Socialized as a puppy and lots of trainers but no success

[IzzieD]

I have a mini schnauzer who is almost 4 years old. I've spent a fortune on training--all except one who I dropped early on was based on positive reinforcement--clicker training, training with treats based on introduction to stimuli that are arousing, etc. The problem is that Izzie reacts to almost everything on a walk--especially children, and of course other dogs. She sees them way in the distance, tenses up and starts to pull and then when they pass she goes crazy--barking and pulling. She's little (11 pounds) and terribly cute so it doesn't really bother most people that we pass, but it really bothers me that I don't have her attention. She will not be lured even with a treat under her nose, despite being a typical food-oriented schnauzer. I'm wondering if there are any novel ways of addressing this problem. Are there ways to get her attention that I"m missing? While I seem calm about this in this post, I really am at my wits end. All ideas are most welcome. Thanks.

[Dawnspell]

Hi and welcome
I feel your anxiety I've been there and still go there occasionally with Jasper. I've included a link to when we started games based / concept training.

The most important things to remember are
Choose your environment to match her skills to build her confidence. You know she wont accept treats on a walk so dont try it, that actually makes food a punishment. Do any training in an environment where you know she will accept treat and will have success. For Jasper at the beginning he couldnt even accept food as a reward on the patio the environment was too stimulating. Once thats 100% then you can change environment in baby steps to increase difficulty. Its a good indicator that if she doesnt accept food then the environment is too difficult so dont keep trying, make it easier for her.

Work on a couple of behaviours that she really enjoys. Again work on this at home then garden etc upping the difficulty. For Jasper he doesnt like to feel as though he's trapped when out and about so asking for middle (standing inbetween your legs) sit he doesnt like. His two that he will always do are paws up on something and "catch" as in catching a piece of food, he also is good at "face" asking him to make eye contact. Others can be a spin, find it (scattering food on the floor round your feet), nose touch to your hand, high 5.

Dont wait until you need her attention before trying to get it, do the chosen behaviours throughout the day at home and in the garden especially the eye contact game is easy to do anytime. Even now I always have treats in my pocket ( I use a bank coin bag to keep them in) so I can do a quick game while the kettle is boiling or something. You want it to become a habitual reaction so she doesnt even think about it, her body just does it when she hears you ask. If she cant do it then the environment shes in is still too difficult for her.

These are just training tips to help you on your way. I posted about Jaspers start there are other post Ive done as well about his training. Its slow progress he's still reactive but he can cope so much better in situations now. I also give him daily natural calming supplements which help him. I weaned him off last month and he became a barky dog to things outside when off them so hes back on them now

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[IzzieD]

Thanks for this reply. I’ll review your experience with Jasper and see what I might take for Izzie! Appreciate it!