Scared people will think my reactive dog is dangerous

[Gsdmama]

So I've been working really hard with my girl since we had her at 9 weeks. So a little background. I started training with my girl from the minute we had her with basic commands. We signed her up for puppy class once she had her second injections. The first session went well though she was a little shy. The second session a cockapoo barked at her and lunged which nerved her a bit. The third session the minute she saw the other dogs she reacted barking and lunging and the trainer did nothing to help me and she barked for ages. The trainer then told me to go in a corner out the way. From this minute on the trainer seemed to not spend as much time with my dog, just gave me basic commands to practice which my dog already knew. The last session we had was recall and all dogs had a turn off lead. Trainer didnt want her off lead but was happy for the snappy cockapoo to be off lead who ran straight to my dog. We let mine off and she came straight to me no issue at all, then the same cockapoo snapped again and my dog growled and barked and the trainer basically blamed my dog! I guess because she was the biggest there. I came out of that class in tears and never went back.
We found someone who deals with this breed and within seconds of meeting him my dog was under control. He took her to built up areas with barley a bark. He said shes not aggressive just slightly unsure and reactive and rather than letting her greet dogs and people to have her leave it and walk past. If we see someone we know to stop, have her sit and wait. So I've been working so, so hard on this and she's got so much better. She sometimes will bark but I stop, have her sit and wait. She's so much better with people but not a fussy dog she would rather sit and wait than have a fuss. She goes to work with my dp and gotten to know the people there and loves them. She sometimes even barks at people she knows well. She's still not 100% on dogs and will bark if they stare or run towards her. We have another dog aswell and she loves her, we have rabbits which she adores and is so gentle with. I dont leave her unsupervised with them so please dont worry. People shake their head, cross over or snap at me when out walking. Some people praise me for the work I put in. I would like to have her greet different dogs but because of the way she acts when the dog gets close, noone is willing to help me really. I have her off lead when no one is around, her recalls fab and she loves a ball so no matter what dog is around she will not leave my side but on lead she's different, as my trainer said she's more restricted on lead so has no where to run if feeling threatened. She's quite protective of me aswell. I've read in the news that people can report dogs if they see them as dangerous and this scares me. I don't want people to see her that way. She's such a good, highly intelligent dog and would hate to think someone would report because they don't understand her or how much effort I've put into training. She doesn't like strangers coming in the house so will bark and sometimes growl but she backs away and after seeing them a few times she'll go for a fuss. Hes never bared teeth or truly growled in a nasty way. If someone comes in the house shes unsure of she barks, slightly growls, sbiffs then runs to find a bone or toy. She's currently in the window watching workmen as quiet as a mouse when normally she'd be barking so my training is paying off in most ways. All the news regarding dogs recently has put me on edge because I don't want people think that of her. My other dog has no issues. I do walk them separately so I can concentrate on the training 1 to 1. Ive had many dogs successfully in the past but none were reactive. Im fully aware having a big dog bark at you can be scary, ive had it myself and been the one to judge unfortunately because i assumed these owners couldnt be bothered to train their dogs but now i know different. Little dogs in the street bark all the time but people find this cute and coo over them but when mine does it, its a different reaction. Any advice thanks and sorry for the long post just wanted to add as much as possible.

Forgot to add she's now 14 months old and a german shepherd.

Sympathies from me - it’s so hard to have your dog judged when it sounds like you are doing all you can by way of training etc.

I have a similarly reactive dog - she was a rescue so we did not have her from a puppy. She is worse when she is on the lead, probably as you say because she feels restricted and defensive. But she is so good 1-1 when there are no others around, and she is great with other dogs that she knows and sees regularly (eg neighbours and friends). She goes mad at small dogs when she is on her lead, and it is awful to think the owners are judging her (and us!)

I walk her 1-1 and try to go places where we will not meet other people or dogs. This does restrict us a bit, and I would love to be able to bring her on more popular walks near us. But it’s not fair to her or to other dog walkers around.

I have no real advice but to keep going with the training that you are doing. Can you take her back to the breed-specific trainer for further tips and strategies?

Unfortunately it's part of life with a reactive dog and it's horrible so you have my sympathies. My beagle has been reactive ever since he was attacked as a puppy - he's five now and while he's better, he'll never be 100% and other people's judgement is definitely the hardest part.

Big hugs to you x

Go to a different class for starters.

Of course people will react more warily of a big dog. Two random dogs have jumped up at me over the years when out and about one was a small terrier and the other was a massive dog that’s paws rested on my shoulders as it jumped on me from behind, the small dogs paws reached my knees. It’s like if my cat scratched or bit me versus a lion doing it or a small child went to punch me versus a massive adult.

