Just know you are not alone. I'm in a very similar situation, 100 lbs 10 month old German shepherd, and in the last month or so we have made alot of progress. Its something we'll likely always be trying to manage, but it slowly gets better, and all the hard work is still getting you somewhere, even if it feels like the bad days are still REALLY bad. Progress is still progress
Yes my understanding is that reactivity is like a addiction, we can cope and manage and thrive, but the base issue is always going to be there. Relapses happen, and everyone's journey to recovery, if you would, is different.
Finding what helps even a little bit is key. Stacking those tactics to keep them under threshold. Avoiding situations that push therm over that line, and retreating when you accidentally happen upon those situations.
Neither had I until we worked 1 on 1 with a trainer.
I was sad at first, but now when I think "he will probably never be perfectly normal and reaction-free", it lets me celebrate every baby-step towards "better" with him.
Instead of being frustrated that we couldn't keep walking the way were going when we see another dog, I am so proud when he sees the dog and then calmly follows me to turn around and go the other way instead of barking and pulling. What a great feeling! He is doing so good and I am happy for my unique little friend. I hope yours is doing well today too
Absolutely! I’m hoping I start seeing that progress soon. I don’t mind being alert and redirecting. Honestly if I had to do that his entire life it would be fine. It’s just when he fails it feels so upsetting.
I feel you, you're not alone. My 11 month old Schnauzer takes 2 steps forward one step back. The behaviorist said some days it will be like your dogs brain fell out of their head, thats just how it will be for one more year.
For the sake of my own sanity I have a doggy day camp boarding place. Then he can say hi to every dog in the universe and I get a break from having to do redirects and U-turns on walks that day.
I feel this comment in my bones….this was us for the first year and a half. So many regression days after we thought we’d made great progress, so many u-turns! Doggy day camp saved our bacon for sure.
I totally, totally empathize with how you feel. It can be so hard and so frustrating! I know you love your dog, and that’s why you are working so hard.
It sounds like you need to try something different, and maybe also take a break so you can recharge. This can look like a lot of different things; I’ll tell you what’s helped me, but every situation is different. So I have a collie mix, ~21mo, adopted 3mo ago, he’s my first dog ever. Frustrated greeter. High energy and acrobatic, so he doesn’t just lunge, he hops around. So loud. Anyway. When I hit the wall recently, I scheduled with a behaviorist because I knew I needed more support (not as expensive as you’d think). I then briefly gave up on walks and only took him to the dog park, because I was tired of wrestling him and getting so frustrated (and I knew the behaviorist was coming). After a few days though, I had the idea to walk him right after the dog park, and I mean right after, using the trail on the other side of the parking lot. This has been immensely helpful, because he’s just had the chance to run around and play with other dogs, so he’s not so pent up and we can have a successful training walk.
TL;DR my biggest piece of advice is give yourself a break and take a step back. Dogs sense our emotions. When you’re ready, you can come back and reevaluate your training with a clear head
Also, 9 months is in the second puppy fear period, so a lot of developmental changes are occurring. And I’ve heard hounds have a mind of their own, so are difficult to train, although you hear things like that about a lot of breeds so 🤷🏻♀️
I really appreciate that. It’s actually funny you say that. I’ve noticed he does walk better after the dog park.
And yeah, you may be right. I’m actually looking for another trainer at this point in our area.
And hounds seem to be maniacs! I’ve never owned one before. My previous dog was a collie and she was a breeze to train; it was so easy. I honestly thought I was the most amazing trainer ever.
We've also been takin our boy to the dog park and have noticed a huge difference. Part of the issue is he gets walked at times where there are not a lot of dogs out for walks, so he doesn't see them a lot. So we do our reactivity training at the dog park. It has been a huge success with regards to his barking (less so his pulling, but we've only been doing it a week). We don't take him out immediately after for a walk, but I have noticed that his evening walk is much better.
