter other people or dogs, similar to what these dogs did in the beginning. Alone my male is friendly towards everyone. My female is a bit skittish. Together they'll both be barking and lunging but my male will be wagging his tail, even though he seems to be the most reactive. Mine are Australian shepherds, over 60 lbs.
What was seen here isn't the dogs correcting each other. It's redirection of frustration just like Victoria said. They both are reactive and try to get at other dogs. They don't get to, so they redirect that frustration to each other. It's not dangerous though because neither dog was actually trying to hurt the other. It's basically their way of being like "DID YOU SEE THAT?! THAT WAS A DOG!! WE DIDN'T GET TO MEET IT!! I'M ANGRY ARE YOU ANGRY?!" It's similar to how a child would react if you never teach them how to interact with others. It usuallly turns to frustration and aggression nearly instantly because they don't know what to do.
@@Eventide215 good explanation. This is definitely the most similar behavior to my dogs behavior while on the leash.
@@trekketoo You need to apply the same things Victoria did here most likely. For greetings you start with they get to just acknowledge the dog exists. Get a friend that'll pass by a few times and keep your dogs distanced. Each time let them get a little closer. Eventually let them actually close in, get a good sniff, say hello, and move on (3 second greet). Doing this lets you gradually teach your dog that as long as they're calm they can greet for longer periods. Maybe even getting to play a bit as well.
Something very important though is learning different greeting behaviors.. a lot of uninformed dog owners don't know the differences. Like I've seen many people that would see what happened here as aggressive, then start panicking thinking someone's going to get hurt, etc. Neither of these dogs were ever aggressive and the owner knew that. She may not have had them under control, but she knew they weren't aggressive. They just had a lot of energy and didn't really know how to show that in a positive way.
Sounds like the male is dominant or trying to be. Also could be possiseve, wants all the attention for him.. is he fixed? Are both (or any) of them fixed?? How much training do they have? Did you get them together, or one at a time??
Wagging their tails doesn`t mean they are safe around other dogs.Look at any UA-cam video and dogs attacking people or other dogs will wag their tails!
Owners like this are exactly why I can't walk my dog without fear. He's become reactive due to how many bad situations he's been on with loose dogs that are not under control. He didn't have this problem when he was younger until he was attacked multiple times by rambunctious bigger dogs. I've asked owners to PLEASE keep their dogs away/leashed and they always respond by either failing to recall completely or saying "oh, he's/she's friendly," (and by that, they usually mean friendly in the "get all up in your face/jump on/etc. kind of "friendly.") Great. My dog ISN'T anymore and I just want to be able to take him on a peaceful walk so that he can get exercise and stimulation because he enjoys it so much and aside from random dogs running up to him, he walks wonderfully on the leash.
I know how you feel. I've had the same experience, and my dog is now really anxious about other dogs.
Same here 🤚🏽
This is the second owner I've seen on this show with two reactive and aggressive dogs that they know they can't control but still let them off leash. At least these two didn't almost attack a jogger on camera
If she doesn't stop letting them off leash, they are going to hurt another dog or get hurt themselves. I love dogs, and these aren't bad dogs, but I promise you if any dog runs up on my leashed dogs and it's a choice between my dogs getting hurt and the other dog getting hurt, I will make sure my dogs aren't on the losing end
7:31 there's a knot in the line. A knot reduces a line's strength by about 70%. So know you have a leash with only 30% strength. Always remove knots from a line
Yanking on a flat collar isn't helping.
Wow, thanks
12:25 is simple keep your dog on leash, there's a sign here aaaaaaaaa
Seriously lol, I walk my dog in these canyons too and this lady ain’t the only one with out of control dogs running free on the trails 🙃
Hugs for Victoria 🥰
I think it’s important for owners to understand that dogs aren’t great at "transference of skills". So just because they’re recalling well in a controlled environment doesn’t mean they know that the same behavior is expected in a more stimulating location. That’s why she needed to keep Harper on the long lead to help with successful recall on a hike which would bridge the learned behavior from one place to another.
"They think I'm being a bad owner" No darling you are a bad owner. Letting them off the lead when you know their dog aggressive is reckless and selfish. My god you shouldn't be allowed to own dogs
Yea I agree
great training video... but for future reference on trail its advised against using a whistle for a dog, as a whistle is carried by hikers so it can be used as a call for help. if dog people use whistles it can not only be mistakingly taken as a signal for help by nearby trail hands or other hikers.. but it might also cover the whistle of a hiker who is in genuine need of help.
