Exercising Reactive Dogs Thread

[Two Best Dogs!]

Maybe that's what it called? There seems to be so many types x-x I'm going to be a bit worried myself so anything that makes me be more chill for the dog is also a plus? I'm just as worried over new things as she is now! Maybe even more!!

Have been reassured this park is basically empty during on lead hours which I'm a fan of :p

I've also booked a day off to take thistle to aqua paws - were gonna book out one of their fenced parks just for us :D

Edited August 28, 2015 by Thistle the dog

[Two Best Dogs!]

I'm hoping I will relax by thinking about her relaxing!

Aqua paws is a hydrotherapy centre for dogs in Melbourne. They're very "yellow dog" friendly and I heard you can have their dog park to yourself - called up and the lady confirmed we can lock the gate and have free run of the park! Without worrying about someone else showing up! So thistle can run off lead safely! And it doesn't cost anything! 2 hour drive tho but worth it to be able to let her off lead without worrying about a panic or another dog running over :D we can practice recall.

[Taliecat]

Aqua paws sounds amazing thistle!

It's fantastic they give dogs this opportunity to have a good run around

[Two Best Dogs!]

Unfortunately they close early Saturday's and aren't open Sunday's.. So I'm taking September 9th off under the guise of celebrating my birthday but really we are just going to drive all the way there. Lady on the phone said weekdays are quiet :) I'll call again the week of to make sure they're still okay with it.

I'm on my way home to go to petbarn and pick up a pheromone collar or some kind of relaxing chewables. I really want this Sunday to be a success but so many things could go wrong @-@

Keep reminding myself it's just a walk with no interaction

...

I need the confidence boost too :D and ps. Gonna run this all past the behaviourist in case she offers suggestions. Must remember to walk confidently and be calm for thistle!

EDIT GOT MY CONFIDENCE BOOST! TODAY AT MY LOCAL BEST FRIENDS ONE OF THE LADIES HAD BROUGHT HER DOG IN (a very calm and submissive but calm spaniel of sorts) AND AFTER SOME CHILLING CALMLY NEAR EACH OTHER THISTLE GAVE POLITE NOSE SNIFFS! TWICE!

(I of course rewarded and praised MAJORLY for such polite and not-reactive behaviour!)

But I'm so happy that we've finally had her have a real and proper polite dog sniff without any growling or nipping or the usual major tenseness she gets when another dog looks at her!

The tenseness came back when the puppy class so we left soon after but so proud of her!

Also I bought some adaptil! It's the one you plug in the wall but we reckon dabbing it on her thundershirt and leaving it for an hour will be fine.

Edited August 28, 2015 by Thistle the dog

[Two Best Dogs!]

The day went well! She even sniffed the dog I'm hoping to get her used to (for future walks/hiking/camping type things in the FAR future. Like, 3-4 years down the track cause they got a newborn).

Positive things included:

- canoodling with the microchip backup person

- disinterested in the baby

- face sniffing with 0.5 m between them on a loose lead

- doing a trick for the dude!

- accidentally bumped into other dog and didn't freak out (other dog is pretty chill, was excited to have a friend for the walk and a bit?? at the distance we had going on)

- butt sniffing while walking

- almost walking side by side at one point, with casual disinterested glance at each other

Negative:

- some person's...are mini staffies things? Looked like staffies but half the size. Two running around offlead with balls in their mouth. They mobbed other-dog and just about gave both of us a heart attack - however I had yelled out "call your dogs!" and the little girl who had started running towards us had amazing recall and turned and went back to owner. Made sure to thank her as we walked past but didn't get any kind of response but w/e *shrug* this was strictly on lead hours so she was the one disobeying the rules... don't get to be frowny at me "ruining" your dog playing fetch in the on-lead park...

Thistle's reaction to the dog rushing us was a bit of worry then as dog zoomed towards she got into her... I'm not sure what you'd call the pose, she goes into a semi-cicle submissive crouch but the hackles go up. I'm pretty sure she was getting to leap forward and nip air though.

Everything else after that was nice. She had no problems with the prams, nearby children, bikes, scooters and a jogging group (although did give a quiet "woof" at them).

Won't go back. Developing a deep abiding hatred of off lead dogs. And jealousy. Honestly I don't care if Thistle can never go offlead, I just want to get her to the point where she'll let a dog run up to her, sniff, then run off without freaking out and escalating it

Looking forward to September and getting a whole dog park to ourselves X_X

So tired though. I'm ordering us take out, she deserves a slice of pizza for such a big day.