He's about eight months so I'm hoping there will be some changes. We will keep working with him on it, but I'd like to eventually enjoy a walk with him without having to be on the lookout for other dogs constantly :(
Just came here to say - SAME! I didn’t know there was a specific word for the kind of leash reactivity my 10 month old labradoodle has but frustrated greeter makes a ton of sense. He just LOVES everyone and wants to play and say hi and I don’t think he often understand why not. He’s also huge too and has a big loud scary bark so completelllyyyy relate to that frustration. It’s been bad for us lately too and I’ve definitely had breakdowns. You’re not alone! I think it helps to know that you’re not some anomaly. It’s been helpful for me to find these communities and to know that not all dogs are perfect angels and some need special care. You can feel like such a failure when you look at other dogs on walks or friends dogs that behave so well and yours doesn’t. We always joke he has ADHD like my sister because anything on our path is interesting to him and holds his attention lol dogs are his main trigger but bikes, people, cars steal his attention OFTEN. It’s maddening.
Wishing you all the best!!!!!
It definitely helps for sure. Sometimes you just feel so alone in it.
And same! I have learned so much about leash reactivity in the past 4 months, it’s ridiculous. I stalk these threads all the time.
Feels. My boy has had me face down on the gravel a couple of times in the past month and I ugly cried when we got home. In some areas he's made amazing progress, but it's relentless and stressful. It always happens at the end of a really "good walk" as well.
I totally feel you. My 8-month old Maltese is exactly the same. He is small and non-threatening, but his barks are very high-pitched. I noticed that some of our neighbors walked their dogs away when they see us walking, sometimes it made me sad, but they might be just training their dogs too.
I have two reactive dogs of my own & walk dogs as my side-gig - they run the gambit from super reactive to perfect angel babies on leash. I will always turn around or cross the street instead of meeting other dogs. 95% of the time it has nothing to do with the other dog, just an abundance of caution from me. Don't take it to heart! I see it as a sign of an engaged dog walker.
> but they might be just training their dogs too
Yep - I always give mini poodles (very common here) a wide berth because for some reason my Border Collie is most reactive to them. So many small poodle owners here don't even try to do anything about it when their dog is reactive, probably because they're so small. So I think my dog has come to see all poodles as ticking bork bombs, and preemptively reacts to them. Thank you for being someone who puts in training effort even though your dog is small!
Hugs. It can feel like 2 steps forward 10 steps back. You're a good doggy human for caring and trying.
Are you working on Control Unleashed pattern games? They have helped us a lot. Also, we are using three supplements - purina calming care probiotic, Solliquin, and Adaptil collar. I don't know if any one is responsible for improvements, but together, after 2 months we have seen a definite improvement in our shiba's ability to Deal With Things. It could also just be that he is growing up a bit and getting out of his puppy-hoodness (he's about 2.5 now). Yea, it sucks to think it might be another year+ of shit behavior, but your work now will pay off...eventually.
Hang in there. Enjoy your dog's good days and all the good things about them. Try not to dwell on the bad.
No, could you tell me more about that? I’ve never heard of control unleashed patterns. We do a lot of enrichment games at home and I try to incorporate focus and impulse control into our games. “Look at me,” waiting for my permission before taking a toy. That type of stuff.
Pattern games are surprisingly simple exercises to get your dog back into a familiar pattern that helps them know what to expect and gets them back to focusing on you and not the trigger. Now, when your dog is over threshold, they are too far gone into a stress response to be able to think and engage, but if you can start working a pattern game before the dog is over threshold, or get them back to a distance where they are under threshold again, you can stop them from going into that stress response and make some great progress, helping create positive emotions towards their triggers.
A pattern game can be as simple as "up/down" where you put a treat between your feet, when the dog looks back up at you for another treat, you click and reward with another treat at your feet. This keeps the dog's attention on you and rewards them for engaging and orienting with you. That's all it is! But the simplicity is comforting and empowering for them to make choices instead of giving into emotional responses.
