Exercising Reactive Dogs Thread

[Scrappi&Monty]

Go Thistle!! (& Mum!) 

[Papillon Kisses]

Hope this link works. Your Vet Online is having a Q&A session/discussion with a vet behaviourist. Thought fellow reactive/anxious dog owners might be interested. You can leave your own questions on the page.  

 

https://www.facebook.com/yourvetonline/posts/508378899512230

 

ETA ok maybe the link doesn't work. But if you go to the Your Vet Online page you'll find the post.

Edited September 18, 2017 by Papillon Kisses

[Two Best Dogs!]

This Sunday we are being tested. I am practicing thistles stand for exam as much as I can. I do not think she will pass but one can hope! 

We are good for all other criteria it is the stand we always fail. 

 

I have signed up fir a rallyo workshop with thistle and have an eye on a tracking workshop for thyme!

 

our daily life is pretty good. There was a tense few weeks where thistles tail hurt her and thyme was a brat but we have moved past this and everyone learning to communicate with each other. When thistle is cranky with thyme he lays down and crawls under her and this seems to woo her over somehow???

 

Thymr seems to have mild separation anxiety. It's not getting worse and slowly getting better. It's only in regards to not being with me and not alone without thistle. He's not destructive he just barks for a bit but a random person got upset he was barking in the car while I was in pet store. He stops after a few minutes though so with time he get better. Treats to chew on help. 

 

i am planning special Saturday in bush for them as not been home as much lately. Must remember us hunting season there! Yellow!!

 

Past month no Noseworks but we hopefully return next week. Been practicing it is so much fun watching them follow the scent. Clever dogs. 

[Scrappi&Monty]

    .

Edited September 21, 2017 by Scrappi&Monty

[Papillon Kisses]

Can you record him, Thistle? Not barking doesn't necessarily mean better. There may be other anxiety signs like excessive panting, drooling, pacing, trembling, etc.

[Two Best Dogs!]

I can but yeah once he's done barking he lays down and goes to sleep or sits and watches. Usually he is being left out of something and that makes him sad. I'll try to remember this Sunday to record!

[Two Best Dogs!]

HE didn't do it yesterday at training, was too distracted by his alone-time-bone. Win for me? This is the last time I'm car rotating them as weather getting too warm. Only one dog next week!

 

I'll try and catch him at home. He behaves in a similar way if I have backdoor open. The trigger seems to be seeing me but not able to get to me. Sometimes I do tethered exercises where I walk away, reward for staying quiet etc etc try and build his confidence up. He doesn't carry on like this when in same situation at Noseworks? Can rotate easily there. 

 

thistle did not pass into advanced but I think we were not demoted. Also she managed to do 3 stand for exams without doing any go away displays and minimal foot movement! We have rarely had such success. 

 

@Starkehre's Bon went up, along with Ralph and Lottie. All three are the dogs Thistle and I felt "safest" being near (in that they won't break and are of reliable temperament). Will miss them! 

 

Will  have have to carefully scope out the rest for new "dogs we can go between" or just keep putting us on opposite sides to the small and fluffies. 

 

Am happy she was able to do something resembling stand for exam  

Edited September 24, 2017 by Thistle the dog

[Papillon Kisses]

How to live with a dog-reactive dog and not lose your shit: An (im)practical guide  

[Two Best Dogs!]

On 05/10/2017 at 2:40 PM, Papillon Kisses said:

How to live with a dog-reactive dog and not lose your shit: An (im)practical guide  

Quote

How to survive dog-reactive dog ownership and keep your sanity

1.Embrace sunrises. I have experienced countless sunrises and moments of serenity and peace in a busy city by getting up to walk/run Jersey at the crack of dawn before other dog owners awake. If I weren’t for Jersey’s dog rectivity I would be pressing snooze and out dodging all the other 9 to 5’ers walking their dogs pre-work. Wow I should write for hallmark.

2. Pretend you are a ninja. Leaving my apartment is an elaborate operation. Put Jersey behind me. Peer out peep hole. Open door a crack and crane neck to make sure dog next door is contained in the apartment. Emerge. Beat a hasty retreat to building exit. Now a decision on which door to exit by. Peer out front door and make sure french bulldog is not out….etc etc. On my walks I scan for Jersey’s arch enemies the reactive German Shepherd and the staring Akita. I can sense their presence even at a distance and without seeing them. My reflexes and 6th sense are better than ever. I am a dog-aggression-avoiding ninja. All of this is less stressful when you imagine yourself as a stealthy ninja. Try it.

