I don't think I can cope with my highly reactive dog anymore

[boxfreshbox]

I don't even know what I'm asking. We have 2 dogs. Both rescues. 2nd one we've had for 6 months.

She just isn't the dog I thought we'd chosen.

She's housetrained, great with the kids and suffers no separation anxiety. Not stressed in the car. Great with the other dog.

but

Walks are becoming an utter nightmare. She has no recall so always on lead. I do canicross with them which she's really good at but when I can't run its like wresting a lion. She's only beagle size though.

My husband is fine with her. I've tried all sorts of headcollars and harnesses but I'm at the end of my tether. We hire a secure field weekly to let her run. We've been to training and workshops too.

The dogs only get walked 1st thing -6am and 11pm now to try and avoid other people/dogs.

So this morning start walking - dog1 off lead. She's on my waist belt but she sees rabbits and goes mental. I'm 10st but over an hours walk I'm getting really sore. I'm doing 'watch me' and giving space to other dogs but it's fucking miserable. Get back towards the car and she's lunching and barking at passing traffic. I'm rewarding the sit and watch me... Fine... Returning to the car and see another dog, gave loads of room, praise for remaining calm.

I'm home now just thinking wtf am I doing? I hate walking her now. She's getting worse. We can't just go to the pub or anything like we used to and sit in the garden because it'd be such a nightmare getting there then I'd be all nervous about others approaching.

I'm just ready to call the rescue centre and ask for help finding another home. I just don't think I can do this for the next ten years.

Best advice I was given was exercise is exercise and does not necessarily mean walking. Our dog is a private rescue at 5 months the damage had already been done. I now drive him to remote places and try to do this at least 3 times a week. On days we can’t he stays home and he does scent games, fed in kongs etc and I’ll have a game of ball in garden with him and bit of training. Honestly i walked ours every day without fail and he is triggered by bikes, mopeds, motorbikes, scooters, skateboards, cats, dogs, deer, cows, and horses and occasionally men especially hats or different races. We live on an estate in a national park I physically cannot avoid them all unless we drive to remote footpaths so that’s what I do. He’d get stressed so did I and actually I dreaded taking him out especially in summer when it’s crawling with tourists, we tried everything but he’s scared and no amount of treats will persuade him otherwise. Ironically now he’s a lot more relaxed and happier, we are planning on getting pup later and it will always be walked separately. And just to add there’s no way I’d not let my dog run in the garden it’s the only chance he gets