Dog reactive to other dogs

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Help!
My almost 2 year old toy poodle has started reacting to other dogs. This happens on and off lead. He is due to have his castration next month. When on the lead, he pulls and wants to go over and then he lunges at other dogs, sometimes snapping and sometimes growling. He nipped a large Labrador the other day.
When off lead, he stops, charges over and tries to play but he lunges and sometimes snaps again. I've lost all confidence. Don't know what to do to help him

I personally wouldn’t get him castrated right now; it can make behaviour like this worse.
Id also take him to the vet to rule out pain as a cause.
Once that was done I’d employ a really good behaviourist (not a trainer) asap…

You need to see a behaviourist (NOT just a trainer) to get to the root cause of his behaviour and then work with you through his issues. In the meantime, it is sensible to muzzle him when out in public as he has bitten another dog. One of mine was similar and is muzzled in public now after one incident of fighting with another dog - can't risk it happening again and her causing damage! This will hopefully make you feel a bit more confident in the meantime, knowing he can't harm the other dogs. Good luck.

Three things to do:

1. As first aid, keep him away from other dogs as much you as you can

1. Cancel the castration for now. Dogs which are reactive are worried dogs. Castration reducesv their testosterone levels, but testosterone gives them a bit of a confidence boost. Castration can therefore make reactivity worse.

1. Ask your vet for referral to a local APBC or CCAB qualified behaviourist - the qualifications are important and you will need a vet referral to rule out medical causes for behaviour changes.

I spoke to a behaviourist. She recommended a course of sessions but it was hundreds of pounds. She also recommended chemical castration to see if it helped which is why the vet recommended going for the actual op as it is around the same cost. Vet asked me lots of questions and she said the op wouldn't make him worse. He tries to hump visitors too

Honestly. Pay the behaviourist. It will be money very well spent.

If you have good insurance this will cover the behaviourist fees (provided they have the correct qualifications) and all related treatment.

Your vet sounds a bit useless.

Yes, the two procedures might cost the same but if you get him castrated and it makes things worse, you can't go back and get reversed!

Please don't get him castrated. And speak to a behaviourist.

How much did you pay for the puppy? You need to look at the training as just a cost that's related to running a dog, much like a service, maintenance or petrol in a car.

It's a cost yes but it's critical to you and the rest of the dogs life. Unless you'd like him to be PTS when he reacts to a human.

Also biting a lab in itself is enough to cause you a costly legal case had the owner decided to come for you.

Even worse is the Labrador had decided to take a Chuck out of your dog?

So many reasons to get some quotes and options in place to get him trained now. I'm in the opposite camp and would get him castrated it's always calmed my dogs down and to stop any unwatered matings.

What qualifications did this behaviourist hold? Unfortunately literally anyone can call themselves a behaviourist.

If they aren't on one of these two lists I wouldn't let them near my dog.
https://www.asab.org/ccab-register
https://www.apbc.org.uk/find-an-apbc-member/

I had one session with a behaviourist, cost about £200 including vet referral, and it's some of the best money I've ever spent. I went from the dog not letting visitors through the front door to being able to conduct a series of viewings with potential lodgers.

Depending on your insurance policy, you may be covered for a behaviourist.

I wonder if your behaviourist phrased chemical castration around trying it to check it doesn't make DDog worse, rather than better. The vet appears to be unaware of the (relatively recent) view that castration can make things worse - and surgical castration is irreversible.

Humping often isn't sexual by the way - more of a stress relief, or sometimes done in play. DDog does it to us sometimes when he's feeling slightly anxious and he's been neutered for at least 6 years.

Castration is often prevented as a snake oil esque cure all for behaviour. In reality the only behaviour it reliably improves is urine scent marking.

Thank you for these replies. I am
In contact with a behaviourist and have cancelled his op. Fingers crossed we can sort this for my boy

Some dogs will always be reactive, even after spending many sessions with a behaviourist.

How are you getting on Op? My dog has started charging over to other dogs and I can’t work out why or what she is doing it’s really unlike her

He didn't have the op and we are doing lots of positive praise and distraction with cheese! It's going to be a long haul

It’s difficult isn’t it cos if you are permanently distracting and avoiding meeting other dogs then it’s difficult to know how to ever teach them to socialise better