Could someone please tell me about BAT training, bearing in mind I am a complete numpty at the end of my tether?

[ScrappyMalloy]

I have two small rescue dogs, both came into our lives this year, and absolutely adored by all

Littlest Dog is a (we think) Maltese/westie cross and very obedient indoors and at training classes , but a nightmare out on walks.

Every flipping dog we pass makes her throw herself around, snarling and twisting, and I end up on some days (like today) either dragging or carrying her past, apologising profusely.

Meanwhile my poor old other dog is learning that that's how you behave when you see a dog...

I was told about BAT training, so have been trying it every afternoon this week, using cheese and a quiet bench, but this morning I feel quite defeated. Every single dog we saw, she went for (and she is Chihuahua sized, so not likely to win, the twit) , including my neighbour's lovely little dog.

I cut the walk short and brought her back in disgrace. Please help before I become a hermit...

I think you are probably trying to much too soon. The aim is to get her not to get stressed enough to react and then very gradually reduce the distance of the other dog without her reacting using treats etc.

My advice is get a behaviourist to show/teach you how to do it

Do you think I need to see a specialist, then? I think you are right about it being too soon, but it's such a pain that I can't see any improvement all.

She passed two dogs on the other side of the road this morning relatively calmly, under close control, just having a look. But then went crackers at every other dog after that, sigh.

She is the star of her obedience classes, btw. But I suppose that is an artificial environment with dogs that she knows.

It would definitely help, if you have the money (it can be quite expensive!). With us it took us two 1/1/2 hour sessions (£75 each) to get the hang of it then it was just lots of practising and persevering. We have seen improvement but it takes time.

It's great start she can pass other dogs calmly on the other side of the road. You can build on that

Did you practise out on the street? My friend recommended one but this person works in a hall, which would guarantee that Ddog would behave well!

Our dog had different triggers, he was fear territorial so we did the BAT training in our house.

But I think your best bet would be to find a co operative dog owner (maybe your neighbour) and go somewhere you are unlikely to meet someone else and do the training there. The owner would have to keep far enough away that your dog doesn't react and then move slowly closer as you give commands and treats. If she reacts get other dog to back off and try again. It will take a while and probably you would need it to do with more than one strange dog. Try and avoid any negative interactions when out on walks. Get your dog a yellow vest saying nervous and if you can muzzle her. If you see a dog in the distance go the other way for now.

It will get better but you have to try and avoid her reacting to dogs when out at all otherwise your training will get undermined. It will be hard but she will get better!

Thank you for your help - it all sounds very positive! I have a friend who's dog has never met mine, so I will see if I can arrange something. And I will get onto a behavioural expert, I think. These dogs are getting a bit expensive now

Glad to hear you have had lots of improvement. It would be so much better if dogs spoke more English...

We used BAT with much success with our dear old boy (sadly no longer with us). It actually only took one session with our trainer to go through the practical side of it, with him available for some back up as we progressed. I also bought the book which is very helpful to refer to (it became my Bible!) and there is also a website. Our trainer encouraged us to become "BAT ninjas" . We went from having a severely reactive dog in 2012 to summer 2014 when (my proudest moment) he actually went to a small dog show, entered a class (and won it) and enjoyed the afternoon. Honestly, it really does get better. I found the practical session very useful - it helped bring the theory alive, and once we got going with it, we saw very steady improvement.

The biggest bugbear is the "He's only being friendly" brigade when months of patient work are set back by some bounding Labrador and a numpty owner. Grrrr. It's also worth seeing if you can find a secure enclosed dog field for stress free exercising while things improve. We found regular use of one of these really helped us (as owners) since we knew we'd be enjoying a relaxing hour of stress free play and exercise, and no worries about off lead dogs suddenly bounding over.

I am in a Facebook Group called "Reactive Dogs" - excellent advice and lots of sympathy there.

This website is highly recommended also:

careforreactivedogs.com/

I love the idea of being a 'BAT Ninja'! If only!

Right, am feeling so much more positive now, so thanks all

She is such a nice dog and had a pretty tough life before we had her, and difficult though I might find it, it must be twice as stressful for her to have to be on high alert all the time.

DH wants to make a start on our own before paying for a trainer ( have splurged quite a bit on the dogs recently) so I am going to try the book and internet first.

If you were able to get a BAT trainer it would probably help enormously.

I had a reactive foster dog here for about six months and unfortunately am in a part of the country largely devoid of dog trainers but did have the BAT book and whatever help I had online.

Not an expert, but FWIW... If your dog was able to call pass another on the opposite side of the road that is already good - is she frightened of all dogs ( male/female/big/small ? ) you may be able to narrow it down which would help. The boy I had was terrified of entire males, but could be slowly introduced to females and neutered males which made life slightly easier.
Also, you say she is great in training classes - also a massive positive. My foster dog now lives in an amazing home where he started gun dog training one to one, and did so well that he can now actually manage to go to a class with other dogs. Having something to focus his mind ( on something other than OMG SCARY DOG AHEAD ) was huge breakthrough for him. If you can build on the attention she gives you in training to get her attention to you when you are out and about this will be a good start.
You may have to walk your reactive dog by herself to give the training a proper chance. And yes, progress is very slow and there will be days when you really don't want to leave the house :(

Thank you for your support. I know what you mean about dreading leaving the house. That's a lovely story about your foster-dog

I can't think why she reacts so badly - off lead she will run and play well with dogs (won't come back securely though, grrr) so part of me thinks that she is having an adrenaline-rush when she passes a dog, rather than actual fear, if you see what I mean.

She certainly pumps her (tiny) self up, broad legs, big chest,stiffly wagging tail, and will scuffle with them as she passes, but I don't know that she finds them scary

She spent her first few months on a farm in a huge pack of dogs ( the owner apparently had a 'thing' about dogs and struggled to stop acquiring them) so probably learned some bad habits during this time. And I think I made it worse by picking her up and carrying her past dogs when she tensed up.

I will take her out this afternoon on her own, and sit on the bench on the other side of the road from dog-walkers, with a pocket full of cheese, and see how we get on.

I've been trying BAT training recently with my dog, we started off with high value treats and crossing the road to avoid too high a trigger. This morning we sat in the dog field and each time he stayed calm for triggers he was rewarded and we moved a bit closer. I'm so proud of him he did really well!! P.s he is muzzled because he is such a big dog that when he reacts it can be scary and I need the confidence that if it gets too much for him then everyone around us is still safe

Bless him, he looks like a cuddly highwayman!

I have done my back in, so walks are short and isolated at the moment, but will be back on the BAT training when I stop wincing each step I take