Adopted reactive dog and desperate

[Dogwarwick]

We've rescued a 5 year old dog who was entirely biddable and subdued in kennels. They told us he was reactive but it was so impossible to believe because he was gentle and quiet.

10 days down the line and, whilst he's so beautifully behaved and a joy in the house, he is incredibly reactive to everything out and about - dogs, people, cyclists. Any sudden moves and he's snarling and lunging.

We have had another rescue dog before but never experienced this. We've read and watched everything we can on the subject and are living it on every walk. It's exhausting and, if anything he's getting worse. Also, it's clear that separation anxiety is going to be another problem. We are retired so this would be rare - but we find ourselves with a dog we can't leave even for a moment and can not trust on walks.

Does anyone have any stories about how they turned this around please? Was it possible? Did it take time? Have we made a terrible mistake.

I'm bloody desperate and feel awful for us and the poor dog.

Go to training classes-there's ones for adult dogs, and by behaviourists-and they're noy expensive.
You can also maybe ask the breed rescue to send someone to come to support, don't know if they all do this, but some do.

Same, it was absolutely horrific and I would never get another rescue again 😪

Seeing as this an older thread, how did you get on OP? Really hoping you came out the other side.

Allow him to decompress. Look up Chirag Patel. Engage disengage game is useful to practice. Keep distance from other dogs, people, anything he may react to.

I think you need to give it time. At the moment hou have a dog that is reactive to things and also doesn’t know you. Mine was like this, though she would pull out of her harness and run off rather than bark and lunge - she was afraid of men, sudden bangs, traffic, things flapping or flying, and the colour red. She calmed down with time, and I learned her triggers and how to avoid/manage them, without hiding away or only walking at night or anything that would reinforce her fears, and she learned to trust me to get her past scary things safely. Of course it may be that your dog will always prefer walking away from triggers, so certain routes or times will need to be avoided.

if lunging and teeth baring, muzzle training might help you and others feel more comfortable.

I think you do need to commit a period of time and see how things go. Personally I found a behaviourist unhelpful, and time and lots of time spent with my dog were the things that made me difference.

The thread came up on active - just realised how old it is! Hope things improved @Dogwarwick