That’s a good information! Thank you!
Having a reactive dog off leash when they have 0 recall is so god damn dangerous. No wonder other dog walkers hate her.
I work with training reactive dogs and would never have one without a efficient recall off leash in public.
Wow I have 2 pitbulls and would never let them off leash if they acted like that. Thankfully my dogs are not aggressive towards any other dogs but if the were I’d never take the chance
Keep your dog on a leash. Not only is it potentially dangerous for nearby humans, it’s dangerous for your dog! Smh.
This is such a wild myth. Domestic dogs, aside from a few specific breeds (ones literally bred for this reason), aren't actually that vicious when not on their own territory. Your lack of knowledge in the department, and acting like you're superior to a world reknown top dog training expert, now that's "smh" worthy.
@@Eventide215 they said absolutely nothing about dogs being naturally territorial and aggressive. they're referring to the fact that she knows her dogs are uncontrollably reactive around other dogs, but let's them off leash in a public area anyways. your lack of knowledge of a basic sentence is what id call a "smh" moment
@Eventide
Oh, shut up. I had my dog bitten twice this year from when we went hiking
We did the "focus" training on our dog whenhe was a puppy maybe 4-6 months old. He now thinks "focus" means "look around and see if there are other dogs or other fun things that my owners don't want me to engage with".
Sounds like you use this command only in situations it was needed? Training should be done everyday and in different situations and surroundings. Sometimes with distraction, sometimes without and unpredictable for the dog.
Victoria is wonderful. Gives you answers and helps you through the whole process. Doesn't leave you hanging 🥰
The way I would pepper spray those dogs so fast if they came charging up to my dog like that. Feel so bad these dogs got stuck with such an idiotic owner that has no common sense like literally zero. Wish Victoria could’ve told her how dangerous that was to let dogs like that offleash.
That kind of owner is the reason my son went through so many reconstructive surgeries on his face. A family members dog attacked him when he was 4 years old. They think of no one but themselves.
She is a good dog trainer
"I cant grab my dogs and people are yelling at me and hating me"
Gee i wonder why 😂
I have the exact same problem with my dog. Luckily she only's 8 kilo. Would not be able to control it whatsoever if she was bigger. 😢 I stay home most of the time because of this.
Just use a leash
I had the problem of my rescue lunging at other dogs at walks. I took notes from Victoria's videos and tried some methods. With my doggo, it helped when we went to the other side of the walkway (as far from the other dog as possible) where I made him sit with me positioned so that I was between him an the other dog. I then took a treat next to my face and asked my dog to look at me. I start doing that as soon as I see the other dog, othervise my dog would get riled up seeing the other dog get closer. Sometimes the other dog is more interesting than the treat, but even then the reaction is not as strong and he could actually meet the dog nicely.
I have also tried the "close" command where I have a treat in my hand so we could walk past other dogs with my dog walking nicely next to me.
I hope you try some of Victoria's methods to see if some would work for you. It's certainly not good for you and your doggo to stay at home at all times, and I know it's hard to feel anxious every time you leave the house and hope you don't encounter other dogs.
"Look At That" training has been INSANELY helpful for my dog who is reactive to other dogs on leash. Basically using the sound of a clicker or a "look" command while she's focused on another dog to get her attention off of it, looking at me, and giving her a treat. Then she's allowed to look again, disengage, treat, repeat. It's helped our troubles immensely and she will only really react now if a dog gets right up in her personal space on leash (she doesn't feel like she has an escape route so meetings are very stressful for her).
If your dog is this way around other dogs to to parks early am or late evening when nobody is around they still need exercise the life of a dog should Not be spent indoors 24/7 when there's beautifulw weather outside especially
I hate it when people don’t listen to Victoria. She tells them exactly what to do, it’s all so simple, and they still don’t listen.
