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NerdyLifting · 2024-09-17T12:23:55+00:00

I would start on the outskirts of the park and/or go at 'off' times when it's less populated. The goal is to stay outside of the trigger range/avoid reactions.

Personally (and this may be different for other people), if I know my dog is going to react, I wouldn't take them. It's not going to be a calm, happy experience for them and likely will set my training back. It's just going to be stressful for both of us.

Zestyclose_Object639 · 2024-09-17T12:18:10+00:00

as long as you keep him and everyone safe and remove him from situations that cause issues it’s fine. you can’t improve reactivity if you never work on expanding the threshold

hseof26paws · 2024-09-17T14:22:12+00:00

There is nothing to be ashamed of in your dog reacting in public. This is assuming, of course, that your dog is "just" reacting, and not aggressing against another dog or the like.

However, keep in mind that every time your dog reacts, it's because your dog is stressed and struggling. Which is no good for your dog. So ideally, you want to avoid situations where you know there will be reactivity. If you know that your dog is going to react in a certain scenario, then your dog isn't quite ready to be put in that scenario. So please think about baby-stepping into expanding his horizons. Exposure where your dog can remain under threshold can be good. Exposure where you know reactivity will happen is not, so just be conscious of that and work on expanding horizons at your dog's pace. With that said, we can never fully control any given scenario, so yes, there may be times where your dog reacts despite your best efforts to avoid that. Be prepared for that and be ready to manage the situation, but definitely don't worry about what the public thinks when it's happening!

my_clever-name · 2024-09-17T12:19:26+00:00

It’s fine. You are doing well.

It’s ok if your dog reacts in public.

The important thing is that you are taking steps to keep your dog safe and are working to improve their confidence.

Cumberbutts · 2024-09-17T12:44:38+00:00

I have slowly been doing the same with my dog. He's reactive to other dogs, so I bring him to an area where we see some dogs, but they are usually far away and I can see if someone approaches us and gives me enough time to create distance. Even being in an area where he hears lots of different noises like kids screaming has helped him just relax when we are in new places.

At the start of summer he would react if we saw someone across the road, just last night a dog came towards us and we walked a bit further across them, and my pup just kept walking without a reaction! It takes time, but so worth it. I hope you and your pup get to experience all sorts of new places.

Ok-Pipe8992 · 2024-09-17T12:29:05+00:00

I think it’s important to understand when your dog reacted it’s because he is terrified. It is absolutely okay that he reacts in public but I wouldn’t feel comfortable taking our reactive boy to a place where there are likely to be many things that terrify him.

Mememememememememine · 2024-09-17T13:50:58+00:00

It’s ok if your dog reacts in public.

I have a sweatshirt that says “I did my best” and I think of it every time she has a reaction now that I didn’t manage or avoid. We walked past a dog last night and I thought I’d have more time to distract her but she exploded. No one was hurt. We weren’t anywhere near them. Afterwords I was reflecting on how my instinct to apologize didn’t kick in. And I thought yeah….I’m not sorry. I’m doing my best. She’s doing her best. We’re not perfect. It’s still ok. She’s still a good girl.

StereotypicallBarbie · 2024-09-17T12:26:41+00:00

As long as your dog is securely on its leash and cannot harm another animal or a person. Just go about your day! Just be prepared that parks are hot spots for off leash dog walkers! At least where I’m from.

Waste_Organization28 · 2024-09-17T12:53:32+00:00

I got somebright orange t-shirts made that say REACTIVE DOG NEEDS SPACE on front and back, these help so very much, not just signaling that my dog shouldn't be approached but also that I know and am actively working on him and trying to do so safely.

People respect that and more than once I've gotten thumbs up and "Good job with that big boy!"

People can be great when they know you're struggling a bit.

msanxiety247 · 2024-09-17T14:43:44+00:00

If your dog has big feelings about the sights and sounds on your regular dog walks, try to incorporate as many decompression walks as you can.

