First time puppy pawrents dish on how they successfully trained their reactive canine child: ‘I almost cried yesterday because he was so great’

Author image for Laurent Shinar
Laurent Shinar • Writer and Editor
Feb 11, 2025 5:00 PM EST

So many hoomans have no idea what it actually takes to raise a well-mannered puppy. Likely due to the nonstop rhetoric around them not being our biological children. Which is ironic, for while a biological child you have carried for nine months will for sure put a strain on your mind and body, it is not the same as having to spend 24 hours a day running after a poopin, biting, climbing mini shark who simply does not know any better than to bust up your home. Forget about putting protection on sharp corners, because a pup will turn those sharp corners into soft curves within moments.

So it is rather uplifting and eye-opening to hear the story of this cute couple who successfully managed to tame their land piranha and turn him into a good boy for life. Which is a lot more than can be said for certain hoomans. We would all do well to learn a thing or two from these heroic hoomans.

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  • 01
    'Reactive Puppy Journey- a success story!'
    via Vaeriia Boiko via Canva

    Disclaimer: This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 02
    About 2.5yrs ago— we adopted a mutt. He's a retriever, terrier and shepherd mix. We knew he was going to challenge us because he showed reactivity as early as 10 weeks old.
    via u/Unresolved_Ish888
  • 03
    But, he was quick to learn anything we taught him. About a few weeks before we decided we wanted a puppy for the first time (we have 2 dogs adopted as
    via u/Unresolved_Ish888
  • 04
    adult already), we knew we needed to learn a whole different level of training. Because, well, PUPPIES are going to be a handful.
    via u/Unresolved_Ish888
  • 05
    I've looked into all types of training and eventually loved Ivan Balabanov's approach. So we took it step by step, from the most basic obedience training and then progressed it.
    via u/Unresolved_Ish888
  • 06
    Here's some of the things my puppy did that made us almost reconsider giving him back to the rescue:
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  • 07
    • resource guarding • highly sensitive on being touched, no matter how gentle (his paws, his head, his ears)
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  • 08
    • very re lol! • endless energy -turns into a land shark devil and bit me so many times!!! Those puppy shark teeth were so vicious!
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    Cheezburger Image 10465939456
    via GeorgePeters via Canva

    Disclaimer: This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 10
    Then I realized that, 1) he's a mutt and never got proper socialization 2) was abandoned without his mum and littermates 3) he's a puppy
    via u/Unresolved_Ish888
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    So my husband and I, mainly me because I worked from home, did everything we can to get him out of it.
    via u/Unresolved_Ish888
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    He was lovely on the leash because we started his leash skills as soon as we got him. He's VERY great with other dogs, NOT FEARFUL which is a blessing and a curse lol He is our little pottytrain CHAMP! This boy will let us
    via u/Unresolved_Ish888
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    know he needs to go out by his little cooing sounds and cute cries. He was also amazing during crate training!
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    Cheezburger Image 10465939712
    via Leung Cho Pan via Canva

    Disclaimer: This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • Wow, now that is one heck of an achievement. Most canine pawrents depend upon an unspoken connection between themselves and their dog child to know when they need certain things. But to train your toddler to call out to you with a specific cry is simply genius. Though, if one has gone to such efforts would it not make sense to teach the puppy how to use a hooman toilet and be done with the whole thing?

  • 15
    Everyday I worked on training him to be OK with being touched and rubbed on his belly, be ok with his nails being trimmed, ears being cleaned, letting us put a muzzle without biting, respecting boundaries, loving baths...
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  • 16
    Yesterday was the FIRST day he hasn't growled at me during his bath. He usually growls a bit when I wash his paws, but IT DID NOT HAPPEN YESTERDAY DURING THE ENTIRE BATH!
    via u/Unresolved_Ish888
  • 17
    I also cleaned his ears (which he hates for lack of a better word) but it's been a couple weeks where he just lets me!
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  • 18
    I almost cried yesterday because he was so great and It finally paid off it had been a crazy ride. I keep telling my husband that he might have been a little devil before but boy would I train him again if this is where we'll end up!
    via u/Unresolved_Ish888
  • 19
    Those 2.5years now felt like it was just yesterday. I'm so glad I was able to see all his quirks and attitude because it taught me to be the best trainer and handler I could ever be. I can see the way
    via u/Unresolved_Ish888
  • 20
    my dogs respect me when I say a command, the way they run to me as hard as they can during recall and how they love cuddling with me but also not clingy.
    via u/Unresolved_Ish888
  • 21
    If you're in your puppy journey, I hope you stay persistent and patient! Your dog is looking up to you and will try to reciprocate the same energy you give them! But always
    via u/Unresolved_Ish888
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    remember, they do not have logic and rationale. On those times you think they purposely want to you off, they aren't. They just need more guidance and training FROM YOU!
    via u/Unresolved_Ish888
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    Cheezburger Image 10465939968
    via GoodLifeStudio via Canva

    Disclaimer: This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • This is a wonderful example of not only a pupper success story, but also what it truly takes to nurture your pupper and make them into a well-behaved boy or girl who is a joy to have in the world. Rather than a reactive and unpredictable menace who will nibble at the feet of anyone who does not smell right. In other words, think twice before adopting a puppy who will demand all of your time and energy.

  • 24
    Unresolv... I did not mention here that I tried everything to see where my dog responds to. He is also ecollar trained
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    because we let them go off leash and we want the ability to get them back if they're too far. We rarely use it! They are all treat motivated but don't rely on it (super important). I do not
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    follow the FF way because that did not work on them.
    via u/Unresolved_Ish888

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