Reactive dog

[Mortifyed]

we have a 2 year old dog, she’s a golden retriever and beautiful. We have sought training to help her walk properly on her lead and she has come on leaps and bounds. The problem we have is she is very, very reactive to bikes and scooters and it sounds absolutely awful. Because of this she is always on a lead, I don’t trust her to be off her lead, I’m not sure what she would do but she sounds horrendous and is lunging and growling at the bike/scooter, although not always, sometimes she can be perfect. I feel so on edge, I walked her this evening and she sounded and looked so very aggressive. I have contacted the trainer again for further sessions but am mortified what people may think if they saw her earlier. I can’t get over the feeling or overwhelming anxiety over it. In all other respects she is almost the perfect dog. I don’t know what im asking to be honest. Can anyone else relate? Thank you.

Yes I can relate. DDog came to use like this. She can still sometimes be reactive but I've found what has helped is:

Trying to keep calm and keep your voice calm

Don't pull on the lead. DH always pulls the lead tight and then wonders why she goes into full attack mode...

Distract with treats as soon as you see the bike/scooter

If she's seen one and not reacted (might fake a while) give her treats so that she associates not reacting with a treat

Don't know if that's what a trained behaviourist would recommend but that's what's working for us

We have a border collie (renown for being reactive) had 2 previously,no problems,all from 8 weeks. She did this with anything on wheels. Trainer said tube of cream cheese, give her a quick squirt in her mouth. It worked. We had a neighbour a few years back, also a border collie, tried to chase cars, but she never did anything about it. Used to see the dog taking her for a walk!!

Ours is reactive to other dogs. We got alot if advice from rduk Facebook page ( basically what pp have said, giving treats, positive reinforcement). There are certainly some in your situation on there and it is great for moral support.

I totally get what you are saying with the anxiety and how they look. A big part of it for me was training myself how to react and not to panic. It doesn't matter what people think you have to do what's right for your dog ❤️

I can relate. The trainer will help you but what cracked it for us was the exact moment he was about to bark I turned him around and walked the opposite way (then turned again and carried on walking as usual). At first we had to go back and forth over and over. But it worked surprisingly quickly and really effectively.

I’m still on the lookout for scooters and every now and then he’ll need reminding by going back to the back and forth walk basics. But on the whole he’s good.

Also: always carry treats. And I mean always. If she looks at a scooter, even from a miles away, reward her instantly. Repeat this over and over.

I can’t get over the feeling or overwhelming anxiety over it.
Also this message is what she’s going to be picking up from you. Calm and control is the message you want to send her so fake it until it’s real. (And it will be real, you won’t feel overwhelmed forever! You can do this.)

@Nannyfannybanny can I ask what cream cheese you use please?

DDog will do almost anything for cheese

Lidl equivalent of Philadelphia 😂,keep it in your hand (the tube that is!)see a bike,quick squeeze on the old tube

Sorry, should have said "primula" not Philadelphia!!!

Thanks very much @Nannyfannybanny. I'll pick some up next time I'm in Lidl