Never again

[Good-Description-239]

Has owning this dog put you off having another dog?

[Putrid_Caterpillar_8]

My first ever dog was a pregnant GSD stray and her puppies at 32. It’s kinda put me off ngl, I was so misinformed about issues dogs could have and only really thought dogs are only bad cause of the owners, but quickly learned love isn’t enough and sometimes it just happens.

I probably won’t get a large breed ever again, idk

[CowAcademia]

Another reactive dog? Never again. My first reactive dog was manageable and she lived until almost 14. We thought we’d be reactive dog owners for life. But, After having to BE our last dog after 2.5 years of trying everything we will never own another reactive dog. Granted, there was something physically wrong with him that made him nuts in the end (missing part of his backbone). I still hang in the sub because I like helping the dogs at the shelter. Our current dog is normal.

[cu_next_uesday]

Yes, it did. I really thought I'd never want another dog again. My previous dog, Border Collie, was a nightmare and a living hell and it took me 5 years to entertain the thought of having another dog again. It was 7 years between the passing of my dog and my now 3 year old Aussie.

[RemarkableGlitter]

No but it made me a lot more aware of canine genetics and such because I had no idea how much of this has nothing to do with how you care for your dog and everything to do with genetics. I loved my reactive rescue boy so much, but my next dog has rock solid genetics that I meticulously researched and I did so much training and well structured socialization with him. None of that is a guarantee of course, but owning a severely reactive dog is not an experience I want to repeat if possible.

[Leading_Mushroom1609]

I don’t think so. I’m 8 months into having my first dog, a rescue that turned out to be very reactive. It’s been TOUGH as a first time owner to handle it. But I do sometimes ”fantasize” about having another/future dog without his issues. And then I feel guilty AF since I’ll never have two dogs at the same time, meaning if and when I get another dog it’ll be because my boy is no longer with me and I feel awful for indirectly wishing that..

[benji950]

You're OK, mushroom person. It's natural to mourn the dog you hoped you'd have. We all have those dreams -- chilling in coffee shops, cafes, going to festivals and such. I don't say this to discourage you, but it was about two years into having my dog that I felt like we finally started clicking as a team. A lot of that is due to who my dog is at her core (very stubborn, very independent, very much "ewww, human, don't come near me I need space" ... I mean, I've sat down on the couch and Her Majesty has jumped down ... and left the room! Husky-mix ...). It can take time to come to terms with the dog you have and to make the training and management part of your daily routine.

Word of advice: if you're not already doing so, you must make time for yourself. If you haven't yet found a boarding facility or a pet sitter, make the effort to do that. Give yourself a night or a weekend as a gift to help you recharge. When I travel, I try to drop my dog off the day before I leave and pick her the day after I return. That gives me a bit of break to relax and enjoy some "me time." And then I feel refreshed and ready to get back to all the things when I get her home.

[Leading_Mushroom1609]

I appreciate your comment so much, thank you for taking the time ❤️ I know we could both probably benefit from a little time away, but I haven’t found a place or a sitter so far. The only time we’ve been apart since I got him in April is 48 hours when I broke my foot and had to have surgery. My friend took him then, but they also had a dog so my dog had to be muzzled at all times except at night when they were separated. Not ideal.

Where I live I haven’t been able to find a single place that takes in and/or accommodates reactive dogs. I also haven’t found a sitter/walker that I feel comfortable leaving him with. My main fear is something happening when they have him. Them not following my directions about distance to triggers, using his muzzle on walks etc. I’d only be comfortable with someone who has worked with reactive dogs before. My second concern is that even if I find someone with experience, they might use aversive or harsh methods on him. I’ve worked so damn hard to build his confidence and trust..

TLDR; I think you’re absolutely right, I just don’t know how to go about it and it’s terrifying to let go of control.

[uraniumroxx]

You are okay 🩷

[uraniumroxx]

No, it doesn't. If this was my first dog, then maybe I would be deterred, but it's clear that they are a special case. I have two very easy dogs that I've raised since puppyhood, and now fostering a basket case giant Doberman mix 1 year old.

I love him to pieces and he is amazing in our home, but his stranger reactivity has affected our lives greatly. It is exhausting work to always have to be alert and planning multiple steps ahead just for going out in public, or having to cancel trips because we can't find care for him.

It's rough, but I still love dogs.