Not sure I noticed if the adaptil spray did anything or if she was still tired from obedience class.

I'm turning this into a hug box I'm sorry ;-;

Oh, our trainer went on a speech about how we need to do everything we can right by these dogs because they're our best mates and I agree. I am learning so much with Thistle and I love her so much every time she looks to me to solve her problems. Lab on a lead over there worrying you out? no problem i got this, we'll walk around. off lead pointer? i got this let me yell-ask the person to recall and we'll go the other way. That tree in the yard freaking you out? Do not worry I am hiring a chainsaw and it will be gone.

Best friend <3

Edited August 30, 2015 by Thistle the dog

[CHA]

Thistle that sounds soooo positive, sounds like she did an amazing job with just about everything. Well done to you ????

I too hate off lead dogs rushing up to us, sends my girl into a meltdown and its very hard to get her back from that. But controlled situations she can be fine and enjoy herself, as long as I keep reading her body language and keep an eye on the situation at all times. Its very tiring though! You deserve pizza and a lie down :laugh:

[Two Best Dogs!]

Being attentive for her is so hard and hiding it from her is twice as hard! But she probably feels like this 24/7 so I think I'll just keep sucking it up and learning. Might dial the socialising a bit back though, she's been doing really well. Don't want to flood her :S

I'm thinking next dog desensitisation last week september maybe. Excluding dog classes of course.

This is so hard though idk how you guys do it! *dies*

[hankdog]

I think a dog on leash is always going to react more to an off leash rushing at them. It's pretty Unfair of their owners to allow it but I'm guessing there wasn't too much recall involved.

We had a tragic session this week. Jake just doesn't generaluse plus whenever I teach him something he seems to twist the lesson. I've been experimenting with not plying him up on the first linge so basically if he lunges he gets "punished" by having to be closer to the dog. So this has worked well for really enhancing his avoid response except now he seems to have decided it's an either or decision. So he either takes off in the opposite direction (lovely) or decides to really go for a committed charge( not so lovely). After I've pulled him up he will then look at me and expect a reward for stopping. So basically on Friday he was a turd but ended up getting half a jar of peanut butter.

Anyway we have decided to be tougher this week so he'll get an "Onya" for stopping being a turd but peanut butter only if he has a hassle free encounter.

I'm really rubbish at being hard on him but he's so quick to lunge out and sometimes when I'm restraining him I don't think he even recognises me.

[Two Best Dogs!]

Thanks everyone ;-; it all gets a bit over whelming at times!

They were cute dogs whatever they were.

Did justice enjoy his cemetery walk? It's nice seeing him recovering from those side effects! He's inspiring :)

Poor Hank and I hope your shoulder is okay with all his back and forthing. I think you described what we do - if she plays up she'll get an OI and made to sit then rewarded with words or a pat. But if she doesn't lunge she gets treats?

I did have to give her a harsh correction in class for wanting to chase a barking SWF today. It was harsher than usual and I felt bad but her response was immediate and she slammed her but into a sit. Then I gave her love. But I felt bad. But she listened so it was good so I think learning to have "the voice" and serious business face is prob good?

[Two Best Dogs!]

Aside from holding desperately onto the lead my correction was an verbal "OI-Aaaargh!" Which was uh not my intention it just kind of came out *embarassed face* Normally it's just "oi!" Or "hey!"

But her reaction was just to turn around and sit (no cowering like with someone else) so I'm hoping she took it as a "whoops i shouldn't have over reacted!" instead of a "holy shit mum is upset". And lots of love for turning back towards me and ignoring the dog!

Definitely try not to correct too much for reacting to dogs although sometimes I slip like going "oi" I instead of recalling after a growl just only the extremes like when she lunges towards (half excitement half?????). She gets rewards and praise for calmly looking (or ignoring or anything calm or positive) if that makes sense? So I hope I'm not mixing up our communication and confusing her or making too many mistakes. Darn inexperience :s

So glad I've got DOL and my trainers to talk things about and help make sure minimal mistakes

Ps I too was very surprised by the sit! I must have sounded very stern.

And I try to keep everything positive. I read if you're saying no more than 5 times a day you're doing something wrong? I'd say my oi's are more like 5 times a week tops. And praise and love is 24/7!

Edited August 31, 2015 by Thistle the dog

[Two Best Dogs!]

Yeah there's so much to remember and sometimes it all just leaves my head and it's back to instinct x_x'

I'm lucky she seems so forgiving of mistakes and eager to learn. Just scared senseless sometimes (i don't think she was scared this particular time, I think she was more being typical excited-dog-sees-another-excited-dog-and-gets-naughty. Other dog was told off too, for running around barking like a headless chook!)

