Is it better to rehome her?

[Atethehalloweenchocs]

I have a very large breed 15 month old female dog. She has started being quite territorial (barking at dogs that come past the house), snapped at my older small dog the other day when I gave them both a treat). A month ago a small dog went for her when she was on her lead. Since then she has been lunging and barking at other dogs when she is on her lead, despite being ok with the exact same dogs when she is off lead. I feel like I cant take her out as much as I used to (to cafes, in the middle of town etc, she still gets her exercise and off lead time away from other dogs). The other issue is that she is bored I think, I walk her 3 times a day, do training and games with her during the day, and take her to classes. She was so happy staying away a few weeks ago when she stayed somewhere with another large dog. I feel like I am failing her and she would be better off rehomed. But it is breaking my heart. Am I being stupid?

Sounds like youre giving her everything she needs physically and mentally but i'd get a behaviourist to see her over the reactivity. My dog went thru similar around 14-18 months kicking off at every dog we passed, had 1 behaviourist session and now aat 21 months is a gem even when today we passed 2 dogs being walked who were kicking off either side of us. Give it time, teenage hormones etc

I think she just needs some support - she’s clearly a bit worried about other dogs and needs you to help her with it emotionally. A good behaviourist can absolutely help you with this, there’s no reason to go straight to rehoming from what you’ve said.

Thanks both. I have had the trainer do 1 to 1 sessions but I dont think she is the best and what she has suggested does not seem to be working. I have been looking for one who has specialist knowledge of her breed, but not coming up with much at the moment. I just dont know what to do. She is frustrated and I feel just terrible because what I am doing is not enough.

First season?

Which breed is she?

Most reactivity stems from fear. On a lead she’s more reactive because she can’t get away. Any resource guarding is a separate issue.

It is possible she has too much stimulation, reactive or nervous dogs need time in-between stressful events (which the walks seem to be) to decompress.

I would get advice from a qualified behaviourist registered with the ABTC.

I would encourage you to preserve. It’s sounds like she is really well cared for and you are doing your best to help her with her challenges.
Realistically not all dogs are rescued, the ones that are don’t always have new homes that can provide them with 3 walks a day and regular games

Have you tried the Dog Training Advice and support group on Facebook? It's got brilliant guides and you can post specific problems and get bespoke advice from behaviourists and vets. Look up trigger stacking too. Good luck

Put yourself between her and every dog she is triggered by while on lead. Lead reactivity is usually fear based because the dog feels restricted (can’t escape if it needs to) and is usually in a position where it feels it has to defend itself.
My dog was petrified of buses (the hydronic brakes hissing really upset her) so I’d make sure she was heeling on the side away from the road, especially when buses were passing, and eventually she realised that nothing happens beyond the noise itself and that the bus wasn’t going to hurt her, and if it tried, it would have to go through me first (not a difficult feat for a bus, but she doesn’t have to know that 😉) and doesn’t even flinch when a bus passes anymore.
Patience and compassion are your best tools, your dog is struggling, and is trying to protect themself the only way they know how. You have to show them that you will protect them, even if it means kicking other dogs away when they’re too persistent, and it will take time because you’ve shown them once already (the initial attack) that you won’t, and every instance of reactivity since has been self-reinforcing (the dog hasn’t been attacked again since exhibiting reactive behaviours, which gives the dog no incentive to stop.)

Hydraulic*

Can I ask why she stayed away with another dog a few weeks ago? I am just wondering what about that situation made the difference for her I guess.

Nothing you describe sounds particularly awful to me, though I do understand that it's upsetting and stressful to see such a sudden change in behaviour.

However, I have to ask what breed she is? Is it possible that her breed instincts are starting to develop as she gets older?

Can I ask why she stayed away with another dog a few weeks ago

Holiday. She went to the dog walker.

However, I have to ask what breed she is?

Rottweiler. Very gentle and loving, wants to be friends with everyone. Neither parent is particularly aggressive. But yes, wondering if this is instinct coming to the fore.

My year old dog hates having his collar put on. He jumps backwards, leaps about and then rolls over on his back with his legs in the air (which I know is a sign of him being uncomfortable ) although it does look quite cute. He then just lies still and has his collar on, then gets up and stands as close as he can to me with his head down sort of frozen. Then has a shake and is happy and waggy again. Then he's fine and enthusiastically leaves the house for his walk or car trip.
I've tried giving him treats and taking the collar off and putting it on again and more treats etc,
I don't really want to leave it on all the time but it's getting worse trying to get it on him for walks. I never react to his antics or run after him, I just sit down and wait and he eventually comes over and lies down in front of me.

Sorry I totally meant to post this on a new thread!!

You need a behaviourist not a trainer, ideally one that specialises in leash reactivity. If possible budget wise and there’s one a reasonable distance I’d try a behavioural vet specifically as they are most knowledgeable about if medication could help along with desensitisation and training and will be able to prescribe anything that may help. If you are comfortable stating general area if you live somewhere like West Yorkshire, London, Bristol ect so it’s not too outing a few of us on here may be able to suggest a few behaviourists we’ve had good experiences with. I wouldn’t say she’s at the point of being happier elsewhere yet as it’s definitely fixable to a highly manageable level if you have the time or funds but don’t feel bad if you need to do so due to lack of or if the situation worsens as long as she’s somewhere experienced with those issues or who will be working alongside a behaviourist to work with her on them. Although in the meantime I do suggest crate training one or both purely for meal times as I’ve had to do same and it has completely stopped any snapping or fights breaking out over food as they both know that’s their place they can eat undisturbed by the other and have no option to go near the other to make them feel threatened. Another thing you can try although may not work for all dogs is a noise to distract when barking (squeaky toy is what works for mine but may wind some up more ) then instead of giving toy throw treat down away from window in that few seconds of quiet and use her focus to redirect her to her bed or crate anywhere she considers her safe space and repeat and hopefully she begins to release she can retreat to her own place and gets treats for being quiet and choosing to retreat to safety rather than react.
Hope for both of your sakes it’s sorted soon it must be so stressful for the two of you not being able to enjoy time inside or out!

Thanks @Crzy - I have ended up taking her to a breed specific rescue where they work with behaviour problems and rehabilitate dogs. It may have been a bit premature, and I feel heartbroken, but I tried all the things suggested and it was just getting worse. I know it was the right thing to do, but I am so sad I could not get on top of it. I have had other dogs, always been able to work through problems but I just could not manage this and was desperate not to end up in a situation where another dog or she got hurt.

You had a behaviourist in, but it doesn't sound like you've given it that much time.
Also, you have to do EVERYTHING the behaviourist says. No cutting corners. In addition, if you're struggling, the behaviourist should be giving you support.
That said some dogs are suited to an only dog home.

I will be honest it sounds like you've given up already

Just seen your update and tbh I think it’s best for her too. You would’ve kept losing confidence in your ability to handle her and tbh even I wouldn’t feel comfortable that I’d be able to keep her under control and being at all unable to do so or showing anxiety while doing so just exasperates the issue so a specialist rescue who are well used to dogs her size and with similar issues and the ease of getting help for her and hopefully eventually another loving home for her is much better than you trying in vain when sometimes they just need a special person and some good help from resources you may not have available that they will. Much better outcome than her injuring herself or others and becoming much harder to find a place like that when you’re in a crisis with her.

Hope you’re kept updated on her even if it’s the seeing occasional Facebook post and she finds her person once her issues are under control x