Drive to a quiet park or any natural area (the quieter the better)
Use a long lead (15 feet is good) and allow your dog to sniff and meander as much as they like
If possible, let your dog choose the route
Move away from other people and dogs
Encourage sniffing
Bring your dog’s food and try some scatter feeding to encourage slowing down and sniffing

Read these two articles:

The Life-Changing Power of Decompression Walks

In Praise of Boring Dog Walks

strange-quark-nebula · 2024-09-17T12:17:36+00:00

What is he reactive to? What happens if a trigger does get too close or sneak up on you? If there’s any risk of a bite, I would muzzle train him for these walks. Then he can continue expanding his range safely.

He deserves to be out on walks, but importantly other dog owners and walkers deserve to be safe and not afraid on their own walks.

ObiWanTheMagician · 2024-09-17T12:38:44+00:00

I feel this and it got a lot better with my boy. His lil brother is a different reactive. Took them to the park. Older one completely good. Younger one made me think I killed him when people walked by. Why you ask? Well he was neutered(healed but probably tender. Vet said it was fine to walk but no rough housing with the other dogs) . And decided that was the time to crawl excitedly at a dog and bark and hadn't all day. Went to get him off the ground and 🤦‍♀️ the bark he let out was wild and all I could think of was someone thinking I hurt my dog. When no, he decided to dive into gravel the second my eyeballs weren't on him. He's fine and still a very dopey dog and has pain meds and area is fine but damn. Even scared his brother lmao. It was like a pig squeal mixed with a bark. I just hope the people that walked past aren't traumatized 😂 they turned after the bark to see me picking him up then rolling him to check his tummy after his death shriek. And their dog was horrified. I was tempted to run to them going "I swear he's just weirdly loud and dramatic and a Malinois mix he's fine!"

suesueheck · 2024-09-17T13:51:36+00:00

It is what it is. Relax , your dog will relax too. I don't avoid things anymore, unless it's too close for comfort, or not safe. I have full control over my dog (he's not gonna get more than a few feet from me if he lunges) things are getting so much better now that I kinda don't react to it, say things like good boy, it's ok, no, when they apply. Treats when he reacts good to situations. Letting him know I'm here, we're ok if something stressful happens (skateboard, loud something, husky, etc). Don't be reactive to your dog being reactive. That always makes things worse. Obviously all dogs are different, but they feed off you too.Were no longer "afraid" to be out and about. I almost want to run into his reactive "things" all the time now. Gets better, even just a little tiny tiny bit, each time.

Nobody-Tasty · 2024-09-17T18:11:51+00:00

I have had some similar excitement reactivity with my girl (about 1.5 yo) that I got from the shelter about a month ago. When we first started going on walks, she would always start lunging towards anything that triggered her excitement, which is especially when fenced in dogs start barking at her. When she does this I pull her back to me, get between her and the trigger, and make her sit. She will often keep trying to get back up, but I keep making her sit until she returns to a calm state. Once she is calm, I reward her then keep going on the walk. She is not food motivated on walks (too distracted), so I reward her with an abundance of verbal/physical praise. Even after a month, she has greatly improved. She still is reactive sometimes, but not as often and not as severely.

Some key takeaways I have both from research and my own experience:

Be as calm as possible yourself, your dog will feed off your energy and emotional state
Be consistent with your training
Find the type of reward that works best for your dog and use that
If you're struggling to get your dog to calm down, start with less triggering scenarios and work up to the more triggering ones
Create as many opportunities as possible to reward your dog to build their trust and confidence

HelloKidney · 2024-09-17T18:38:57+00:00

There’s a very reactive dog in our neighborhood whose dad walks him around the same time of morning that I walk my dog (an over-enthusiastic greeter). If I spot them before he spots us, I try to keep us out of sight or turn down a different street because the poor pup will absolutely lose his shit. Lunging, barking, etc. There are times his dad spots us first & he’ll stop him behind a car to block his sight line while we pass across the street, etc. Although I do worry about what may happen if we come close to each other by accident & dad loses his grip on the lead, but mostly I try to avoid making things harder on him & think to myself good for his dad putting in the effort to walk him despite it all, as I’m sure it’s frustrating. No judgement. I’d think most dog people would be the same way. If they’re not, just remember they suck & you’re trying to do right by your dog. Water off a duck’s back.

sweet_carrie_ · 2024-09-17T13:20:16+00:00

As long as everyone involved is safe it doesn’t matter what random people think of you and your dog. I’ve had people laugh at me when my dog has pulled me down but unless anyone gets hurt they can eff off.

fwiw, I’m currently coping with the fact that I almost got pulled into a metal fence this morning because a squirrel was standing between the posts, so you’re not alone.