1:12 the dogs weren’t displaying aggressive behaviour, they were trying to initiate play (based on body language- play bows, tail not too high and barking because the dog didn’t want to play back) but I think obviously they should be on a leash because that interaction was still too intrusive and overwhelming to the other dog. But often times dogs are reactive on lead because there’s no escape and they feel ‘trapped’, but off lead these dogs don’t seem reactive, so learning greeting manners using a long line I think is great
Why would you unleash your reactive dog that doesn’t listen to you at all, on a walk!!!!!!! I can’t stand people like that
Keep him on the leash. Three second greeting. It's not that difficult. I don't know how Victoria does it sometimes
12:25 - hang on, the owner wants to walk her dogs off leash in an area with a sign that clearly says "Dogs on Leash"?
My dog is super reactive too. Following Victoria Stilwell's tips has led to huge improvement in his behaviour, but he still overreacts when he comes too close to medium/large dogs (especially males). Here in Sydney it is illegal to let your dog off the lease unless the area is specifically off-leash. Your dog may be friendly, but my dog doesn't like it! Safer for everyone to respect the rules.
Those dogs should never be off leash
Her: my dogs are super reactive
Also her: lets them off leash💀
is she not aware of what breed of dogs she has?? I’m just so confused as to why she let them off leash when they’re reactive and that’s so dangerous..
Are you aware of what breed these dogs are??
They look like mutts to me.
They definitely aren't
American pit bull terriers.
Even though at the start she had little control over the dogs I like the fact she never lost her temper and yelled
IKR? I hate people with anger issues that dump them on dogs. Like that horrible dude that beat up the dog and bullied his son for his ptsd
Anyone who knows a thing about dog training..you know that leash aggression and off leash bullying takes more than just a couple of days..but hey, this is tv magic right !!! 😴this is an issue of no solid foundation, lack of knowledge from the owner and there is no correction for not following the command..
I have a Rottweiler and have had 2 off the leash greyhound dogs come up and start nipping at her, the owner was such an inconsiderate cow the only reason she actually moved and got her dogs is cause I told her I would let my dog off the leash to defend herself and it won’t look pretty for her greyhound’s. Seriously reminds me of this woman
The dogs: *Catches another dog in their line of sight*
The owner: Please no, don't-
The dog: *_I am speed_*
My dog. Chomp
My dogs would shut it down
My ex step father did this with our dog Misty. She was badly abused and did not like other people and other dogs. He let her of the lease she bit someone. (A few times) She loved me… but I was terrified of her.
In what world is she not a bad mom??? She unleashes her dogs without having a proper re call
Victoria is so kind !!!
You ARE a bad dog owner if you let your *reactive* dogs off leash. You ARE an absolutely TERRIBLE dog owner if you let your *UNTRAINED AND REACTIVE* dogs off leash. This is not a hard concept.
My dog is also aggressive when encountering other dogs, specifically on a leash. She is fine off leash in enclosed parks. But on normal walks or on hikes she can get aggressive. Only issue is she isn’t food motivated at all. A treat would NEVER get her attention over charging a dog. Tips?
So, my dog need a toy, if a dog comes we just play gentle tug (I taught him the command gentle) and he never barks. Whenever I go without a toy he barks so it will take time, that’s no doubt for sure. But just know if you teach your dog how to focus using a toy, bam, your gonna be fine. Let me know if you want more of an explanation of what to do to teach the actual commands. My dog gets to excited when it comes to treats to teaching him with treats was impossible. I taught him paw, stay, come, walk with me, focus, sit, lay down, and etc. all with toys. Good luck :) how old is she by the way?
A favourite toy can be very good. It could also depend what kind of food you're trying to use- a dry biscuit, for example, may be way less motivating than a piece of cooked chicken or something.
Tom Davies, Upstate Canine Academy.
I’m glad she was able to learn how to manage her dogs better! ☺️✨💖
I mean yeah, me and my dog would absolutely hate them too if they came to bark at her in her face. I see the potential for so many things going wrong there...
The Focus command is a great idea, I need to try it, my dog is not reactive but easily distracted by smells and whatnot.
Didn't like Harper having the long leash attached to the collar, that's dangerous.
Why is the long leash dangerous
@@kailester4807 If the dog takes off running and she doesn't let go off the leash (and let's assume she can stay firmly on her feet and the dog doesn't drag her with him), once he gets to the end he's going to get forcefully jerked back and the impact might injure his neck. This happened to my dog years ago (I was much less knowledgeable then), the way she was pulled back was, shall we say, pretty spectacular. It was only months later that I realized how lucky we were that the only part that got bruised there was her ego. I ditched the long leash no long after that episode, I didn't need it anymore and in any case it's pretty awkward to handle. Long leashes should only be used with harnesses; the same goes for retractable and seatbelt leashes.
