Terrible title, and I'm off out shortly, but...
We rescued dog2 in March. She's beautiful, house trained, travels nicely in the car, great with the children, doesn't chew, great with dog 1 etc...
but she's highly reactive (wasn't when we got her but just got worse and worse). She lunges and barks at other dogs and is becoming more aggressive. I can't walk her at the moment. Dh is doing all the walking. She's beagle size but just pulls constantly and is on high alert all the time.
Recall is shit so she doesn't go off lead. We hire a secure field once a week. She has weekly training and we've done workshops. She has a bloody expensive diet and she is the cutest thing ever but she really isn't a dog I want for the next 15 years.
We're not going to rehome her or give up. I'm stuck with her, but for example I'm gong to collect the kids. I'd go on foot and a normal dog would come out for a stroll with me. I can't take her as there are too many triggers around (dogs!) or she'll just pull my bloody arm out. She'll just stay here with dog 1 so they'll both miss out. She'll get walked by dh when dark later.
We've tried various harnesses with little success.
I dunno. I loved doing canicross with her and can't at the moment due to my own injury. Maybe holding on until I run again will keep me sane.
How do you make your peace with the dog you have?
If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.
The doghouse
can anyone empathise having a dog that isn't the dog you thought you'd have?
dogwoes · 28/06/2016 17:16
I feel hour pain on this one.
We lost our perfect dog and a week later I impulsively took on a broken 3 week old puppy that has turned out to be nervous aggressive to everything in the world. I did everything right with regards to socialisation but she has so many issues.
I have spend and continue to spend fortunes on behaviour training and take her religiously to classes but her improvements are slow. Ive got to the point where I can pass 90% of things without fuss but she will still bite anyone who puts a hand out or a dog if it gets in her face. She is fantastic at home but strangers of dog and human variety in her safe space are a no go!
I have sort of given up thinking she will ever get better. I can't go on holiday or leave her with anyone so we try and make the best of it. I walk her at quieter times in a muzzle and try and egnore the horrible looks I get from people.
I do really miss sitting at the park with an ice cream or just spontaneously going somewhere without worrying about dog touchers 
It's annoying though!
Kind of but in a different way. More the kids than me too as I'm not really a dog person. DH got us a rescue bulldog after begging for 13 years and me finally saying we could handle it last year. She is lovely and no real trouble but she doesn't really do much . Just sits there most of the time and sleeps a lot and can't walk far without gasping for breath :( So the long walks I would have enjoyed are out of the question with her. But everything else has been much easier than I would have expected from having a dog!
Right. That's better!
I have actually walked her with a headcollar and body harness. Yes that's right 3 actual attachments to one dog. 
It was fine until dog 1 needed to go back on the lead and I ran out of hands.
Did anyone have a lightbulb moment or just a dawning realisation that their dog is the way it is?
I keep trying new things and think I've cracked it but then disaster will strike and we're back to square one. (Escaped from a secure field we paid for... Went for an elderly spaniel.... Chased a horse....)
Not all on the same day, but pretty bloody awful. Nobody has been hurt luckily.
Wow. Thank you for sharing 
I feel a bit stupid whinging about mine now!
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Tabulahrasa your story is so similar to mine as mine also has a rare medical problem that mean she could never be rehomed and needs fed 7 times a day. Most of her problems were triggered by bad experiences caused by this but because she requires treatment it's hard to improve things. My life was ruled by her at one point although it's calmed a little now.
It's the lack of freedom that gets to me most as no kennel would ever consider her and she would eat them plus she is a medical liability so holidays are a thing of the past.
I wish I could just go to the park and sit and throw a ball for her but this would never ever be possible so I resort to walking i quiet deserted places at silly times to avoid dogs and people scaring her.
I also hate that people seem to blame me for the lack of control over their own dogs. For example only last week I was called a fucking idiot as my dog lost her mind over an off lead labrador in her face who was apparently only being friendly. This is despite the fact she is on lead, muzzled and clearly terrified yet people allow their dogs to approach and then blame me when it kicks off. Oh and the stares from people at walking a dog in a muzzle 
Fortunately her saving grace is that she is so sweet and affectionate at home. She adores the family and is the most cuddly dog I have ever met but sadly nobody ever gets to see that lovely side to her as they see are her teeth 
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