I love my Ddog but I'm struggling. Quite alot, actually.

[SmotherhoodandApplePie]

He is 3. There's just him and me and I don't work so we're together alot of the time. I had him as a puppy and did alot of searching and researching before I went ahead. He is CKCS. We did puppy training both the Dogs Trust and I had a private trainer to help with all the usual puppy stuff.

Anyway, we had a lovely relationship which is now under stress because of his reactivity. It's really hard to manage (in fact I'm not managing in an emotional/psychological sense and to some extent physically).

The worst part is that every single morning for the past few weeks he wakes at about 6 ish and he is clearly on high alert.He used to have a cuddle and fuss and we would have some bonding time. But now I have to let him out because he becomes out of control reactive and body slams the patio doors whilst yelping and barking hysterically. And straining so hard on the lead to get out that I can hear the strain on his throat.
I have to grab his collar and lead and get it on him whilst holding him back as he is frantically trying to get away and outside. Once in the garden it's worse as at that point all the neighbours can hear him and probably see him dragging me around the perimeter of the garden and everywhere else in between. It's awful..I don't talk to him at this point because I've learned that it doesn't make any difference.

He calms down after a while but by this time I am so upset with him and myself and I'm sure he picks up on that. There is also literally no point in my trying to use distraction or treats - it simply doesn't work for a dog that is clearly in fight or flight.

So a while ago, a fox was hanging around and I get that this would be a trigger. I scatter coffee grounds in the garden every day as I heard foxes don't like them. Last night a neighbours cat was in the garden and all hell let loose.

Now he's also lunging at traffic when we are out on a walk - and to get to green space we have to walk by a road at least some of the time. I've done alot of training with him on that but I feel he is so anxious that he's never fully relaxed now. Once a day we also go in the car either to the beach or the woods so he can roam safely and do his thing.

I've booked a Vet appt next week because I don't know what to do. Ddog is not castrated but did have the implant for a while. Sorry for the long post. DD knows a vet nurse who said the Vet will probably advise a Behaviourist.

also I have a schnauzer puppy who loves the sound of her own voice. I got a water pistol and squirted her (not in the face) when she barks hysterically . It only took a couple of times. I then tell her she’s a good girl when quiet and she gets a treat. Your dog sounds like it needs out first thing, and then a walk later.

I’m another one wondering why he hasn’t been castrated. Surely that will calm him down a bit?!

Clearly you didn’t bother to read the thread where you would have seen a professional behaviorist (ie, me) explain why this is terrible advice

You can try a chemical castration if the vet thinks it’ll help.
It might be worth sending him to doggy daycare a couple of times a week. Gives you a break and spending the day playing and chilling with other dogs might both calm him down and wear him out. Some dogs really benefit from being around other dogs.

I’m pretty sure that the dog trainer we know would say that your dog is showing signs of extreme fatigue and over stimulation. Maybe cut back on the exercise a bit.

Your insurers may pay for a behaviourist, check your policy. I wonder what would happen if you took him out first thing, straight out the front, so avoiding the garden? He's obviously on high alert and maybe diverting him would help? You can get the something to calm him down, maybe discuss with the vet. Failing that it sounds like a case for Graham in Dogs Behaving Badly. Hope you get the answer soon.

Does he have to wait until 9am to toilet?

I would buy some kibble - Forthglade if you prefer that brand, and scatter feed him ie either hide the kibble in the garden for him to sniff and find, or chuck a couple of handfuls into the grass, which will give you time to get ready and while he's using his nose, he won't we so obsessed with his environment and all the smells that are exciting him. It will drain some energy first thing. You may have had a trainer - but that's not the same as a behaviourist. Also vets do not know much about behaviour. I have a vet as a customer of mine and not long ago he told me this- they hardly get any training in behaviour. Personally I could never put 3yr old dog on an SSRI. He sounds under stimulated in the home. Brain games and sniffing games (hide some kibble in old Amazon boxes/toilet roll tubes, etc) will really enrich his day so have a go at those. I have a Newfoundland and a VERY highly strung, working line Labrador - I have also had many other breeds too but she was sent to try me... we always start the day with sniffing in the garden. If all he does indoors is sleep and cuddle with you, you are not meeting his needs I'm afraid. Funnily enough I was chatting to a couple who had a CKCS pup last week who was chasing leaves... wishing you good luck. My Lab has been a massive challenge but has become the best dog I've ever owned. We do LOADS of stuff together - for her, not me; I always take my dogs to environments and to train in what they are bred to enjoy -I did swimming and rescue training with my Newfoundland and she can pull me to the shore if I was inconveniently drowning! It makes me so happy to see them doing what they were bred to do and they love it.

