Member Questions 8-1-26

Jane

hello, Robert What do you think about prong collar? Is it because people keep pulling on the prong collar that dogs feel non-stop pressure that dogs would not stop when they are in reactive mode.

Cindy

Hey Robert, we have a neighbour on our street with 2 Cane Corsos. One is 10yo and the “puppy” is 9 months old. Whenever he walks them together past our house, Promise (6mths) goes nuts with intense barking (we have a raised front deck) … in fact lots of the dogs up and down our street do the same thing with these two. He has control of them, they both walk by his side, but the young one does get a bit excited. What is with that reaction from the other dogs? We have lots of other dogs that go by with no issues.

Zach

Hi Robert - My partner and I are working to create a weekly plan for our 2.5 year old Belgian Malinois/Shepherd mix to help socialize her. She recently had difficulty with our sitter as shared here and barking and I appreciate your advice to have her RESET and to begin neutral with people coming and going and not interacting with her. However, we are looking to create a more detailed socialization plan and are curious what that may look like? How often should we be socializing her both at home and in public? Should this include a certain amount of time? Should both my partner and I be with her? She does well with people and their dogs in public on walks just minding her own and being neutral which is great! We think she gets more nervous at our home. But yeah mostly just curious what a structured schedule may look like? Thank you!

Michael

Robert, Ever since my 12 month old GSD had her estrous cycle she has been very reactive in general, especially with speeding and loud cars which is the norm where I live. She currently has a 3mm Herm prong collar with a cliclock buckle which isn’t easy putting it on her with her thick double coat. I also recently realized it was too tight because her skin was inflamed and I have recently loosened it. I would try to pop the collar right before the car would pass or tell her to sit but nothing seems to work. Do you think I should get a chain collar like you had mentioned in the previous week with the dog that was frightened? I know I make a lot of mistakes but I am trying my best. As always any advice is much appreciated.

Byron

I was recommended to your site by a friend. I recently brought home a 7.5-month-old female Giant Schnauzer. She has quickly bonded with me, comes to work with me, and stays by my side. However, she is exhibiting territorial and resource-guarding behaviors—especially toward my wife, female employees, and our older Pitbull when toys, food, or my space/presence are involved. She also has severe separation anxiety when I leave her crate area.

I’m starting basic obedience and having my wife hand-feed her. How should I correct this without hurting potential future Schutzhund training?

Taylor

My name is Taylor. I have a 65 lb, 2-year-old rescue (Pyrenees/Pit/Shepherd mix) named Lucy. She’s smart, crate trained, and usually loving. However, she’s showing unpredictable "Mr. Hyde" growling/barking episodes—mostly around her open crate, at night near my bed, or in doorway threshold spaces. She has a history of resource guarding, foreign object ingestion, and recent bowel surgery.

This behavior triggers my past trauma/PTSD, leaving me hyper-vigilant. I want to build a safe adventure partner using balanced training. Given her medical past, how should I proceed?