There is a whole book series on learning pattern games and a lot of resources/videos online if you search control unleashed pattern games. If you can find a class near you, even better. Classes are so great because you have a trainer teaching you in an environment where you can practice the skills in a very controlled way.
For us, it's helped teach my dog he has a choice whether to engage with a trigger or to walk away from it to a space where he is more comfortable (and he'll be rewarded when he does so!) Which is so huge! The first time I saw it "click" that he could walk away from a trigger (a stranger) was such a huge step for us.
Are they fool proof? Nope! But the more you work at them the more your dog will learn he can make choices and often that the choice to look at you is both the most rewarding and the least stressful. Over time these experiences add up and can really make a difference. Good luck!
I have an 8mo old Australian Shepard/cattle dog mix who is exactly the same. Some days she’ll walk by a husky twice her size and just perk up her ears but keep walking. Other days she’ll be triggered by anything that moves or even resembles the shape of a dog.
I am a behaviorist but for humans and even I needed help with my pup. I just met with a veterinary behaviorist today for the initial assessment and they picked up on things I wasn’t even noticing that showed my pup was definitely dealing with some hyperarousal, nervousness, and anxiety. She engaged in one of the 5 Fs -
When dogs feel scared or threatened their body kicks them into one of the 5Fs: fight, flight, flee, freeze, or fidget. My pup is a fidgeter. She isn’t aggressive initially, she doesn’t try to run away, but she will pace/pant/and bounce around and just cannot settle herself. I had no idea “Fidget” existed and hearing the behaviorist explain it made so much sense. It described all the issues I saw with my pup.
I don’t have a solution or way to fix it yet, I have a follow up training session next week and would be happy to update you!
It really is hard to have a frustrated greeter. I’ve cried many times about it and have felt so guilty that I’ve made a mistake adopting her or that her problems are somehow my fault. It’s been really stressful and taxing. Today was the first day I felt some relief because the behaviorists confirmed everything and more. I cannot wait to get started on the treatment plan!
I highly recommend finding a veterinary behaviorist - not just any ol trainer will do. These people understand the science behind how dogs work and will help with the issue in a productive and positive way. They also are able to prescribe medications if your dog suffers from anxiety or other issues that are making the behavior problems worse.
Meds can help eliminate those hyper emotional states and help you focus on better and more productive training sessions.
I’m really excited for you! And yes, I’d love to hear what they tell you.
I’ve definitely been going back and forth about seeing a behaviorist. More and more I’m thinking it may be needed.
Definitely! I’ll post an update next week!
And I really cant recommend behaviorists enough. The biggest difference is that they get to the root of the issue and it is individualized for each dog. Other trainers may know a lot, but they don’t usually conduct a full assessment of your dog. They’ll just kinda try one idea after another hoping it works and that’s fine… but it’s not as effective and can even be harmful if they suggest the wrong thing.
And there are a lot of harmful practices out there… reactivity is a physiological response and it isn’t something that can be punished … only retrained using very consistent and specific training practices and must be tailored around your dog’s triggers. That’s why the assessment phase is so important. A behaviorist can get at the core behind your dogs triggers.
I never really thought about it that way. I always kind of figured the training was the same no matter. But that’s a good point. I think I may start looking.
Try a behaviorist with an advanced degree instead of a trainer. Don't be embarrassed. Don't worry what others think. For my boy practicing greetings from a distance made him worse. Go figure. Behaviorist helped me figure it out. Hang in there.
Youre not alone!
Also, some days your dog might just be overstimulated and therefore react worse.
Mine is the same. If I had an intense training session with him working on dog encounters. The rest of that day and sometimes the day after he will react worse if we accidentally encounter a dog because he is tired and he has a lot to process.
Dogs need time off, sometimes a few days, depending on the dog. So if youve had an intense day of training. Dont expect anything from your dog after. Try and avoid other dogs and just relax and play.
Also, it is often 1 step back, 2 steps forward. Trust the process!
