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The doghouse

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Original poster

Can't believe the difference in my reactive boy this holiday.

19 replies

Mellowyell292 · 10/08/2022 11:35

He's 3, a cross breed. He's a tricky little thing, very nervous and reactive. We've put in so much work, we manage his environment carefully. I feel like it's all, finally paying off.

We took him to the beach this morning, got there for 8 to avoid the crowds and mid day heat. He was an absolute dream, stayed completely focused on us despite many rogue dogs getting in his face/arse. He swam! He's never done that before! He was off lead for 2 glorious hours! I actually felt like 'normal' dog owners.

He's slept in his own bed all week. We're staying in a busy little village and nothing has set him off-dogs, kids, motorbike. No body language. Just happy, relaxed, waggy.

I'm so proud of him!! He was a nervous wreck when we got him, I can't believe the difference.

OP posts:
Saucery · 10/08/2022 11:37

That’s brilliant! You must have worked so hard to give him the opportunity to take things at his own pace and grow in confidence ⭐️

Original poster
Mellowyell292 · 10/08/2022 11:41

Saucery · 10/08/2022 11:37

That’s brilliant! You must have worked so hard to give him the opportunity to take things at his own pace and grow in confidence ⭐️

It's been a huge challenge. I've shed tears over this dog at times and I'm ashamed to admit I've really not liked him in the past but we've got a lovely bond now.

This holiday has really highlighted how far he's come compared to just 12 months ago.

We're still restricted but it's much more manageable now. I just can't believe that we can walk him through a village and his body language stays so relaxed.

OP posts:
IRememberXanadu · 10/08/2022 11:43

Congratulations to you and to your dog! I can understand how happy you must be because we also have a reactive dog. It's hard work but the rewards make it all worthwhile. Make a fuss of your dog and keep up the great work.

FictionalCharacter · 10/08/2022 11:43

Well done! All the work is paying off. He’s a Good Boy 🐶

Saucery · 10/08/2022 11:43

He knows you’ve got his back and that the world isn’t such a scary place as he thought. The change of scene might have helped too. Our dog was her Best Self on holiday the other week, even with triggers that we’ve had to work really hard on at home.

Trulyweird1 · 10/08/2022 11:46

Well done! It’s not easy having a reactive dog, but it’s good that you are seeing a difference at this age, it suggests he is maturing well.

I find swimming is such a great way to relax and distract my 2, they are not interested in anything but the water, the ball, and each other , when we are at the beach.

Enjoy your break.

SarahSissions · 10/08/2022 12:00

Well done! What a life you’ve given back to this doggy!

Original poster
Mellowyell292 · 10/08/2022 12:27

Thanks everyone. He definitely trusts us to look after him now. He does this thing where is somethings up ahead like a motorbike, he'll drop back to my side and 'boop' my leg with his nose. Its very sweet, he makes lots of eye contact now too.

OP posts:
doggyadvicepls · 10/08/2022 12:29

Hi op!
Congratulations and well done for all the hard work, glad it's paying off.
Can I ask if you have any tips for what worked for you? Ours has become v.reactive recently and not really sure why

Ilikewinter · 10/08/2022 12:35

Im another one coming to say well done OP and whats the secret to your success...apart from blood sweat and tears !!

Original poster
Mellowyell292 · 10/08/2022 13:02

Thanks everyone. He definitely trusts us to look after him now. He does this thing where is somethings up ahead like a motorbike, he'll drop back to my side and 'boop' my leg with his nose. Its very sweet, he makes lots of eye contact now too.

OP posts:
BinleyMegaChippy · 10/08/2022 13:10

That's so lovely to read. Makes me happy. You have clearly done a great job with him.
My fear reactive boy is slowly coming along. When he sees his trigger (other dogs) he's started checking in with me and his reactions are becoming fewer. We are slowly but surely getting there.
Well done Flowers

Original poster
Mellowyell292 · 10/08/2022 13:11

I'm no expert but what's worked for us is keeping his walks very quiet so lots of early and late walking in quiet places (the canal, so bored of the bloody canal!) and then we've worked our way up to busier areas. We always have treats on us and we get in with a treat when he's seen the trigger but before he reacts. Didn't work in the early days as his reaction was too quick but we got there eventually.

I think just him maturing has helped too, it's not all down to us. Any new reactivity we've then tried to avoid the trigger until his fear has passed. So as an example, he became very afraid of gun shots and helicopters so we avoided certain areas where they shoot and a certain village where the police train their helicopter crew. It was such a faff at times.

Another thing is teaching him to walk to heal. He would bolt to the end of the lead and pull when he was afraid but now he walks to heal instead, I think he's realised there's some safety by my side.

We're trying to tackle reactivity to strangers in the house but we've learnt it takes about 10 consecutive visits before he trusts someone and its very hard to find anyone who will volunteer that amount of time so for now hes confined to the kitchen. He's fine with our immediate family at least.

OP posts:
Creepymanonagoatfarm · 10/08/2022 13:15

Ime all ddogs enjoy a holiday! 1 of ours has just enjoyed her first camping trip!! Maybe they sense we are more relaxed and just join in!?

Sitdowncupoftea · 10/08/2022 14:05

Well done it takes time.

Girliefriendlikespuppies · 10/08/2022 14:40

I do think dogs start to chill out around 3yo, my boy is similar and we've just started to notice a big difference in how he is around other dogs.

Mind you we had him neutered this year so maybe it's just that 🤷‍♀️

scotscorner · 10/08/2022 19:10

thank you for posting this OP @Mellowyell292 . I was looking for a happy story after seeing a trending thread about a Jack Russell who bit a poster’s DS and all the comments saying “PTS”.

We have a rescue who has been reactive (mainly to people) and occasionally escalates to aggressive (all fear based) and guards the house excessively from strangers. We love him so much and he’s doing so well in some ways but he’s a real worry to me (mainly that he’ll panic one day and bite someone who he deems a threat).

We’ve spent a ton of money on training sessions with a dog specialist but he’s not ‘fixed’ - it will take time…we’ve only had him less than a year.

Open to any top tips! 🙏

Original poster
Mellowyell292 · 10/08/2022 19:22

scotscorner · 10/08/2022 19:10

thank you for posting this OP @Mellowyell292 . I was looking for a happy story after seeing a trending thread about a Jack Russell who bit a poster’s DS and all the comments saying “PTS”.

We have a rescue who has been reactive (mainly to people) and occasionally escalates to aggressive (all fear based) and guards the house excessively from strangers. We love him so much and he’s doing so well in some ways but he’s a real worry to me (mainly that he’ll panic one day and bite someone who he deems a threat).

We’ve spent a ton of money on training sessions with a dog specialist but he’s not ‘fixed’ - it will take time…we’ve only had him less than a year.

Open to any top tips! 🙏

Well we had a terrible time when he was about 14 months old. He became reactive to DS (who is a teenager). It was all fear based. We also spent £££ on a behaviourist. We basically had to keep them apart for 2 weeks (the dog had growled and snapped at DS when he'd accidentally woken him). DS was thankfully old enough to follow strict instructions for when the dog was sleeping.

Anyway, fast forward and they're now best friends.

He was also very nervous of my dad but we resolved this quite quickly. He had to come into the house, completely ignore the dog but throw treats in his direction (without looking at him). Took about 10 sessions and then he clicked and he's now one of his people.

Best of luck, keep going, you'll get there. It is very stressful, they're a huge commitment and responsibility.

OP posts:
scotscorner · 10/08/2022 19:37

That’s so lovely to hear @Mellowyell292

we are trying similar techniques with people coming in the house - it just takes time!
thank you

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