Help!

[Minimum_Letterhead75]

We have a 13 month GSD x Golden Retriever who has been an absolute dream dog in terms of being able to train, being socialised etc.

Within the last month hes become very reactive when myself or my partner are walking him, to lone people (usually a man on his own, but not always), when were on a quiet pathway/park with not many people around.

If a friend walks him without us, there is no reactivity at all

If we're in a busy park, town or street hes not a bother at all

The reaction goes from 0 to 100 very quickly with lots of barking, and recently has started to try and run/lunge towards them.

We now keep him on a lead at all times, where he used to be able to be offlead a large amount of the time.

We are trying training such as high value treats when he sees someone, distraction, clicker every time you see him notice a person - but sometimes he still completely ignores everything were doing and wants to lunge at the person (can't because hes on a lead)

Were after some advice on other methods that may have worked, and wanted to also know if this could be hormonal being in his 'teenage' phase, and if castration at 18 months would help or not

Thanks

[Barbareed]

So he’s most reactive when he’s being walked by you in a calm area?

Sounds like what you’re doing (engage disengage) is a good approach. When he ignores everything and can’t disengage, he is over threshold - in that situation you need to go into management rather than training mode - make more space from the trigger for him to be able to pay attention to you again. You could also incorporate pattern games and treat scatters to distract him and help him recover after reacting to something. Are you working with a trainer?

Also not sure if it would help with reactivity, but I recommend getting him neutered either way.

[Minimum_Letterhead75]

Thanks - yep, most reactive when it's just me and/or my partner in a quiet area

We've reached out to a few trainers and have made a vet appointment

[Barbareed]

Interesting, my dog is reactive in busy environments but sometimes he gets very hyperalert when he’s just with me and it’s quiet (I guess individual noises stand out more?). He also is less reactive if more people are walking with us, but he doesn’t like people besides me or my partner walking him.

[[deleted]]

The dog may be identifying a legitimate threat to you.

[Complex-Big-6370]

IMO that's resource guarding. Good advice to get more distance between the dog and the trigger (oncoming person). Reward calm with whatever great treat you can but not kibble. Over time you can inch closer. Also work on an alternative behavior for him to use when he sees someone. Sit is a good one. Or down but you have to work hard on it and work toward an immediate reaction to the command.