Reactive dog

[Saythreehailmarys]

Hi, have a 3 yr old lab who is very reactive. She barks when people approach her, when people come to the house and lunges aggressively at other dogs.

We tried a (very expensive) behaviourist which hasn’t worked - she encouraged us to give her treats to try to desensitise her to anxious situations. Nothing’s changed.

I think a lot of her behaviour is driven by anxiety.

Any tips?

Hi

I have a very reactive dog too. I also hired an expensive behaviourist, which didn’t really help.

What has been incredibly helpful, also a fraction of the price, is signing up to Southend dog training.

I started following them on Instagram and then signed up to the extra training advice. It’s worth every penny. Just watch a few of their videos and you’ll see what a game changer it is.

Just changing my dog’s lead made an instant difference and I’m no longer being dragged on walks.

Good luck

My previous terrier was reactive, and it wa anxiety-driven like your lab. The thing that worked best for him was taking a toy with me everywhere and bringing it out for a game of some sort when another dog was nearby. Wherever possible, I brought it out before the other dog was close enough to trigger his arousal.

It got to the point that whenever he saw a dog from afar he would look excitedly to me for the toy. It wasn't a complete solution, but it took some of the tension out of the situation for both of us. As well as teaching him altenative behviours it changed the mood of these encounters.

Of course terriers and labs are very different and what works for one may not be right for another. For example, my dog had an insanely high drive for balls. And he had to be kept on lead in these situations beause otherwise he would actually nip the other dog. Perhps that is different for your dog.

A non dog owner wouldn’t describe your dog as reactive, they would describe it as aggressive. It’s terrifying that there are so many dogs out there like this. The thought of coming across you and your dog whilst out with my children is frightening.

Thanks so much, really appreciate the advice.

Completely pointless response.

I have a reactive dog, but only to some other dogs when we walk.

Southend Dog Training helped us too using one of their videos. We take a small pot of finely chopped cocktail sausage on walks with a clicker, attached to the sausage bag strap. If a dog comes and he begins to fixate (ears up, stares) immediately 2 clicks and throw down some sausages for him to sniff and eat. Works a treat.

Started by training him at home with his food- two clicks then a little dinner, for a couple of days. He quickly got it.

Also, another expert in our breed explained the 'stress bucket' idea, look it up. We walk our dog less now and use enrichment/games instead. He's much happier.

Our dog also has fear reactivity, he's scared.

My puppy is reactive. She is not fear aggressive however. Reactive is just that. Reacting to a certain situation. Most puppies are reactive because they have little or no self control, much like small children.

With her we’ve done lots of ‘click the trigger’ as although it’s excitement it can tip over to aggression if they get frustrated. That’s often how it starts.

it’s extremely effective. It teaches them to engage with you not the environment and naturally calms them. It’s also called engage disengage or look at that. PPwith the terrier described it well.

You do need someone to show you in person if you are not experienced. You also need to get the treat or toy in BEFORE the dog reacts. It’s an art keeping them under threshold and you often need to set up situations.

Looks like Southend dog training are having a slow weekend creating their own posts

Or maybe their techniques work which is why people mention them 🤔

@IngGenius
Completely agree.

Have you considered medication?

Some dogs are so anxious out and about that it's impossible to keep them under threshold. Medication can help lower their overall state of arousal and means they can focus on you and absorb the training.

SDT methods work using fear, pain and anticipation of pain. I wouldn’t use them on any dog, let alone an anxious one. Unfortunately, yanking a cheese wire collar under the ears has fast results, so people ignore the world of reactivity problems that is building up for the future.

Redirection training takes longer, but is kinder and has its roots in the behaviour you are actually trying to address, so is more likely to work long term.

Which is better?
Stopping a Behaviour because the dog is scared of the consequences you give it for that behaviour
or
Interrupting the start of the behaviour so the dog doesn’t go over threshold in the first place

I know which I’d choose.

Please I want to make it clear I have nothing to do with Southend Dog Training, other than the fact they have genuinely changed my relationship with my dog.

I’m recommending them because the OP asked for help and I know what it’s like dreading taking your dog out. It’s unfair on SDT when they’ve changed things for us so quickly.

Adversive training methods work quickly and then cause issues down the line

Did your behaviourist get to the cause of the reactivity? Barrier frustration and fear agression may look the same behaviour wise but they are very different things that need managing differently

How long ago did you see the behaviourist? And have you had any follow ups?

I get you op. Having a reactive dog is really hard. I was one of those people (shamefully) who used to cross over, shake my head and assume the dog was aggressive...until I got one! I've had many dogs in the past and this is the first reactive dog we've had. We socialised her straight away and did everything right until just one experience she didn't like and bang that was it. She barked at everyone and every dog and still does but we are in training and working on it. I used to come home crying after a walk after having horrible comments made to me and towards my dog. Telling people she was scared and explaining why made no difference. I actually got to the point I felt like rehoming her to someone who could deal with her but I'm glad I didn't and now after watching many videos and listening to my trainer, I understand my dog better and she's not a bad dog or aggressive. She's scared. It's one step forward and 10 back with my dog but I won't give up on her. I sometimes feel like I'm getting no where. She won't let anyone she doesn't know stroke her which I can deal with, not everyone needs to touch her, I'd just like her to walk past the fear without reacting. I'm actually thinking of getting a t shirt made with reactive dog in training please give me space. My dog is seen as nasty Purley because of her size, where as majority of dogs in my area are little ones and are more reactive but when people see them react its all 'awww, look he's saying hi" but when mine does it, I get "it needs putting down or it needs a muzzle".
Keep your chin up op, it's not easy but we will get there I'm sure and ignore the hate. YOU know your dog just take control and show her there's nothing to fear and repeat. Whatever method you choose, stick to and you will start to see results. You'll still have days where you think this isn't working and that's OK. Get the lead on and go again! Don't give up.

🙄

Get a grip.

🙄🙄

So what do you suggest? Just have the dog put down? The thought of coming across people like you whilst out and about is terrifying

OP - in many cases a reactive dog will always be reactive. You can improve the situation though … take treats out and a clicker. Make sure clicker is “loaded” so the dog knows what it means. Whenever you see someone in the street click and treat. The idea is that the dog learns to associate seeing people with getting a treat and eventually the reactivity should improve as the dog’s first though upon seeing a trigger is to look at you for a treat (rather than react to trigger).

It might take years to see improvement however.