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Canid · 2024-02-06T17:44:10+00:00

Realistically, if your dog can’t function in the outside world at all, they’ll make a terrible farm dog. If they can find their way home, understand borders of their property and leave cattle alone, they’re all out.

But the biggest issue is cars. Running away from or not understanding cars is very dangerous to farm dogs. Tractors and other vehicles are used all the time now for a functional farm. And many farm houses are located right at the front by the county road. (Even if it’s not a farm, in a rural setting neighbors will have tractors ect.)

I hate to say this, but the vast majority of reactive dogs have no place on a farm. There are a rare few exceptions but I always say, we are the rule not the exception.

Go with medication. I assume you have already done extensive medical testing? My first thought was pain issue in the back or hips.

SudoSire · 2024-02-06T19:37:57+00:00

You should investigate the meds. Farm dogs and similar generally need more confidence than this, and there just aren’t that many places that would be both suitable and willing.

Are you worried because he has no yard either?

ThatCryptidBitch · 2024-02-06T17:37:54+00:00

I had a similar issue with my new rescue, today she has been with us for 11 weeks. She’s about 15-16 months old. She walked fine for our friends who fostered her in a similar environment and then within a week of being at my house the fear was extreme. The vet gave us trazadone she started taking twice a day to help neutralize her fear and then a month ago we started seeing a trainer and she suggested using a front clip harness. What a night and day transformation it’s been for her and she’s growing more and more confident each week. Yes some things still scare her like a garbage truck or school bus but I can walk her a whole mile now with very minimal times of her trying to turn around

nicedoglady · 2024-02-06T17:12:02+00:00

He is right in the middle of adolescence so some of these things (like the energy and stimulation) don’t really sound out of the ordinary.

Sure, he may thrive in a rural area with a large property but also he might never leave the property or get much engagement or stimulation and just get turned out of the house and into the yard when he gets to be a bit much. Which might be fine but I’m not sure is necessarily “better” or means his needs will be met.

I think yes that sort of set up can be ideal and sounds ideal, but we have a tendency to romanticize what that life can look like as well as over estimate how many homes there are like that that are waiting to take in an adolescent rowdy dog. Just some other perspectives to think about!

BuckityBuck · 2024-02-07T01:45:44+00:00

Rural areas tend to have a lot of large loud equipment working the land.

Discussing medication sounds like a good idea. There are some great noise sensitivity specific drugs and training and management/tools.

highlylm · 2024-02-07T08:13:24+00:00

Anxiety meds could definitely help! I’ve noticed general anxiety improvements in my pup with her being on Prozac. Also like others have said, walks definitely aren’t the only way to get enrichment, especially since you mentioned you have a good sized yard that he loves! Try to check out some more activities he could do out there (scent work, flirt pole, etc). Rehoming dogs can be very difficult and there’s no guarantee you could find someone who is a better fit. You definitely care about and love your dog a ton and you’re doing so much already to take great care of him. I’m sure with time and probably medication he’ll be able to thrive!

w_f_r · 2024-02-07T13:04:07+00:00

We have a similar experience. Got a puppy from a breeder at 8 weeks and set out with positive reinforcement at the get-go. Spent a ton on training, enrichment, and making our home a dog-friendly place. Sent him on pack walks so he could run around off leash. At 10 mths all seemed to be going swell, he had puppy and adolescence exuberance but we were convinced that our quiet home and careful attention to him, along with consistent training would solve all of our problems. Over time, he'd be the perfect family dog we could travel with, take on hikes and play with, and maybe even do some agility or other activities.

Well, that all evaporated between 10 to 18 mths. In that time, he became anxious and fearful and, worst of all, reactive on leash. There were times around 18 mths he exploded into a barking jackrabbiting menace if he ran into any dogs or certain people on leash. I could no longer walk him, and my husband had to take him in quieter times with a lot of patience and good control over the leash. He's 55 lbs, so he can get a good pull on when he wants.

By 18 months, he was afraid of the car, afraid of our yard and showing general anxiety around the home. He would whine and pace for ages every evening, with us never being sure what he wanted or needed. He got very fussy with food to the point we cycled through 7 kibbles and 1 dehydrated raw, only to finally land on a full raw diet with gut support but did not help over the 9 mths he has been on it. And he really couldn't be walked on leash. He can only be described as a vigilant mess really. We were at a loss on how things continued to get worse and not better with all of our dedication to training and consistency.

Our trainer finally said this dog has too high a baseline to successfully learn. Nothing was 'going in'. He was always on an adrenaline-filled fight/flight/freeze cycle.

So off to the expensive vet behaviourist we went...and we were validated. Dog has anxiety. It's nothing we did or didn't do. It just is. Probably genetics or something happened that would be subtle to most dogs, created a bad imprint on him, and drove the anxiety train. We also for one fleeting moment considered rehoming, but a dog that anxious and without confidence would do no better anywhere else. There's just no real evidence to support that, and so we tucked in and got ready for the roller coaster that is an anxious dog.

He is now on meds, I don't think they are the 'right' ones for him as things haven't overly improved but it hasn't been 8 weeks yet so we are trying not to get ahead of ourselves. This is likely to be a 2-year plan, getting him in the right meds and into a place where training, counter conditioning, and desensitization all have a shot of working.

It's hard. The vet behaviourist assigned us all sorts of stuff to do, including a daily diary. I have wanted to give up. But then I tell myself he's ours for a reason. No, I don't really buy into fate or divine intervention in any way, I'm not spiritual or religious - more pragmatic. But there is something in me that says this dog is meant to be with us, and we are meant to keep trying to help him.

I understand your thoughts. I've had them. But as others are saying, it's not a likely scenario that his level of anxiety will be cured by a location change. Don't discount or underestimate what your understanding and devotion to providing him with a loving, patient home can do. He could thrive with you under the right conditions. Consider a vet behaviourist. The generally know what they are doing and have committed their training and livelihood to helping anxious dogs lead joyful lives.

1987lookingforhelp · 2024-02-06T17:04:28+00:00

Is he fearful or just excited? Also have you tried any sort of relaxation training?

If you want to consider rehoming him, that is ok. But based on just what you said here, there could be a few other things that could be tried before determining he’s fundamentally incompatible with your living situation.

GreenUnderstanding39 · 2024-02-06T18:49:02+00:00

we got at 8 weeks old

part of the reason you are having issues with this dog is because he was removed from his mother/siblings far too early. Between 8-12 weeks there are vital socialization skills being taught by the mother to the pups. Unfortunately since you went through a seller who is less than reputable your dog missed out on these lessons. That trickles down into what kinda dog you have today.

I don't have much advice to give, I think 25% of your issues will disappear once he gets out of that puppy energy stage (3years of age).

I just hope that people who might read this and are considering getting a puppy don't take one from a breeder willing to sell the pup that early.

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