Aww yay Justice! I hope he will be able to progress into no-meltdowns, he's such a champ :) I keep hoping you'll post more pictures.

I want to see pictures of Jake too n_n

[hankdog]

Annoying experience 999 today. I saw a large dog across from me at a traffic light but decided that we could handle it since the crossing was quite wide. I didn't see the two additional flexi-leashed fluffies until they came yapping through the crowd of people as we were in the middle of the street and had to go from doing a quiet peanut butter-lured walk past into a yelling, shrieking middle-of-a -six- lanehighway crowded with people fiasco. I dragged yelling Jake across the road and then stopped to do LAT and then copped a verbal bashing about my "unsafe" pit bull from an old man. Instead of telling him to rack off I became all grovelly and pitiful. I'm so cross with myself, my dog has every right to walk unchallenged down the road. Whilst he was the loudest participant in the whole fiasco he didn't start it and he was the most under control, safely restrained dog.

Edited September 1, 2015 by hankdog

[Two Best Dogs!]

Poor Jake and you why couldn't the people just move off to the side or stop heading in your direction when they saw that their dogs upset yours?

I'm so pathetically greatful when people are understanding or listen. They seem far and few between. And I'll always stop walking towards or change direction if someone else or their dog seems uncomfortable

[hankdog]

I'm still seething today, although slightly pacified by a trip to ikea to buy lots of boxes and stepping stools to make interesting things to climb on and over at training. I got some little curved steps to place in a snake to climb along, that should give him something to think about rather than trying to bark at everyone.

[Taliecat]

I'm very proud of Dozer this morning. He can be quite noise phobic.

We've got the mower and pressure cleaner going at the moment, and he's calming chilling next to me in my craft room with an audio book playing and wearing one of my singlets.

No panting or trying to climb into my lap at all!

I hope everyone's weekend is going well!

Eta :

Bonus photo

Mum, what are you doing??

Edited September 6, 2015 by Taliecat

[Two Best Dogs!]

Oh what a stylish fella! Well done to him for chilling calmly! Is he as soft as he looks? I wish I could say hello to everyone's dogs!

Can we make it a rule that whenever someone's posts about their dog they share a picture? ;)

We got commended in class today for great focus, even when someone's off lead dog crashed the class (I yelled for the trainer when it away from its owner which was like half a second after she let the lead unclip, so it didn't get to interact with thistle so no set backs :) ). Thistle only whimpered a bit anxiously. I put adaptil on her scared vest so I wonder if that helped?

So excited for kepala on Wednesday.

[JulesP]

One of my fav display gardens mentioned that they allow dogs on their FB page yesterday. I've been to the gardens a couple of times and have never seen dogs. This is a private, pay to enter type place. Would certainly be a very civilised place for an on-lead walk. There are a couple of other places a round here that you wouldn't think to take dogs but you can (other gardens). So maybe check out local touristy places near you and see if dogs are allowed.

[Taliecat]

He is every bit as soft as he looks Thistle! I'm always suprised by how soft his coat is and how scratchy it goes if his food isn't agreeing with him.

And thank you Snook, OH says he looks "tough " I tend to disagree and call him adorable!

I don't have words for how proud I was that he pretty much dozed off while the mower was going, which is actually how he got his name.

When he was a wee pup he used to fall asleep standing up, now he's more of a bulldozer

[hankdog]

I always assumed he was the bulldozer type Dozer, although he is quite athletic looking.

Fatso had a lot of fun playing on his new toys at training. He is remarkably sure footed and much better behaved when he is doing something. He was able to walk across narrow raised planks after about 5 tries and also able to walk sideways with his front on the plank and his back on the ground. We also had some little kids stepping stools that have non slip rubber underneath and he easily stepped from one to another over 4 which I Would think would be tricky because they are quite narrow. He had a standard poodle distractor dog and he did get upset a few times but called himself off and got back on task quite quickly. Right now he has a broken dew claw that he won't let me near, even with OH holding him he nearly bit so I'm hoping the quick will retreat and I'll be able to trim the broken bit in a few days. Of course it had to happen when I was carless and can't get to the vet.

[Two Best Dogs!]

Kepala was awesome n_n the staff were pretty nice around accommodating her (she only cowered a LITTLE bit but I came prepared with her fave dog biscuits as people-bribes) and the agility section was way fun!

Pics click here

And one pooped out puppy: