Jenseeya

Did you find anyone? I'm also on the lookout for dogsitter swaps. I've got a kelpie x.

That's great. Onya Stella!

Thanks for the suggestions. I unfortunately couldn't really get away. It was an unfortunate situation where this dog was so quick that we were a bit cornered and I froze a bit. Up until that point he'd been doing really well watching this same dog on the other side of the fence. There is a hole in the fence that the dog could get through, and the owner hopped over the fence. I will be more armed if there's a next time and just assume that an off lead dog will approach and get the hell out.

Took Phoenix to my son's sport practise session today, took him for a big 4.5k walk then sat down with him afterwards watching my son. We'd encountered other dogs on leads on the walk and he was really good then a woman and her off lead dog came nearby. Phoenix was on the lead and got very excited before I could really do anything. The off lead dog kept running up to us and past us wanting to play and Phoenix of course didn't know what to do and was beside himself jumping around. He didn't really bark and growl, just jump as if he wanted to play but there was no way I was letting him off the lead. I told the woman to get her dog under control and she answered back 'I'm trying' as she walked away trying to get her dog's attention. Deep breath. I guess I need to be more prepared for these unexpected situations so if anyone's got any tips I'd like to hear them. Thanks.

Thanks, and yes. My last dog was pretty good although sometimes she was unpredictable. But because I could take her to the local park and let her off lead I met heaps of people and their dogs in the local area. Can't do that with this dog, and I'm now understanding it may never happen. It's a pity!

Hi, it's great to read this thread and see what other people's reactive dogs are like and what you're doing about it. I got Phoenix as a rescue dog a couple of months ago (kelpie/staffie cross - maybe with a bit of Lab) and he's great with people and with dogs he knows but not so great on lead with dogs he doesn't know. So I don't dare take him to the local park to let him off lead. I'm in the process of training him after a consult with a behaviourist and he's responding pretty well so far. He also gets car sick. I wonder if all of this is anxiety related. I'm hoping he grows out of this but am mindful that he may not. I've got some medication from the vet for longer car trips although that's expensive and I've also ordered some Adaptil upon recommendation from behaviourist. (Note, I accidentally started my own topic introducing Phoenix. Apologies for dual post.)

Sorry, just realised I posted this in wrong thread. Don't know how to change it to the right one.

Hi, it's great to read this thread and see what other people's reactive dogs are like and what you're doing about it. I got Phoenix as a rescue dog a couple of months ago (kelpie/staffie cross - maybe with a bit of Lab) and he's great with people and with dogs he knows but not so great on lead with dogs he doesn't know. So I don't dare take him to the local park to let him off lead. I'm in the process of training him after a consult with a behaviourist and he's responding pretty well so far. He also gets car sick. I wonder if all of this is anxiety related. I'm hoping he grows out of this but am mindful that he may not. I've got some medication from the vet for longer car trips although that's expensive and I've also ordered some Adaptil upon recommendation from behaviourist.