Hi, hoping you can all help me. I have an 11 month nervous lab. Great at home, crate trained, toilet trained, sleeps very well. He is a nervous dog, skittish around certain things and so I feel I am tuned into his behaviour well. I’ve been to a trainer 4 times. He barks so loud around strangers, people who visit us and in public. My anxiety levels hit an all time high when he gets like this. I have tried clicker training as suggested but it simply doesn’t work, he’s stubborn and either wants the stranger to go away or for us to walk on. All I wanted was a friendly playful dog that people could pet and support us to look after him. I now feel like that’s never going to happen.
Find a certified BAT trainer. The person will be able to explain how to attempt to desensitise and countercondition your dog. If you can't find such a trainer in your area, then buy a copy of Grisha Stewart's Behavior Adjustment Training: BAT 2.0 for Fear, Frustration, and Aggression in Dogs. Study the book. If not clear on anything, then raise questions here. We may be able to help.
Thank you Michael. I did have a behavioural trainer albeit I’m not sure of exact certification. I’ve been standing outside supermarkets, carparks with a clicker and treats to counter condition from he was 15 weeks old. He just seems to of worsened since 7months which I understand can be secondary phase stage but it’s not improving at all. I’ll search the book you suggested as I’m at a stage I’ll try anything.
Although one would have to view you two, it sounds as if you haven't used distance to keep the dog's arousal level low. There is a chapter in Stewart's book on dog body language. That might prove to be helpful material. Another set of books that are bristling with ideas falls under the general title of Control Unleashed by Leslie McDevitt. I find her writing style makes for heavy going. But a fair bit of work at sorting through her arguments pays handsome dividends. You might find her style highly accessible.