I’ve had many a GSD and to be honest he majority have not loved strange dogs running up to them. They are most definitely an err on the side of caution type as a breed and are more interested in family.

I personally think you need to tweak your expectations a little. She’s nervous, probably genetically predisposed to being. She doesn’t need to be everyone’s friend. Aim for being able to walk past without reaction but don’t expect her to interact if she doesn’t want to, her confidence will increase once she realises an interaction won’t be forced on her. If she’s barking you’re too close to whatever it is she’s scared of, give her more space. I always stand infront of mine and block other dogs (or people if required!) so they know that they don’t need to react as I’ve already solved the problem.

Unfortunately people will always judge GSD and it’s always their fault (even when being bitten by a cockerpoo mine was blamed for lunging at it) so I try and protect my dog as best I can by not putting her in a situation she could react negatively in.

I do always make sure mine are on leads in public. That’s important as if anything happened yours is on lead and under control. I also make sure escape from the house is impossible, not that they would cross the door but just incase as a loose dog is a target. I dont really bother letting mine speak to visitors unless it’s someone that comes regularly enough for them to need to be friends with, it seems an unnecessary stress when they can just be put away. Finally, if I thought any of mine were a bite risk I would muzzle and feel no shame about it.

It’s hard but you'll eventually grow a thicker skin and not give a shit 😃 I would also suggest finding a better trainer, use a behaviourist qualified and registered with the APDT or ABTC.

Yes, if your dog lunged at me and barked as I was walking past, I'd be frightened, and assume it was aggressive.
I dislike dogs. I want to be left alone by them. So her approaching me would make me uncomfortable. And I don't know the difference between a "I don't like you" bark and a "I'm frightened" bark. So all barks are treated as if they are a warning.

I am no help at all but just wanted to commend you as you sound like a fab dog owner. Unfortunately we all have preconceived notions on certain breeds and it’s unfair. The other awful thing is you probably are putting out a nervous air to the world (understandable as they’re treating you this way). My friend has a reactive dog and when we encounter certain situations you see her stiffen up to hold the dog, people see this and their dogs react and her general response is to give them a dirty look if their dog doesn’t just walk by and causes her to be nervy. If I was great friends with her and had a dog I’d cross over the road! Best of luck op and try not to let others get to you and your dog sounds lovely x

Yes, this. I wouldn't be judging your dog, I would be scared of it.

Why did you get one?? They aren’t exactly a cuddly family pet type.
I really can not grasp the mindset of why anyone would actively choose to get a dog breed that is known to be aggressive and a potential risk.
yes, small yappy dogs can nip but not the same as these large breeds who were created to guard or fight.

I've got a rescue who can be reactive (she's a small fluffy thing so get less judgement though!).

I have a nervous lead which works well for us as it keeps other dog owners and their dogs away. She's much less reactive now that people give us a bit more space.

I also just don't walk her in places with other dogs, particularly off lead dogs, or places I know she will get stressed (like school run times).

It sounds like you have tried really hard with your dog.
unfortunately having an early experience with a dog that has been unsettling will have conditioned a neural pathway in your dogs brain as it was not dealt with in a way that you could counter condition it straight away.
tThat doesn’t mean to say you can’t do it later but it does take longer. A bit like getting back in a horse as soon as you fall off. It’s the same thing. You don’t want a fear response conditioned.
GSDs do tend to be genetically predisposed to being cautious of things they don’t know.
They are a Guardian/Herding breed after all.
I train dogs to ignore people and other dogs. That is what your trainer was trying to do by the sounds of it.
Sometimes it is worth asking yourself is the behaviour I want good for me or my dog? Do I want my dog to meet and greet people so I can be sociable?
Do I need to walk my dog in places where there are lots of people? Can I build it up gradually?
For example go to a retail park get out the car and just watch the world go by. What does your dog do?
Hope that helps a little

Thankyou so much for your replies and understanding. I just feel like we've been at this forever. My other dog is a golden retriever and was attacked when she was just 5 months old but has built confidence. She's a people lover and so friendly. Hence as to why I take them out separately because one loves to interact and one not so much. When with my partner we walk them together as we have a dog each.

My gsd has greeted dogs with just a bark then a sniff then that's it and even though she knows these dogs shell still have a bark but as the owners know her they are fine with it because they know shell calm. She's not a jumpy dog at all so doesn't jump on people or other dogs.

Majority of the time she can walk past other people and dogs just by me saying leave it but as long as the dog isn't too close. Though sometimes even if the dog is closer shell ignore which is why I find it strange shell sometimes walk past and other times become gobby.

