Reactive dogs

[EbbyEbs]

Anyone else had a reactive dog that suddenly snapped out of it?

My dog turned reactive around 5 months old. I used to take her to puppy play groups and “socialisation” classes and let her play with every dog she saw - I thought I was doing the right thing but she turned reactive and dog aggressive. She has been in positive reinforcement training ever since (3 years!) with very slow progress.

Over summer it was too hot to walk her so she went for around 2 weeks with no walks at all. I was dreading taking her back out thinking our training must have taken a million steps backwards but I was shocked, that first walk after the hot weather she was calm and much less reactive.

Now, she’s not reacting at all! I’ve just taken her through a field on a long lead and there were 4 dogs all running around playing … my dog totally ignored them and just carried on walking past. She’s like a different dog but the change is so sudden!

Anyone else had a dog suddenly decide not to be reactive anymore or should I be concerned that she’s unwell?! I mean … the change is most welcome but it seems too good to be true 😬 also .., loose lead perfect all of a sudden?!

Not to good to be true op, you’ve put years of effort and hard work in and now it’s clicked! 😁

The training will have helped of course, but many dogs do calm down around the three year mark. My boy - intact - was a total PITA, reactive, trying to dominate etc and then at around three years old I suddenly realised we hadn't hadn't had "an incident" for about six months and he's pretty much trustworthy now. Hates golden retrievers though as was attacked by one in puppyhood and he definitely remembers. I still watch like a hawk and will avoid other intact dogs though. Can never be too careful.

The break from walks probably helped loads - frequent walking can build up a load of stress hormones so they react easier next time.

If you have a setback you’re usually want to not walk for a few days to allow them to go down.

A break from walks can be really important for reactive dog so I suspect that's helped a lot, along with age.

My dog's been selectively reactive since he was attacked and bitten a couple of times as youngster, but he's definitely improved huge amounts in the last 6 months or so and he's four now.

Really interesting thread esp regarding the break from the stress hormones. I've read a lot about this and it certainly seems to have had an impact for the OP.

Mine's 3 now.
Beacame reactive after her first season (spayed after her second..it was awful!)
I've followed CARE protocols for reactivity with some success (certain breeds she freaks out at regardless)

Just spent a weekend in the Lake District... heaving with dogs, stayed with friends who had a dog... she was brilliant! One growl at a 'terrified of' breed and a couple of barks... that was IT! I was dreading it but determined to give it a go, and she aced it.
I think , while I respect that certain breeds will always be an issue, she is simply maturing and can't be arsed to react as much.

I know what you are feeling though... I was jus like 'WOW! Where is my lunging barking growly anxiety ridden beast?!' :)

Oh this is so heartening to read! I will hope that with the careful training we are doing, the breaks we take weekly from walks and age will help my fear reactive boy too :)

I really hope so! It’s such a huge relief … i actually look forward to walking her now! ☺️

That’s lovely to hear! Where there many dogs around? I’d love to take mine to the lakes ❤️

Ambleside was heaving with dogs... it seemed like every single person had one with them (Inc us of course )
Once out at various Lakes it wasn't quite so packed!

Also finding this thread encouraging!

Ah no, that would be too much for her then ☹️ Shame! Glad you had a lovely time though ☺️