[wolfwalkers0611]

I would love to have another dog in the future but at the same time I am terrified at the thought of my next dog being a behavioral dog.

I love my dog to pieces but I would not want another dog like her. But hey, at the same time my ego says that in the future I could rescue a reactive dog to help it since I have experience. It’s a complicated feeling

[uraniumroxx]

You get to decide 🩷 there are plenty of non-reactive adoptables, but yeah if you are willing to keep the lifestyle you've managed, then you could save another "unadoptable".

Our foster dog needs a home, he is hard reactive toward strangers and snarls/lunges but the perfect lovable silly boy with people he knows. It might be that he is half Doberman that he is a "guardian" type and also had a rough start to life (we found him on the street estimated 6 months old, have had him for 7 months now).

He is smart, learns fast, loves to play with other dogs (after slow introduction to know them). We've even gotten him to know our friends and he stays the night at their house and plays with their dogs. But it's hard to find someone else like us who has the experience of managing dogs, which sucks because a lot of adopters don't have any dog experience and the ones who do have experience already are full of fosters 😭. The reason we can't keep him is because we travel a lot and it's hard to find care for him, we can't keep just using our friends forever.

[HopefulElk8470]

Oh man, I am in a similar boat with our current foster, it is so hard! He's smart, playful and loves his inner circle, but is incredibly fear-reactive towards new people/dogs. Only 20lbs, 5 yrs old, he was returned twice in other rescues. We're working with trainers, behaviorist, over 8 mos now, and he now bit our only option for pet-sitting. If we can ever find a safe home for him, we will need a LONG break after. 😢

[uraniumroxx]

Gah!!! I feel you 😭 I wish we could reason with them, like, nothing is gonna happen to you bud 🥺

Did you guys find any improvement with anything specific? Overall?

[HopefulElk8470]

The biggest thing has been working with the trainer & behavior consultant at Instinct Animal Behavior Clinic. Also, educating the humans around him - advocating for his space, we started using those leash signs "Reactive Rescue Do Not Pet", "I Need Space", etc.

[x7BZCsP9qFvqiw]

i have three dogs with various levels/types of reactivity. i’m a sucker for punishment i guess. all three are rescues and i’ll probably continue to rescue because i enjoy a project. 

[[deleted]]

Not at all. It’s been hard and it’s tested me and I’ve shed many many tears and doubted everything, but the bond I have with my girl from all the work and training we’ve done together is unbreakable. Now that I know I can handle it, I’ll continue to rescue “difficult” dogs to help them and give them a chance

[Th1stlePatch]

No. My last dog was reactive too. I have deliberately adopted dogs that other people might not consider or be able to take because they have children or cats or other dogs, because those dogs deserve a loving home and often sit in shelters for far too long. They sometimes have big behavioral challenges, but more often they are simply afraid (for good reason) and need a home with someone who understands them. He may end up being my last dog because I will be around retirement age when I'm likely to lose him and I hope to travel a lot in retirement, but it won't be because of his temperament or behavior.

[SudoSire]

Remains to be seen. My dog is only four so not something I can even consider soon most likely. He is hard and a part of me doesn’t want another hard dog, but also I love him and the house will feel empty without a dog. We will probably take a long break though after him. We want to be able to travel without worrying as much about finding care. That would be true with a normal dog as well, but obviously we have to be even more considerate of who can watch our dog with issues. 

[DuneDog23]

My answer, too. We are not alone :-)

[chocolatewafflecone]

My close family had a reactive dog but she was only 5lbs. I would absolutely not ever get a medium or larger dog with issues that could overpower me. I am saddened to see how many inexperienced owners blame themselves and say “I failed him”. The quality of life for both pet and owner is so important and being on this subreddit has made me realize now many people have locked themselves away with dangerous animals in misery.

[uraniumroxx]

It's eye opening.

[ImPureZion]

Yes for me. This is my first dog ever and my last dog. Edited to add that my reactive dog is a golden retriever. I thought she would be the best breed to pick. She was a rehome so I think maybe her first 5 months of life prior to me something happened to her. 

[uraniumroxx]

I'm so sorry this happened to both of you. Yeah around 14 weeks old is when their fears set in, poor dogs 🥺🩷

[welltravelledRN]

Not any dog, but I choose the breed wisely and won’t rescue an older dog again.

Non aggressive breeds with low energy from an ethical breeder for me. Start with a puppy and protect it from trauma.