I’d recommend a consult with a veterinary behaviourist, who can assess both potential medical and behavioural contributors and advise on any further investigations or medications if indicated (as part of the behaviour modification plan). Hope you see improvements soon. It’s tough living with a reactive dog.

This is a fallacy. Neutering can reduce a dog's confidence as it is partly testosterone driven and make them more reactive/anxious. They also put on weight more easily once neutered. There's usually no reason to neuter a male dog that is well controlled - we don't have lots of stray/left yo wander dogs and unwanted litters these days.

Agree with this. Best have behaviour assessed first. If on the fence for castration then opt for chemical instead of surgical so it’s reversible / temporary .

Chemical castration is often recommended as a ‘try before you buy’ pain free option.
It is not always. There are potentially serious behavioural side effects which render some dogs irreversibly fear reactive

I think you’re walking him too much; you’re turning him into a high alert athlete. (We were told by behaviourists not to do this with our rescue, who is extremely alert.) I also think have him castrated. I’ve only ever had female dogs, but I have had male cats and horses, and they are completely different animals when castrated. I don’t see how dogs would be any different.

Yes, there is a link there and I'm sure a behaviourist could explain it to you. Its probably related to your anxiety over his behaviour but he seems to be defending his territory and you. Behavioural training is more about training the owner than the dog. Go to your vet, see what he recommends but he sounds like he's either become territorial or overprotective. Best of luck I'm sure you will be able to find some help from the vet.

My dog is nearly six and went through a nightmare garden phase, barking all the time, constant demanding to go out. Persistence paid off bur it was also a phase. Yours may well improve before too long. Anything inside white noise works an absolute treat. I have a machine by the bed now.

You can not walk him too much and castration will probably make it worse.

If you do see a behaviourist and they suggest less walks or constantly feeding cheese then walk away and find someone else.

As a behaviourist, I can tell you 100% you are utterly wrong.
It is definitely possible to create issues by over exercising a dog.

I honestly should probably stay away from forums like this. The amount of absolute drivel people come out with -albeit well meaning- is utterly depressing

Hi OP, I have an 18 month old, 9 stone adolescent dog, who has a prey drive through the roof & would luge at a LEAF If it happened to blow past us on a walk! He’d also be extremely reactive to other dogs (all in excitement, not in a fierce way!), cyclists, joggers, sirens…pretty much anything really!!! It was a NIGHTMARE!!! A behavioural therapist saw us whilst we were out for a walk in the park & I got in touch. He went away for a rehab residential for 3 weeks & whilst he’s not completely ’cured’ he’s definitely a gazillion times better! I could even have him off lead now if I want. Walks are now enjoyable (for both of us) - whereas, they used to be something I’d do because I had to!
I’m not sure where in the country you are, but our trainer is near Doncaster. It’s totally transformed our lives with our dog & I couldn’t recommend it enough.

Please switch to a harness for his lead rather than attaching it to his collar. It will give you more control when he's reacting and wont hurt his neck.

Thank you, I think I can access a behaviourist via my KC insurance.
Re: castration chemical or surgical.
He was in daycare once a week for a while so had to be chemically castrated. But now he's not and my vet is reluctant to castrate dogs without a medical need and I'm good with that.
I think Ddog gets about the right amount of exercise of different types I.e. on lead, off lead, sniffy, playing with me and socialisation. He knows what to do if I say "settle" .
However - since I've stopped putting him on the lead and taking him into the garden, the frenzy has stopped . Vet says Ddog seems very healthy.
@Dunnocantthinkofone thank you for taking the time to post on my thread.

This is incorrect

The most likely cause of his behaviour (not a diagnosis - professionals won’t do that over the internet unlike laymen!) is barrier frustration. Which is why on lead is so bad v off lead.
Any half decent behaviourist will be able to help you OP

Would echo the PP who said - do not get him castrated!!! It can make an anxious dog a LOT worse.

Because they are dogs and not cats or horses….!
OP it might be worth doing some focused training. I’ve got working spaniels - I know CKCS are different but they are still spaniels and mental stimulation is absolutely vital. Obedience/agility/Gundog work could all give him a mental outlet and help calm him.

Once again for the hard of thinking.

Castration for SOME dogs may be appropriate, if endorsed by a vet and a behaviourist. But will make behaviour much much worse in other circumstances

case by case basis = cautious yes
blanket advice by the uninformed who’ve never even seen the dog? HARD no