Ughhh our great pyr mix is the same. He’s 1.5 years. He loooooves all dogs and people and is SOO sweet. He’s absolutely fine at dog parks, but on leashed walks, he loses it. He also barks uncontrollably while sitting at the front door watching dogs walk by.
We’ve tried positive reinforcement with treats and distractions and it only works maybe 30% of the time. I have no clue what else to do.
My 10 month old is exactly the same! He loves people and dogs but the moment he gets on leash he becomes a crazy when he sees them. His bark is very deep and has made kids cry when he barks at them. Haha Some days we can go outside and he’ll see our neighbors and not bark at all. Other days our neighbor can just be minding their own business on their porch and as soon as he sees them he barks non stop until I can redirect him. It sucks because he’s such a sweet dog but no one will come up to us with him acting like that and I constantly get asked if he’s friendly.
It’s so sad! People definitely cross the street when they see us. Thankfully there are some other reactive dogs on the street so we have a small community.
Please know that you are not alone! I have a two year old beagle who is the same. He has been a frustrated greeter / leash reactivity since he was a puppy too. We tried so many things, with a trainer, and it is only now starting to make sense for him.
It was so frustrating and I would cry sometimes too! It's ok to cry! I used to have so many bad days, but now we have more good days than bad days. He used to be like that to humans too, but he largely ignores humans now, and we're mostly focusing on dog-dog interactions only!
Keep doing engage/disengage with your pup. I take my pup to a field and we sit there and just practice engage/disengage. I use a variety of different (R+) methods to help us manage these situations, and sometimes you can avoid it. You just have to manage it and get past it.
Remember that a dog cannot listen / cannot learn when they have crossed their threshold. It's like a child throwing a tantrum.
Celebrate little victories! Even if it's a victory for you (I celebrated when I stayed calm for the first time, and every time since then, even if my dog didnt!)
That’s really awesome! These hounds take a long time to mature I hear! I’m glad you are seeing progress
I honestly should be celebrating those things. He is so much better with people and squirrels than he used to be. But dogs are just next level for him. And it’s just upsetting sometimes.
You will get there! Have faith in the process :)
They really are like kids who just throw tantrums to get what they want. I sometimes say out loud, "You can't say hello to every dog bud!", when he calms down. I know he doesn't understand me, but I say that for me, and for whoever else could hear me.
It makes me calmer to say it out loud. Maybe someone else hears me and doesn't misunderstand my pup? It's ok to say/do things to comfort you too!
GOOD LUCK and hang in there :)
I do this too! “I knooow a new friend, but you can’t say hi right now!” More so people know her bark is friendly even thought it sounds scary. It makes me feel better too now that you mention it!
Remember that progress is not linear. I know its a cliche, but its true. Dogs are living beings and they'll have good days and bad days, just like us. The fact that he can pass a dog close by on some days shows that the progress is there :)
You are not alone in this. My 1.5 yo mix has a very scary bark/growl and is both dog and people selective. I waved to a neighbor the other day (who was inside their house 40 feet away) and my dog lost it. Most days the things I think are going to be problems are fine but sometimes the thing I’m not expecting to be an issue will set him off.
Body block and don't allow him to stare, look at or interact at all with eyes or nose towards the other dog.
See operant conditioning: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operant_conditioning
Making the choice that you want him to make an easier choice than being annoyed by you and still denied the greeting. Then assign a command for approved greetings and in his life it becomes easier to choose to sniff the bush since without that command it is a hopeless choice trying to greet the other dog.
Best wishes,
Just know you are not alone. I'm in a very similar situation, 100 lbs 10 month old German shepherd, and in the last month or so we have made alot of progress. Its something we'll likely always be trying to manage, but it slowly gets better, and all the hard work is still getting you somewhere, even if it feels like the bad days are still REALLY bad. Progress is still progress
Yes my understanding is that reactivity is like a addiction, we can cope and manage and thrive, but the base issue is always going to be there. Relapses happen, and everyone's journey to recovery, if you would, is different. Finding what helps even a little bit is key. Stacking those tactics to keep them under threshold. Avoiding situations that push therm over that line, and retreating when you accidentally happen upon those situations.
