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Hi Andi!
Oh, this is a great question. I think you’re doing great, first of all, I wanted to say congratulations on working so patiently and positively with both the dogs and the pet parent!!! It’s all good, what you’re doing.
My first training client was a lot like this! A mini Goldendoodle who was about 6mo old and afraid of people, bicycles, meeting a dog on a walk, vacuum cleaner…you name it! The first meeting was outside (when Covid really started last year in April) and I talked to the owners while I threw treats on the ground to Gus. All the while he was barking at me, but eating the treats, and I didn’t try to advance or anything, not even look at him. The next few lessons got better and I even got to the point in about 4 lessons where he’d take a treat from my hand, if I turned sideways and didn’t watch him.
When he got better, we progressed and took our show on the road on walks and he continues to grow and accept new people at farmers markets, etc…
Most of the issues on walks were teaching the owners not to tense up and choke on the leash, keep it very loose, I taught them “walk away” on walks (we began this at home) and I don’tsee them anymore because apparently, they told me he’s not afraid of much anymore.
I will be in the same boat with you again, I have a new client this Saturday who is a year and a half old Great Dane, reactive to everything in yard and out.
Keep up the great work, Andi! Good luck and let us know how the next lesson goes!