I have a nearly 4 year old Sheltie named Kai, I got him when he was a puppy. He's my first dog and I researched for ages before buying him, read every dog training book I could get my hands on, went to a reputable breeder, I thought I was ready. Now I'm at the point where I regret getting a dog, or more specifically, getting a Sheltie (not that I can do anything about it at this point, we're way too attached to each other, I wouldn't dream of giving him away. I'm just frustrated).
He's always had a tendency for barking and lunging at cars, motorcycles, bikes, skateboards, etc. when going on walks. In his puppy kingergarten class the trainer said he seems like he'll be great on walks with a little work. I feel like over the years I've tried every method under the sun. Bringing treats to distract him, getting him to sit, getting his attention on me, etc. etc. Sometimes the food works, other times he deems the car more interesting and lunges with absolutely no regard to any commands I give him.
What's interesting is that last year my uncle lived with me for several months, and he's never owned a dog in his life, but he'd take Kai on walks with him and I noticed such a huge change in his behavoir. My uncle wasn't doing anything special, just giving him a stern 'no' when he'd act out, but after a few weeks Kai didn't pay attention to a single car. He wouldn't even glance at huge noisy trucks rushing by. Imagine my surprise, I honestly didn't think it was possible
I was a little bummed out that my dog listened to someone else so easily when I was struggling for ages with him, but I was relieved that the behavoir seemed fixed.
Pffft. As if. My uncle left a few months ago and I swear Kai's behavoir has gotten even worse than it was in the beginning. Before he would usually reserve the intense lunging for particularily loud/fast/big vehicles but now he has a reaction to every single one. Sometimes he'll even lunge/pull towards random people on the sidewalk out of nowhere. Leaving the house with him is embarrasing, it's honestly giving me anxiety at this point. I want to go on long walks and exercise my dog and take him places with me but it feels next to impossible because he behaves as if it's his first time being outside every time. I'm kind of jealous of my friends, who have dogs that have never been to a training class in their life but just naturally act normal.
Sorry for the long rant, I'm just very frustrated at this point. I'm not mad at my dog, and I love him very much- more than anything I'm upset with myself because I can't get him under control. If I had the money I would hire a private trainer. I probably should have gone with a different breed, one that doesn't have a tendency to be so reactive, but too late for that now.
He's always had a tendency for barking and lunging at cars, motorcycles, bikes, skateboards, etc. when going on walks. In his puppy kingergarten class the trainer said he seems like he'll be great on walks with a little work. I feel like over the years I've tried every method under the sun. Bringing treats to distract him, getting him to sit, getting his attention on me, etc. etc. Sometimes the food works, other times he deems the car more interesting and lunges with absolutely no regard to any commands I give him.
What's interesting is that last year my uncle lived with me for several months, and he's never owned a dog in his life, but he'd take Kai on walks with him and I noticed such a huge change in his behavoir. My uncle wasn't doing anything special, just giving him a stern 'no' when he'd act out, but after a few weeks Kai didn't pay attention to a single car. He wouldn't even glance at huge noisy trucks rushing by. Imagine my surprise, I honestly didn't think it was possible
I was a little bummed out that my dog listened to someone else so easily when I was struggling for ages with him, but I was relieved that the behavoir seemed fixed. Pffft. As if. My uncle left a few months ago and I swear Kai's behavoir has gotten even worse than it was in the beginning. Before he would usually reserve the intense lunging for particularily loud/fast/big vehicles but now he has a reaction to every single one. Sometimes he'll even lunge/pull towards random people on the sidewalk out of nowhere. Leaving the house with him is embarrasing, it's honestly giving me anxiety at this point. I want to go on long walks and exercise my dog and take him places with me but it feels next to impossible because he behaves as if it's his first time being outside every time. I'm kind of jealous of my friends, who have dogs that have never been to a training class in their life but just naturally act normal.
Sorry for the long rant, I'm just very frustrated at this point. I'm not mad at my dog, and I love him very much- more than anything I'm upset with myself because I can't get him under control. If I had the money I would hire a private trainer. I probably should have gone with a different breed, one that doesn't have a tendency to be so reactive, but too late for that now.
). 