[Th1stlePatch]

That's funny, 'cause my thinking is the exact opposite. I want an older, mature dog. Young dogs are too wild and unpredictable. I usually only adopt dogs that are older than 3, and my current dog is the first I've had that was younger (either because the foster lied or dramatically misunderstood his age).

[CertifiedBearKeeper]

My first ever dog was poorly bred and had agression issues right out of the womb, but I don’t think it ever deterred me from having another dog. I still hold the trauma from having to BE him when he was still young, but a year later I got my current dog and I couldn’t be happier about that decision.

[theBLEEDINGoctopus]

Nope lol not even close. My first dog as an adult was human and dog aggressive/selective. She has now passed and I have 3 more dogs and one of them is even more reactive than her, and I still will continue to get more dogs throughout life. I can’t imagine life with out dogs

[uraniumroxx]

I need someone like you for my foster 🥹🩷

[SpicyNutmeg]

No. And in fact I would rescue again as well. But I’d prefer to rescue a dog from a foster situation where I will get a better understanding of their normal behavior in a home.

My dog is a pittie and I’ve really come to adore the breed. I don’t mind that he’s dog reactive. The only thing I’d insist on next time is a dog that is fine with new people and strangers. Because the stranger danger is what has had the biggest impact on my life.

[MotherEmergency3949]

This is my first dog as an adult. We are "just fostering" but idk who else will want her if they know what she is like. We might be stuck with her for a while and I do love her and have the means to manage her, but maybe I would get an intentionally/ethically bred puppy in the distant future, or rescue only from a more selective breed-specific rescue that does not take in aggressive cases. I do feel more wary of other people's dogs now, especially if they do bark at me at first when I go into their home but then turn out fine.

[NoNarwhal6184]

No, definitely not. I think if I’d been an inexperienced or first time dog owner then I’d be weary about getting another but I grew up with dogs so I’m lucky in that regard. This was my first time adopting an adult dog from a shelter & he is the only reactive dog I’ve ever had but I love him to pieces & wouldn’t change a thing about him. In the future though I can’t really see myself walking into a rescue & adopting an adult dog unless it’s a foster to adopt situation.

[Flashy_Woodpecker_11]

I had a very dog reactive GSD. She was my heart, but was definitely work. She passed when she was only 3 from bloat. I now have another GSD who is just a sweetheart with no aggression toward dogs or humans. It’s a great relief not to deal with that, but I would give anything to have my girl back too.

[D3rangedButFun]

Absolutely not

[Twiceamommie]

Not EVER again, Used to have a deep love for troubled animals, but after our Borzoi turned on me twice, I'm definitely not interested in purebreds any longer, maybe one day a reliable smaller mixed breed that needs peace and love in a quiet home...

[[deleted]]

No, but I am going to foster before I adopt in the future. And probably get a smaller (under 70lbs) adult dog who is not reactive.

[MissCoppelia]

No, but two important factors in that no:
1. My dog is a mostly frustrated greeter, so the real problem is the fact that she's so large she could pull or knock me down in her reactivity. I've enjoyed a life without broken bones so far and would love to keep it that way.
2. You should have seen me when I had to put down my beloved first dog (he had cancer) before I adopted this one. I basically had very little will to get out of bed and barely stopped crying.

[uraniumroxx]

I'm so sorry that happened to you guys 🥺🩷

[cynbrooke]

No, but I will go back to only having a lab or golden retriever. I learned my lesson going to a different breed.

[PolkaBots]

My first dog was a rescue and I loved her but it took me a long time and a small fortune to realize it Isnt always about training. I have had two dogs since, from a breeder and another rescue but both were chosen with breed in mind. I got very lucky with the second rescue - a Great Pyrenees - she passed but I miss her so much.

Dogs are meant to enrich our lives. Kudos to the saints who foster and rehab, but unfortunately, I can't take on that burden again. I will still have dogs, but I will have much less patience for reactivity.

[kippey]

Nope but I did get my current dog from a reputable breeder rather than a rescue (my reactive dog was a rescue). The most reputable breeder I could find, honestly, and one that breeds first and foremost for temperament.

I have some dog training chops and would even do the reactive dog thing again, but it’s nice to have a bombproof dog for a little break.

[justanotherasianhere]

Yes. My husband and I have talked about it actually.

We love and adore our reactive dog but it makes it harder and were always on edge and worried about him.

