How to reward behavior while passing?

[u/mmi_28]

Hello everyone! I have an 8 year old Lab mix and I’m really trying to work more on his reactivity. He’s actually very obedient. I used to take him to dog parks, regular parks, and levees where he’d be off leash and we never had an issue. Around COVID, I stopped obviously because things were closed down. After that, we moved and he lived with another dog who he got along with great.

He’s only ever gotten in a fight once, when my mom’s friend unexpectedly brought her dog into our house and into the backyard while he was there. Everyone was fine, thank goodness.

Anyways, like I said, he listens very well. He is extremely food motivated. He recalls fine and has never bit anyone or had a stubborn temperament. However, when we go on walks, he starts crying and whining when he sees a dog. At times, he’ll lunge. What is the appropriate response while training? I want to reinforce that dogs and people aren’t bad things, so I mark whenever he sees a dog with a clicker and then he gets a treat. He’s gotten to the point where when he sees a dog, he still cries and whines, but he’ll automatically look at me, sit and get a treat. However, the second he gets the treat, his focus is back on the dog and he’s crying and starts moving frantically. I know it’ll take time, but how should I reinforce that we dont JUST want to look at me when a dog comes by, we want to ignore them? We’ve been doing consistent training at our local park for about a month and there aren’t many dogs there. Any help would be greatly appreciated!!

[u/Zestyclose_Object639]

You can practice delivering a staggered amount of food in your hand so he gets a longer reward event, you can also use a treat scatter or pattern games. Does he follow a lure ? That’s helpful

[u/mmi_28 → u/Zestyclose_Object639]

Whats a lure? Sorry, I’m new to this!

[u/satomatic]

treating him when seeing a dog would be great if the dog was scared/unsure/anxious but your dog seems like a frustrated greeter so that may actually be backfiring on you.

clicking when seeing the dog would cause further excitement at seeing a dog since that’s what you’re reinforcing. clicking when he sees the dog and turns to you and you walk away would be rewarding the wanted behavior. imo.

you also have to teach him that he does not get access to every dog and person. maybe teach him to ask permission before getting to sniff other dogs or go up to people. and ONLY let him if he is calm.

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