3. Cry but don’t hit. It is not okay to hit your dog for being reactive but it is okay to cry, ask whhhhyyyy and point your hands skyward in the general direction of some type of god. Don’t lie. You have done it.

4.  Laugh at all the awkward moments. The other day I was talking to a gentleman from my neighborhood while out with Jersey. A dog appeared around the corner and I literally just darted away mid sentence without another word to the man. I have not seen this man since.

5. Get used to the smell of liver/your treat of choice. Carry them everywhere you go with your dog.They are your new best friend. Embrace them.There will be emergency situations where these treats will save your ass. Make sure to treat yourself to.Chocolate and alcohol generally do the trick (make sure you wash your hands first though)

6. Find other people with reactive dogs. Get together.Without your reactive rovers of course. RANT about how ridiculous dog owners in your neighborhood are. Laugh. Laugh more. Swap stories on dog reactivity.Reactive dog ownership can be a lonely world find others who understand

7. Think of all the funny places you end up in trying to avoid triggers. I have dove inside a bush, found myself far up somebody’s private driveway practically on their front step, hidden behind a pillar and crouched behind a low wall-all to avoid running into dogs.. Where have you ended up hidding from oncoming canines?

8. Sing to your dog. I have a neighbor with a very reactive dog who screams and spins like a top (the dog not the man).It never stops and I swear he is stalking me because I can never seem to escape him on walks. When I am becoming twitchy and irritated by him I sing a variety of songs to Jersey. The other day I sang “that’s alright..that’s okay..she’s gonna pump your gas someday” through clenched teeth and a forced smile.It helped. Dance parties in the living room are also a great way to unwind from a stressful walk (solo or in partnership with your dog).

9. Love and acceptance. Love your dog  when they progress and love them still when they turn into snarling whiling dervishes. Never ever take any positive dog interactions for granted and savor (and reward) these moments. Accept your dog for who they are and set realistic goals.Jersey will never be a social butterfly but she is learning to make better choices when she see’s dogs on the street rather than lunging or barking.

10. When all else fails=whipped cream. Right out of the can. Repeat again and again as needed.

lol!!!

 

[Papillon Kisses]

I have dived into a bush. No joke.

 

Also ran up the driveway and stood in the garden of someone's house in a fancy suburb. They peered out their window like WTF. I pointed to Malcolm. Pointed to other dog. Waved and went on our way.  

[Two Best Dogs!]

Today! We visited Kepala (good for reactive dogs since you rent out an activity area and nobody else bothers you and there's a pool!) and then we visited K9 Elementary Indoor Dog Park (also can rent out so nobody bothers you!)

 

The former has more variety but the latter was a blessing because it's so f***ing hot, there's like no shade at kepala so indoors was good!

 

We also tried out the day care area while I ducked across the road to do some work. Thistle let them put a lead on her, walk her, potty her and water her She even hung around on lead in the kitchen while some drinks were made for my return! Very brave girl.

 

 

 

 

After this test run, @dididog , I'm gonna agree - I'm thinking would be fun to intro george to thistle and thyme here, lots of stuff for someone to go in if feeling overwhelmed.

 

I asked about using the runs if we need to rotate anyone out, we'd have to contact in advance and possibly book one. They're interested to see how we go about introducing Thistle to strange dogs because they're considering hiring trainers to do reactive dog socialising courses.

 

I might offer Thyme as a socialising dog when he's more mature. He's pretty laidback with other dogs and doesn't react back or freak out if they have a go at him.

 

All puppied out:

 

Edited October 27, 2017 by Thistle the dog

[Scrappi&Monty]

Looks like they had a blast! 

[Scottsmum]

Awesome!

[Two Best Dogs!]

How is everybody? Hoping rahbet can join us!

 

due to thyme getting involved in science I have enrolled thistle into a new dog school. We are edging in carefully. Some might think we are too cautious but better safe and sorry as I want her neither bolting or chasing after a small fluff. she is in their advanced class but very different exercises. things like sitting in a heel while another dog recalled past (at the comfortable distance of challenge, but not react without thinking)

 

The past month has been great. She has been mostly calm and I haven’t even needed rescue remedy for the vet. 