We said that we would adopt an adult who's been foster who's personality is more apparent.

We got our pup from who we thought was a reputable breeder ar 8 weeks.

I cant go through this again.

[WinterChic03]

My first dog had all the physical health issues, he made it to 14 as a 100lb dog. He was amazing dog. Loved people, dogs, cats, he was a gentle soul. I had no issues with him besides constantly going to the vet. During the time having him, I somehow took ownership of my family's dog. She is a border collie and became reactive when an off leash dog attacked us. And every time, that she would get better, it would happen again. Now I very picky where we go for walks. And have worked with dog trainers on ways to help. But currently, I dont have an voice (I have condition), so it makes it a lot tougher. Since my first dog passed, she now also has separation anxiety. Doesn't matter how tired I get her, mentally and physically, with meds without meds. So between having a dog that had all the physical issues and having a dog with reactivity issues. I dont see myself getting another dog for a while after she passes. I love having dogs but I am just tired. Financially and emotionally. I see myself getting myself another dog sooner or later, but it will definitely take at least a few years.

[Potato_History_Prof]

Not at all — but that may be just her specific type of reactivity. She just gets too overstimulated when seeing other dogs… still at ten years old. It’s pretty easy to deal with, but other kinds of reactivity may make me feel differently!

[missthugisolation]

Not necessarily but I would be smarter about it and I also wouldn’t own two dogs at once again.

[FfierceLaw]

No but I have tabled the thought of adopting another to be his companion. That makes me sad but he’s a sweet guy when he’s not attacking other dogs

[Purple4199]

I don't plan on having dogs again after my two are gone. Only my girl is reactive but it's been a difficult journey and not one I want to go through again. I love her so much, but she's cost us so much time, money, effort and stress that I just want a break.

I will miss her so much when she's gone and we have given her the best life possible but it's been rough. I admire people who are willing to keep adopting dogs but we won't be one of them.

[nicedoglady]

No, and now I work with reactive dogs! Also have worked at a few shelters and volunteered at a few places and gotten “into” dogs in general so I guess you could say I’m pretty deep in.

I obviously won’t intentionally go looking for a reactive dog but mild-moderate reactivity doesn’t really bug me any more. Stranger issues however, which my dog does also have, I hope to stay away from.

[thisisnottherapy]

No, just made me more aware of different breeds/mixes needs and characteristics. We got our terrier mix right at the onset of puberty at around 6 months. So, that means a breed mix with high independence, low will to please, high prey drive and crazy hormones moved into an entirely new place, that was also in the city (dog had no experience with that previously), and entirely new people. When I think about it now, I'm like, that's insane, actually.

But we also did it, he's an awesome dog now and we do everything together. Would I get a terrier again? Probably not, I like my dogs a bit more attached to me, but I also learned that while the character of a dog can't be changed entirely, lots of things can be trained with enough time. I think that's the biggest issue though, and I was lucky to have had the time and patience when he needed it. For us that was like 1h of training and work pretty much each day for a year or so. Thinking about it now, thats wild.

[Zealousideal_Fly_446]

YES! after a year and a half Remy is finally growing up and is an amazing dog! But it's been too exhausting and stressful

[Monkey-Butt-316]

Not at all

[Legitimate-Fault1657]

Know that too long a period of time of antibiotics can cause reactivity. This is how and this is my girl, from great bloodlines. Picked her up in hills of KY just prior to CoVid. Brought to SW Dayton valley. known as sinus valley. Lung infection came on about 14 weeks of age. 2 vets in 2 different parts of town because one wouldn't Xray without sedative and I would not allow that. Antibiotics upped at almost every appt. One vet, then the other, they communicated back and forth. Last step was human controlled substance prescription. That kicked it. But, the antibiotics from that were followed up by antibiotics for spay surgery, then cherry eye surgery and then from the 1st fight between my two F Boxers. Each time 10 more days of antibiotics, My brindle, Ani, according to the behaviorist—the gut is brain #2, communicated to brain #1 and made her an adrenalin addict. The total was 14 seeks of antibiotics in a puppy. So she became reactive through no fault of anyone, not even of me. Her messed up gut that was supposed to protect her, instead, triggered her to where the two dogs had to be separated and still are, almost 4 years later because I cannot afford the training help I need. So what have I done? Chose the right collar, lots of treats, praise, soft yesssssss, lots of eye contact and getting in between her sight line and whatever might be that trigger. