Different approaches in dog training

[Allfurcoatandnoknickers]

We got a Romanian rescue a year ago. He’s around two years old and whilst he’s heaps better than he was, he is reactive to dogs being too close in his space and visitors to the house (not many for the last year). I am working with a behaviourist who is an expert in her field. However, my other half worships at the temple of Graham Hall. Enough said.
I work so hard with the CARE techniques, walk him in quiet places, separate from our
Other dog etc etc - he will say ‘no’ then praise him after he’s barked - irritatingly he then passed a dog without barking 🙄
Has anyone had experience of this irritating phenomenon?

Do you mean he praises him for not barking?

Yes that’s right- that’s what I do but without the ‘no’ at the start

Imo, there is a balance to be drawn.
It can be dangerous to discipline for giving warnings like growls, but equally, unless you have a very unstable dog who may react defensively towards you, imo, the whole 100% positive, never ever say ‘no’ is wrong and unhelpful too.
You should use verbal corrections too imo.
How else is the dog meant to know that a certain behaviour is outright wrong and not going to be tolerated?

Dogs don’t actually understand no, it’s just a noise...

So unless he’s shouting it at him, he’s doing nothing significantly different by saying no tbh.

Dogs don’t actually understand no, it’s just a noise...
They understand tone and body language and tension though.
And a ‘no’ more often than not is said in a deeper, angry tone and often coupled with tense, unfriendly body language

In this case the barking is not behaviour it is a sign of an emotion.

So praising and saying no etc are a complete waste of time. Change the dogs emotion to the trigger in this case the dog and your dog will not bark again.

To change the trigger carry on with the CARE protocol.

Very common to have partners wanting a different approach to training. Can I say in my experience it is usually the men who think a raised voice or no and being assertive is the quick answer.

I only train other peoples dogs not husbands .

“They understand tone and body language and tension though. “

Of course, but owners of reactive dogs near a trigger are usually giving all that off anyway. (Even when they’re trying not to) The no is just an extra noise.

No isn’t particularly useful as a command, it means different things depending on the context - that’s why people advise not saying no to dogs, it’s not because dogs are too sensitive to be told no, it’s because it’s too vague and fairly useless.

Thanks all- shame you don’t train husbands Polly! I think it’s the lack of consistency that’s the problem - I hate the quick fix tv shows as they don’t show all the hard work that is ongoing- especially with rescues.
Will continue with CARE - I do 99% of the walking and my older kids are on board with it too - so I guess that one walk a week isn’t going to be too detrimental!