 

She wagged at the vet! Looked miserable but not cowering. 

 

Soon I hope to introduce her carefully to dididogs pointer pup via a side by side walk.

 

 

Interestingly, thyme seems to be going through a stranger danger phase. People that have previously not bothered him, he is suddenly scared of and barks at. We are doing a bit of people watching but I think it might be teenage hormones. He has also suddenly started mounting, marking and in general - being a bit of a brat. 

 

He even postured at a pair of GSDs having a go at him and a week later at a large gsd x husky (who was approaching us much too fast). Insecurity + boy hormones? Amused but not impressed, took a breath and reminded myself he is a teenage shit right now. Ask him to sit. Give treats. Do some BAT and the following week had him laying calmly next to that cross. (Barring a moment where he wanted to play). 

 

I expect he will train and grow out of it. 

 

Interestingly, Thistle ignores his upsets unless it is stranger dangery. 

 

So a few front yard chilling sessions. Reminding them both to watch calmly no bark. Chat with neighbours and the like.

 

Overall enjoying the two dog life. 

 

Pic: Early morning city walk.

Edited March 14, 2018 by Thistle the dog

[carnelian]

Hi everyone!

I have a 2yr old gsdxhusky female named Ahri. 

Ive been working on Ahri dog reactivity for just over a year now by myself and around 2-3 months ago we've reached the point where can walk past most dogs without her exploding! Ive gotten alot of help online, instagram, facebook, youtube and contacting balanced trainers from America etc and theyve helped me alot with Ahri's behaviour and educating me.

Im really glad there are other people out there working and training their reactive dog(s) or any behaviour problems theyre experiencing.

Anyways a quick update on our training, Thursday morning at 9:10am i took Ahri to the park and did some training in an empty car park, did awesome, recall was awesome, there werent really any distractions for us to practice but its w.e

After around 40min we see 2 dogs Ahri has met and gotten along with before, we go to them but before we do i put Ahri in a sit stay so i can adjust her prong incase she misbehaves, i then release her to go say hi. I talk to the owner for around 20min while carefully watching Ahri socialise awkwardly with the other dogs, she was very talkative this morning -_- husky side of her.. but she did great, listened to my commands very nicely!

anyways thats it! hope i can get advice from other trainers/handlers or give advice!

thanks for reading!

 

Edited March 15, 2018 by rahbits

[Two Best Dogs!]

Well done for working diligently on her! How long have you had her for? Photos? She must have lots of fur to brush?

 

being she is maturing out it should hopefully get easier to manage her and avoid any explosions at all as time progresses. 

 

And even without distractions is good you are able to find a quiet location to practice your recall and exercise her. One of the most important skills I think, right next to walking politely on a lead. 

 

When I want to work specifically on dog distractions for recalls and focus and the like, I like to find a fenced dog park and start our drills at a distance then work our way in. Only 15-20 mins or so, so she doesn’t work herself up and maintains her calm frame of mind. We can get right up to the fence these days. Noting I don’t let her greet the dogs even through the fence. Strange dogs are unpredictable. Better she remember to ignore them. 

[Chloe08]

Hello

i am not sure many people come here anymore. I hope everyone is making progress with their dogs. I have a slightly reactive/shy standard poodle. On advice from a trainer we have used LAT with some success so she usually inside other dogs and people when walking but it’s hard to get her used to new people as we don’t have many coming into our house to practice with. I was wondering if anyone could recommend a good trainer who could help us take the next step forward please. Thank you for any help. 

[Papillon Kisses]

Hi Chloe, where abouts in Vic are you? Feel free to PM if you’d rather.

[Chloe08]

Hi there.

thank you for a such a quick response.  

I am in Brunswick in Melbourne. I don’t mind travelling a bit for some help. I have a list of positive trainers but I am not sure where to start. I have read a lot about fearful dogs and I understand the ideas but I think having someone assess us again would be helpful. Thanks again. 

[Two Best Dogs!]

You are not far from me! I used positive k9 training in Kew. You have both the options of one on ones and classes (or both!). 

 

Its been nearly three years since I started with them and couldn’t be happier. I go now for the fun and to keep both dogs skills up but at the start with one big reactive scared dog they were the most priceless. 

 

I would contact chris with them for a one on one and an assessment for what you can do around your house  

 

he is also great at answering questions you might have about methods and approaches. 

Edited March 19, 2018 by Thistle the dog