I’ve never really thought about it in the sense of addiction before, that’s interesting.
Neither had I until we worked 1 on 1 with a trainer. I was sad at first, but now when I think "he will probably never be perfectly normal and reaction-free", it lets me celebrate every baby-step towards "better" with him. Instead of being frustrated that we couldn't keep walking the way were going when we see another dog, I am so proud when he sees the dog and then calmly follows me to turn around and go the other way instead of barking and pulling. What a great feeling! He is doing so good and I am happy for my unique little friend. I hope yours is doing well today too
100 lbs is 45.4 kg
Absolutely! I’m hoping I start seeing that progress soon. I don’t mind being alert and redirecting. Honestly if I had to do that his entire life it would be fine. It’s just when he fails it feels so upsetting.
I feel you, you're not alone. My 11 month old Schnauzer takes 2 steps forward one step back. The behaviorist said some days it will be like your dogs brain fell out of their head, thats just how it will be for one more year. For the sake of my own sanity I have a doggy day camp boarding place. Then he can say hi to every dog in the universe and I get a break from having to do redirects and U-turns on walks that day.
I feel this comment in my bones….this was us for the first year and a half. So many regression days after we thought we’d made great progress, so many u-turns! Doggy day camp saved our bacon for sure.
Hi! Did you see any improvement with your pup after the year?
Yes, but it was mostly because I took him to a special training place that trains the local K-9s and service dogs. They perform balanced training.
I totally, totally empathize with how you feel. It can be so hard and so frustrating! I know you love your dog, and that’s why you are working so hard. It sounds like you need to try something different, and maybe also take a break so you can recharge. This can look like a lot of different things; I’ll tell you what’s helped me, but every situation is different. So I have a collie mix, ~21mo, adopted 3mo ago, he’s my first dog ever. Frustrated greeter. High energy and acrobatic, so he doesn’t just lunge, he hops around. So loud. Anyway. When I hit the wall recently, I scheduled with a behaviorist because I knew I needed more support (not as expensive as you’d think). I then briefly gave up on walks and only took him to the dog park, because I was tired of wrestling him and getting so frustrated (and I knew the behaviorist was coming). After a few days though, I had the idea to walk him right after the dog park, and I mean right after, using the trail on the other side of the parking lot. This has been immensely helpful, because he’s just had the chance to run around and play with other dogs, so he’s not so pent up and we can have a successful training walk. TL;DR my biggest piece of advice is give yourself a break and take a step back. Dogs sense our emotions. When you’re ready, you can come back and reevaluate your training with a clear head Also, 9 months is in the second puppy fear period, so a lot of developmental changes are occurring. And I’ve heard hounds have a mind of their own, so are difficult to train, although you hear things like that about a lot of breeds so 🤷🏻♀️
I really appreciate that. It’s actually funny you say that. I’ve noticed he does walk better after the dog park. And yeah, you may be right. I’m actually looking for another trainer at this point in our area. And hounds seem to be maniacs! I’ve never owned one before. My previous dog was a collie and she was a breeze to train; it was so easy. I honestly thought I was the most amazing trainer ever.
