I was wondering how to progress with muzzle training. Mack does well in the house with his muzzle, letting me put it on and wearing it around the house for a bit, probably cause he knows he's getting treats. Though once we get outside for a walk he instantly tries to get it off and doesnt care about anything else. I'm wondering how to get him more comfortable with it for walks? Thanks

The reason I’m reaching out is because of my own dog, Bruce hes a Pit Bull x American Bulldog mix with some Mastiff, hound, and maybe Boxer in there too. He’s around 3 years old and he’s not your average aggression case. I’ve put a ton into him structure, obedience, corrections, counter conditioning, alternative behaviours, drive outlets and he’s made huge improvements. I don’t know much of his history because he was once homeless in Arizona but I am assuming he was bred for dog fighting I have met with a few other trainers they all say I have done great things with the dog but it’s not just his genetics and to keep doing what I have been doing but not to expect anymore change from him. The story about Bruce is I was fostering him in Arizona when I was staying with my Grandma, he was a very shut down dog who was skin and bone, my Dad came to pick him up because the breed isn’t allowed on the air plane my sister then came to visit before my arrival home and he being super affectionate and loving with her but then once I got back she became his main trigger and still is (she lives in BC so I can do much training with her present), he is quite neutral from my training and can be around people in settings such as bass pro, Canadian tire etc and be completely neutral but he can go from completely neutral to full out aggressive with no warning. He is definitely harder than the average aggressive or reactive dog because it’s not dealing with fear, poor handling, or lack of socialization (not saying he had proper training through his fear stages but that is typically changeable) when Bruce is good he’s good but I need to treat him carefully most trainers even the ones who’ve been doing this a long time would admit a dog like him creates some subconscious stress just because of how quickly things can turn if you make the wrong move Food drives him but he’ll quit if it’s withheld too long. Toys are hit or miss he’ll go hard for 10 minutes in drive but isn’t naturally obsessed, I typically reward through premack nd if you deny him the win he shuts down fast praise and attention have been his best dopamine release I learned how to manage him well but I also feel like I’ve taken him as far as I can by myself.

And he’s doing so well. His only quirk is when I grab the leash to take him for a walk, he runs and hides under the couch 😢. I don’t think I use the collar excessively on our walks (and it’s at the lowest level) and I let him ‘free’ at times to sniff etc. without having to ‘heel’ the entire time. Even if I leave the house to see if he’ll follow, I’ll go back inside after a bit and he’s still ducked under the couch. Any ideas??

Wedge is happy to be home and his behaviour indoors has been stellar. Place, down and even though we aren't supposed to be working on it, he does it naturally - under have been really good and pretty consistent. Have accumulated a few questions for Thursday evening as we are still struggling outside. Loose leash seems ok and he is working hard on staying in place. Going through doorways is also pretty good. (Autodown outside needs some work but I'm giving him grace as he doesn't always fit where we stop and there are a lot of puddles where we are) Inside it is better. But.... when he sees another dog, a toy he wants in a planter, and in the elevator when someone gets on he wants to meet he seems to be able to ignore CALL - and the reminders. He is lunging and pulling and largely ignoring stemming even on a 4. I checked the collar placement but will check again with you tonight. He seems to acknowledge the stem except when he thinks he has a really good reason to ignore it...

Hi there! I’m still taking Royal camping and honestly we are making steady progress. I know not to just run into the trailer to get something without Jim outside (the dogs are secured to trees). That’s when she decides to charge at things she was previously ignoring. But there is one family in our friend group that she has charged and bitten before (pre Arsenal). She seems to still charge barking and scare them even though they have been standing there talking with us and all was fine till they started moving. They are not agreeing to sit and drop treats anywhere near her, don’t blame them. What is the best way to work with them and Royal to try and come to some truce. Honestly the more they keep their distance, the worse it is getting when they walk into her area by mistake. Everyone else she is doing really well with. Thankyou