A question: how do you do the close training with small dogs? For me to do that with my little mutt I would need to be all hunched over. She has a kind of a recall, but it doesn't work when she sees a bird or a butterfly. I only let her off leash in a grassfield in a park that had no one around, and she did better than I thought she would. I thought I was ready to train her, but I failed miserably and I'm not really sure what to do. I'll try to use these techniques and see if it works.
You can train a heel on leash and use leash pressure to cue for the right position, and you can also toss treats on the ground away from the trigger so she puts her nose down and disengages from the distraction. You can also teach other tricks like spinning, jumping up on things, putting her front feet up on things, basically anything to maintain her attention on you while you're passing a trigger. Increasing distance from the trigger is probably the most important part, until the heel is really really solid.
Why do people INSIST on having their dog off the lead as if it’s some kind of right they have!?
My dog is petrified of other dogs and the amount of off lead dogs with no recall come over unwanted is ridiculous!
2:17 GREAT TIMING HAHAHAA🤣🐰
I think this is a very irresponsibile behavior.
I own a pitbull and she is huge and she is really reactive to other dogs (although she has few dog friends).
I always walk my dog on a leash, use the muzzle and i’d never imagine to let her off leash or without a muzzle, even tough my dog is an awkward ball of emotion and muscles (yep, she cries a lot)
First of all, in my country dog owners should always carry a muzzle with them.
Second of all, god forbid, i don’t want to put my dog to sleep if she bits another dog.
Maybe i’m being to anxious about it, but i just want to be responsible
You are doing the right thing. It's better safe than sorry. Purebred American pit bull terriers like those registered with the ADBA,BFKC, SDR, commonly have some level of dog aggression. With some of them being severely aggressive towards other dog's. Sometimes it comes on with age other times it's brought on by a scuffle. Often when a Gamebred American pit bull terrier starts showing dog aggression they will always be a danger to other dogs. American pit bull terriers were bred for dog fighting for more than 75 years. Always pay close attention if you let your dog play with other dog's everything can be going well
Antel it's not. This can happen faster than a person can react. I had a male that was not trusted around any other male dog and he needed to be carefully introduced to females. Because if he wasn't sure that they were a female before they got to close it was bite first sniff later.
Why do people take dog fightings breed, do you really that confidence boost for being carried around by a dangerous dog breed. Can't you just go to the gym ?
you are 100% doing the right thing. Thanks!
That's why I decided not to get another dog especially cause I don't get support at home with the training, one big dog is enough for me cause I do everything by myself now if I had two dogs it was gonna be super hard training them both. Even if I get another one in future none of my family members will walk the poor dog.
I just thought nicely about it, even though I really want another dog but I rather not cause it will be too much pressure on me.
The dramatic squirrel made me laugh.
Very good training advice.I have three dogs to walk and one of my dogs is reactive towards certain people so he wears a muzzle when off leash.I am doing pretty well with recall but room for improvement so I like the idea of using a whistle and treats.Thank you👍😄
So, I have a dog that loves playing with other dogs. He's super reactive but in a weird manner. He will sit but bounce up and down on his front feet (picture Tigger, off Winnie the pooh) he is an American staffing that has been socialized and goes everywhere with me. So my question is is he reactive but just wants to play? Or do I approach the training differently?
Please don't use a long leash like that on a collar. Use a harness instead. Dogs can seriously injure themselves when they run into their collar at full speed. :/
Yeah I was surprised to see that. Especially with a dog that lunges like Harper, he's going to end up with bad damage to his throat.
These dogs would drag her all over the place on a harness. She wouldn't have a hope of holding onto both of them if they were wearing harness as a harness allows them to pull even more.
@@kimberleyhand5663 Not even gonna get into how it's very possible to train your dog to *not* pull without relying on inflicting pain (which is basically why they allegedly pull less on a collar, right? Because harnesses are more comfortable, which you somehow consider to be a disadvantage), you're basically saying that it's okay for the dogs to get seriously injured because the human failed to a) train them and b) think about what she can handle *before* getting them. That basically tells me it's futile to try to reason with you.