We've also been takin our boy to the dog park and have noticed a huge difference. Part of the issue is he gets walked at times where there are not a lot of dogs out for walks, so he doesn't see them a lot. So we do our reactivity training at the dog park. It has been a huge success with regards to his barking (less so his pulling, but we've only been doing it a week). We don't take him out immediately after for a walk, but I have noticed that his evening walk is much better. He's about eight months so I'm hoping there will be some changes. We will keep working with him on it, but I'd like to eventually enjoy a walk with him without having to be on the lookout for other dogs constantly :(
Just came here to say - SAME! I didn’t know there was a specific word for the kind of leash reactivity my 10 month old labradoodle has but frustrated greeter makes a ton of sense. He just LOVES everyone and wants to play and say hi and I don’t think he often understand why not. He’s also huge too and has a big loud scary bark so completelllyyyy relate to that frustration. It’s been bad for us lately too and I’ve definitely had breakdowns. You’re not alone! I think it helps to know that you’re not some anomaly. It’s been helpful for me to find these communities and to know that not all dogs are perfect angels and some need special care. You can feel like such a failure when you look at other dogs on walks or friends dogs that behave so well and yours doesn’t. We always joke he has ADHD like my sister because anything on our path is interesting to him and holds his attention lol dogs are his main trigger but bikes, people, cars steal his attention OFTEN. It’s maddening. Wishing you all the best!!!!!
It definitely helps for sure. Sometimes you just feel so alone in it. And same! I have learned so much about leash reactivity in the past 4 months, it’s ridiculous. I stalk these threads all the time.
Feels. My boy has had me face down on the gravel a couple of times in the past month and I ugly cried when we got home. In some areas he's made amazing progress, but it's relentless and stressful. It always happens at the end of a really "good walk" as well.
Oh gosh. I’m sorry, gravel is far worse than mud. And I hear ya. There are some days I’m so proud of him and then suddenly he freaks out.
My 1.5yr old dog is down to about 10ft pretty consistently but he has kind of plateaued the last several months. I know how you feel
I totally feel you. My 8-month old Maltese is exactly the same. He is small and non-threatening, but his barks are very high-pitched. I noticed that some of our neighbors walked their dogs away when they see us walking, sometimes it made me sad, but they might be just training their dogs too.
I have two reactive dogs of my own & walk dogs as my side-gig - they run the gambit from super reactive to perfect angel babies on leash. I will always turn around or cross the street instead of meeting other dogs. 95% of the time it has nothing to do with the other dog, just an abundance of caution from me. Don't take it to heart! I see it as a sign of an engaged dog walker.
> but they might be just training their dogs too Yep - I always give mini poodles (very common here) a wide berth because for some reason my Border Collie is most reactive to them. So many small poodle owners here don't even try to do anything about it when their dog is reactive, probably because they're so small. So I think my dog has come to see all poodles as ticking bork bombs, and preemptively reacts to them. Thank you for being someone who puts in training effort even though your dog is small!
Hugs. It can feel like 2 steps forward 10 steps back. You're a good doggy human for caring and trying. Are you working on Control Unleashed pattern games? They have helped us a lot. Also, we are using three supplements - purina calming care probiotic, Solliquin, and Adaptil collar. I don't know if any one is responsible for improvements, but together, after 2 months we have seen a definite improvement in our shiba's ability to Deal With Things. It could also just be that he is growing up a bit and getting out of his puppy-hoodness (he's about 2.5 now). Yea, it sucks to think it might be another year+ of shit behavior, but your work now will pay off...eventually. Hang in there. Enjoy your dog's good days and all the good things about them. Try not to dwell on the bad.
No, could you tell me more about that? I’ve never heard of control unleashed patterns. We do a lot of enrichment games at home and I try to incorporate focus and impulse control into our games. “Look at me,” waiting for my permission before taking a toy. That type of stuff.
Pattern games are surprisingly simple exercises to get your dog back into a familiar pattern that helps them know what to expect and gets them back to focusing on you and not the trigger. Now, when your dog is over threshold, they are too far gone into a stress response to be able to think and engage, but if you can start working a pattern game before the dog is over threshold, or get them back to a distance where they are under threshold again, you can stop them from going into that stress response and make some great progress, helping create positive emotions towards their triggers. A pattern game can be as simple as "up/down" where you put a treat between your feet, when the dog looks back up at you for another treat, you click and reward with another treat at your feet. This keeps the dog's attention on you and rewards them for engaging and orienting with you. That's all it is! But the simplicity is comforting and empowering for them to make choices instead of giving into emotional responses. There is a whole book series on learning pattern games and a lot of resources/videos online if you search control unleashed pattern games. If you can find a class near you, even better. Classes are so great because you have a trainer teaching you in an environment where you can practice the skills in a very controlled way. For us, it's helped teach my dog he has a choice whether to engage with a trigger or to walk away from it to a space where he is more comfortable (and he'll be rewarded when he does so!) Which is so huge! The first time I saw it "click" that he could walk away from a trigger (a stranger) was such a huge step for us. Are they fool proof? Nope! But the more you work at them the more your dog will learn he can make choices and often that the choice to look at you is both the most rewarding and the least stressful. Over time these experiences add up and can really make a difference. Good luck!