When off lead playing ball I always put her on lead when I see another dog but many of other owners don't amd therefore their dog runs over and they shout its ok its friendly. That really annoys me. My girl was extremely tired after a long walk last week and a man past me with an akita on no lead, mine on lead. He stopped to say my dogs were lovely and strangley no bark from mine. His dog then out of the blue snapped at mine and proceeded to say he's never done that before.

I'm ashamed to say that at the beginning of this I was ending every walk in tears but now I'm starting to grow a thicker skin though do still worry what people will think of my dog I don't want them to think she's a danger. Even when an off lead jack Russel ran up to her she realised barking wasn't making the dog go away, the dog snapping at her feet, the owner running circles around me to get it, my dog just kept trying to back away and never snapped. That man then said your dog could have trampled my dog..."your dog was off lead and mine was on, how is that her fault".

She's calmed down alot around people if they walk past. The only time she barks is if they make her jump by coming out of nowhere or if a man walks towards me. If we have workmen around shell bark but thats her home with her people in so I understand. My ds had his gf over for the first time a few weeks ago and she barked and growled but after a few meets she's now friends with her but still barks everytime she turns up.

She is under a behaviourist who has seen improvement. She even goes nuts at him whenever we see him but calms the minute takes the lead.

Same.

If you are worried about somebody reporting your dog then I'd wager it's doing a bit more than just barking. Is it lunging at people? German shepherds are banned in a lot of countries, I wouldn't want to be anywhere near one that seemed anything other than completely calm.

I think you should actively avoid places with lots of people (please don't take it in John Lewis, cafes,on the school run etc), obviously on a non retractable lead at all times, and a muzzle would be preferable.

I completely understand that which is why I'm trying my best to train her. Unfortunately there's times I haven't been able to cross over when people approach us and I make sure I have good control over her and give the passer by space and always apologise and say I'm training her.

I’ve got a reactive dog. Rescue who was severely mistreated. Also a dog people are wary of. Unfortunately you can’t stop people who don’t understand from being judgemental. You can work on reducing your dogs reaction to her triggers by positive reinforcement (lovely treat when they see a trigger and walk on). We walk at odd times, cross the road to avoid people/dogs or put him in a down position until they pass if we can’t cross. We also start each walk with people watching from a distance for 5 mins. Helps him relax. It’s can be hard work and frustrating at times but that’s ok. I liken it to people staring if a kid is having a tantrum. It’s a small snapshot of their behaviour. Not the whole picture.

Oh thankyou so much.

I did my research before getting her and there were gsd in my family so I'm no stranger to them. This stems from dogs nipping at her or lunging at her. I've trained her from the word go. This can happen with any dog. I've had big dogs all my life and never encountered this and working hard to stop it

Good grief! A GSD is a perfectly normal family dog! They are often trained as service dogs, sometimes guide dogs. Why would you say this?

Ignore the unhelpful posts OP. You’ll never please them and nor should you bother trying.

It sounds like you're doing a fantastic job, keep working at the training. Lots of people absolutely hate big dogs so even if she was a model dog, they'd still be hating on you.

Also no idea why people that hate dogs come onto the doghouse section to comment, it's bizarre.

Is there any potential to do 1:1 training with a specialist trainer? That's what I'm doing with my large breed.

Do you know anyone else with a large breed that would be happy to meet up off lead in an enclosed field? Doesn't help with the school run but means she could play with other dogs that 'get' her?

Alot of live actually. I've got 2 children she absolutly adores, a dog she loves and 2 rabbits she lies next to. I didn't have her for anything other than a family dog. She's not trying to hurt anyone. She's been assessed by a behaviourist who has put through lots of assessments and training. It's a mixture of nerves from been snapped at by a load of offlead dogs, excitement, can't wait to get out. Alls I'm saying is a don't want her judged by the way she looks amd sometimes acts. If I thought for one minute she was dangerous I wouldn't still have her.

OP ignore the goady responses here. you are doing fine with your girl. But as other posters have pointed out if you tense she tenses. Try looking for local dog friendly businesses where you and your pup can hang out long enough to relax. I think some GSDs like control of their space (doors, ingress, egress). If she orients to this at home she may be one of them and if so walking along a road for her may be a bit ‘whoa! Info overload!!!’ Sitting with her in a quiet dog friendly cafe or pub beer garden, stroking and reassuring with a big pile of treats and a chew to help her work off her worry may go a long way with her helping her to feel relaxed in public spaces. And the positive feedback (google biofeedback) will relax you too.

GSD can make great family pets; we’ve had 3 in succession growing up and they were all lovely dogs. Very loyal, protective dogs and gentle with children.

However they are notoriously aloof and normally very suspicious of strangers outside of the family. It’s a breed trait (despite my parents last GSD thinking she could have a lap cuddle off every stranger she met).