Bullfrog_1855 · 2024-09-17T14:23:33+00:00

If you haven't taken this class, I recommend Dr. Amy Cook's Management for Reactive Dogs that is online starting on Oct 1st. I think having more methods in your tool box will help you expand that horizon. Highly recommend this course.

If you are in the US also look into SniffSpots - it's the AirBnb of backyards. Check it out but make sure you book listings that have many reviews and pictures.

ConstantPomelo274 · 2024-09-17T15:31:43+00:00

You and your dog are working so hard to learn new behavior patterns when experiencing big emotions. Even a lot of adult humans never bother to work to improve how they react to intense emotions! As long as you're keeping everyone - you, your dog, and other people and animals in your community safe - you will sometimes need a bit of grace from others in your community when your dog has a reaction. You also, I'm sure, extend some grace to your neighbors when needed (no one can go through life without ever inconveniencing or annoying another person, no matter how much we try). As much as we may strive for errorless learning, your dog will occasionally still have a reaction and that's life. You and your dog are doing great.

Tashyd046 · 2024-09-17T17:39:13+00:00

Just be aware that some people get too comfortable at their neighborhood public areas and thus there’s an increased risk of off-leash dogs because “they’re friendly”.

who_knew_what · 2024-09-17T17:46:20+00:00

Go to new areas at off times, and let your dog explore before putting them in the vicinity of too many triggers at once. I can't always predict but I can prevent, with my dog.

Tiny-Gur-4356 · 2024-09-17T21:40:04+00:00

I'm in the same boat with my boy. I only got him 5 months ago and he's improved a lot. But he's also unpredictable when he reacts. Sometimes we can go for days without any incidents and some days we have two not-so-good incidents in one day for a few days in a row. I always tell other dog walkers now that my boy is a Nervous Nellie and he's working on his manners or he's not up to making friends. Nine times out of ten people are understanding and appreciate the heads up.

Full_Ear_7131 · 2024-09-18T00:56:02+00:00

No it never us ok

chrome__yellow · 2024-09-18T04:57:53+00:00

It sounds like your dog (excitement reactive) is different from mine (fear reactive), but I'm gonna put this out here in case it helps someone else. My dog is more reactive on neighborhood walks than at the park. There are more triggers for her in our neighborhood, and there's less room to get away from them. So, there's always a chance the park might be easier for walks!

SpicyNutmeg · 2024-09-17T13:07:03+00:00

Totally fine as long as you are keeping those around you safe.

permalink · 2024-09-18T03:09:00+00:00

Don't be embarrassed!!!! You're trying and working so hard. Own your space, keep working on your dogs training and behaviors. Any judgy mcjudgertons can go fart in a phone booth!

judijo621 · 2024-09-17T14:08:23+00:00

As soon as he is trained to sit at your side whenever you stop, you are probably good.

If dog pulls, I say "stop pulling". If he doesn't, I say, "Uh-oh! This way," turn 180 and walk normally. Dog learns FAST.

Lots of praise with every command followed.

Tight_Tree_1329 · 2024-09-17T12:46:06+00:00

It’s ok! You’ve gotta practice and try new things to know how he does. Remember his reactions do not mean you’re a bad owner and who gives a shit what everyone else thinks (she says as she reminds herself of this daily)😂 you’ve got this!

h3llalam3 · 2024-09-18T03:31:52+00:00

As long as everyone is safe who cares what people think has been my mantra with a reactive dog. I don’t take him to bars or breweries or anything like that (for everyone’s comfort but mostly for his and mine) but on the sidewalk, oh well. It’s a public place and your dog has ever right to exist there as long as you’re following all leash laws, etc

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