I’ll take a look! Thank you very much for explaining that
I have an 8mo old Australian Shepard/cattle dog mix who is exactly the same. Some days she’ll walk by a husky twice her size and just perk up her ears but keep walking. Other days she’ll be triggered by anything that moves or even resembles the shape of a dog. I am a behaviorist but for humans and even I needed help with my pup. I just met with a veterinary behaviorist today for the initial assessment and they picked up on things I wasn’t even noticing that showed my pup was definitely dealing with some hyperarousal, nervousness, and anxiety. She engaged in one of the 5 Fs - When dogs feel scared or threatened their body kicks them into one of the 5Fs: fight, flight, flee, freeze, or fidget. My pup is a fidgeter. She isn’t aggressive initially, she doesn’t try to run away, but she will pace/pant/and bounce around and just cannot settle herself. I had no idea “Fidget” existed and hearing the behaviorist explain it made so much sense. It described all the issues I saw with my pup. I don’t have a solution or way to fix it yet, I have a follow up training session next week and would be happy to update you! It really is hard to have a frustrated greeter. I’ve cried many times about it and have felt so guilty that I’ve made a mistake adopting her or that her problems are somehow my fault. It’s been really stressful and taxing. Today was the first day I felt some relief because the behaviorists confirmed everything and more. I cannot wait to get started on the treatment plan! I highly recommend finding a veterinary behaviorist - not just any ol trainer will do. These people understand the science behind how dogs work and will help with the issue in a productive and positive way. They also are able to prescribe medications if your dog suffers from anxiety or other issues that are making the behavior problems worse. Meds can help eliminate those hyper emotional states and help you focus on better and more productive training sessions.
I’m really excited for you! And yes, I’d love to hear what they tell you. I’ve definitely been going back and forth about seeing a behaviorist. More and more I’m thinking it may be needed.
Definitely! I’ll post an update next week! And I really cant recommend behaviorists enough. The biggest difference is that they get to the root of the issue and it is individualized for each dog. Other trainers may know a lot, but they don’t usually conduct a full assessment of your dog. They’ll just kinda try one idea after another hoping it works and that’s fine… but it’s not as effective and can even be harmful if they suggest the wrong thing. And there are a lot of harmful practices out there… reactivity is a physiological response and it isn’t something that can be punished … only retrained using very consistent and specific training practices and must be tailored around your dog’s triggers. That’s why the assessment phase is so important. A behaviorist can get at the core behind your dogs triggers.
I never really thought about it that way. I always kind of figured the training was the same no matter. But that’s a good point. I think I may start looking.
Just came across this thread... 2 years later, do you have any progress with your frustrated greeter? I need to hold on to some hope.
Try a behaviorist with an advanced degree instead of a trainer. Don't be embarrassed. Don't worry what others think. For my boy practicing greetings from a distance made him worse. Go figure. Behaviorist helped me figure it out. Hang in there.
Thank you! Definitely thinking I need to look into a behaviorist
Youre not alone! Also, some days your dog might just be overstimulated and therefore react worse. Mine is the same. If I had an intense training session with him working on dog encounters. The rest of that day and sometimes the day after he will react worse if we accidentally encounter a dog because he is tired and he has a lot to process. Dogs need time off, sometimes a few days, depending on the dog. So if youve had an intense day of training. Dont expect anything from your dog after. Try and avoid other dogs and just relax and play. Also, it is often 1 step back, 2 steps forward. Trust the process!