The only way to stop a dog from pulling in a harness is to train them not to and if you have to train them not to pull in a harness then you can do the same thing in a flat collar. Harness can inflict discomfort on dogs as well (which is how so called no pull harness work, they restrict free and easy movement of the front leg muscles and do actually alter a dogs gait which has been scientifically proven). A flat collar was not designed to inflict pain or discomfort. They are a safe tool for a dog to wear 24/7 and are primarily used to hold a dogs ID. The key with any tool is to train your dog. Any tool can be misused and can inflict pain and/or discomfort when used incorrectly.
@@kimberleyhand5663 Nothing you said changes the fact that if the dogs run with the long leashes and get stuck somewhere or are held back, it's much more dangerous on a collar. Obviously harnesses have to fit well and there are some types that are harmful (no pull harnesses among them, luckily where I live people rarely use torture instruments like that). One has nothing to do with the other though. Just think about wehther you'd rather do a bungee jump with a harness around your chest or a noose around your neck...
Can i know after how long i can stop using the treats and depend only on cocal commands
If it has been a few months and the dog aced the training, then it is safe to not use treats. But you have to be consistent with the training, if the command hasn't been used in a couple months, then you will have to reuse the treat command to remind the dog of the lessons.
I have a dog that I trained ever since he was a puppy so he is very well behaved he doesn't look in the direction of other things when we're on walks he'll perk his ears up but nothing else I started taking him on walks with my friends dog she was as bad some dogs I've seen on here but she was impulsive when seeing other dogs she'd bark and snarl at things but my dog and me of course started to teach what and what not to do and now she is almost just like him.
I was cringing when she let them off leash. What was she thinking!
I'm just so surprised that dogs are allowed off leash where she is (Texas? California? I can't tell)
Not CA dog's can't be of leash in California. There are also strict tethering Laws. Making it so that dog's can't be on a chain. Even tho a proper chain setup is not a bad way for a dog to be kept. It's much better than being locked in a crate or in a room for 8 hours a day.
The video even shows a sign saying it's illegal to have dogs off-leash there!!
Both of my dogs are extremely reactive when they go out on a leash they have a muzzles on.
You’re a smart dog owner
Lose the collars for a start. Harness. Plus dogs should NOT be off lead if she can't control them.
Harnesses aren’t always the answer. It can give, especially a big dog, an easier time pulling you around. I used to use one on my mastiff mix and it was continuous pulling, even in the “no pull” harnesses. My trainer recommended a prong collar to start, and she’s been a dream to walk ever since. I use the prong collar when we go anywhere where she might get too distracted to listen and she walks amazingly. She has started to pull less when I just take her out to potty as well, without the prong, so I can start working on using it less. If used properly, the prong collar is the way to go. A harness just allows a dog to pull with their whole body, instead of just their neck.
@@winry2357 prong collar!? They are cruel. You wear one and if you obey. Why? Cause it hurts. 😠
@@Sanddaal it mimics the mother correcting the pup. She nips at the neck when her pup gets out of line and the pup corrects their behavior. I don’t ever yank on the collar, if she decides to lunge, I just hold on and say “no” as the leash reaches its end. She basically checks her own behavior. The skin on the neck of a dog is much thicker than ours, which is why it hurts us when we get chocked out with a necklace, but a dog will drag you around even with a collar on. The only time I’ve ever had to yank on her collar was when she went after the one dog on the planet that she seems to have issues with, after which, she left the dog alone and just lay by my feet. I can walk with a loose leash with the prong collar, anything else and I’m being dragged around by her. She normally walks decent, but if she decides to go after something, she’s nearly ripped my arm out of its socket before. The prong collar has made it so I can walk her with ease and without worrying about her.
@Abby A harness might not solve the problem of pulling but at least the dog is not chocking and damaging their neck.
As for that horrid prong. A spike collar is NEVER the same as a mum. No amount of me commenting will change your opinion so let's leave it at that. Just remember to wear one your self.
@@Sanddaal I've put a prong on my own neck before and yanked on it in several directions and it's NOT painful. Also remember a dogs skin is WAAAAAY less sensitive than a human. They look extremely cruel but they're actually not, although you have to place it high up the neck which people don't always do and that can be a problem