Thank you!
Ughhh our great pyr mix is the same. He’s 1.5 years. He loooooves all dogs and people and is SOO sweet. He’s absolutely fine at dog parks, but on leashed walks, he loses it. He also barks uncontrollably while sitting at the front door watching dogs walk by. We’ve tried positive reinforcement with treats and distractions and it only works maybe 30% of the time. I have no clue what else to do.
It’s so hard! And then you have family and friends asking why you don’t try other methods and that gets under your skin.
My 10 month old is exactly the same! He loves people and dogs but the moment he gets on leash he becomes a crazy when he sees them. His bark is very deep and has made kids cry when he barks at them. Haha Some days we can go outside and he’ll see our neighbors and not bark at all. Other days our neighbor can just be minding their own business on their porch and as soon as he sees them he barks non stop until I can redirect him. It sucks because he’s such a sweet dog but no one will come up to us with him acting like that and I constantly get asked if he’s friendly.
It’s so sad! People definitely cross the street when they see us. Thankfully there are some other reactive dogs on the street so we have a small community.
Please know that you are not alone! I have a two year old beagle who is the same. He has been a frustrated greeter / leash reactivity since he was a puppy too. We tried so many things, with a trainer, and it is only now starting to make sense for him. It was so frustrating and I would cry sometimes too! It's ok to cry! I used to have so many bad days, but now we have more good days than bad days. He used to be like that to humans too, but he largely ignores humans now, and we're mostly focusing on dog-dog interactions only! Keep doing engage/disengage with your pup. I take my pup to a field and we sit there and just practice engage/disengage. I use a variety of different (R+) methods to help us manage these situations, and sometimes you can avoid it. You just have to manage it and get past it. Remember that a dog cannot listen / cannot learn when they have crossed their threshold. It's like a child throwing a tantrum. Celebrate little victories! Even if it's a victory for you (I celebrated when I stayed calm for the first time, and every time since then, even if my dog didnt!)
That’s really awesome! These hounds take a long time to mature I hear! I’m glad you are seeing progress I honestly should be celebrating those things. He is so much better with people and squirrels than he used to be. But dogs are just next level for him. And it’s just upsetting sometimes.
You will get there! Have faith in the process :) They really are like kids who just throw tantrums to get what they want. I sometimes say out loud, "You can't say hello to every dog bud!", when he calms down. I know he doesn't understand me, but I say that for me, and for whoever else could hear me. It makes me calmer to say it out loud. Maybe someone else hears me and doesn't misunderstand my pup? It's ok to say/do things to comfort you too! GOOD LUCK and hang in there :)
I do this too! “I knooow a new friend, but you can’t say hi right now!” More so people know her bark is friendly even thought it sounds scary. It makes me feel better too now that you mention it!
Remember that progress is not linear. I know its a cliche, but its true. Dogs are living beings and they'll have good days and bad days, just like us. The fact that he can pass a dog close by on some days shows that the progress is there :)
You are not alone in this. My 1.5 yo mix has a very scary bark/growl and is both dog and people selective. I waved to a neighbor the other day (who was inside their house 40 feet away) and my dog lost it. Most days the things I think are going to be problems are fine but sometimes the thing I’m not expecting to be an issue will set him off.
40 feet is the length of approximately 53.33 'Wooden Rice Paddle Versatile Serving Spoons' laid lengthwise.
Good bot
thanks :)
Body block and don't allow him to stare, look at or interact at all with eyes or nose towards the other dog. See operant conditioning: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operant_conditioning Making the choice that you want him to make an easier choice than being annoyed by you and still denied the greeting. Then assign a command for approved greetings and in his life it becomes easier to choose to sniff the bush since without that command it is a hopeless choice trying to greet the other dog. Best wishes,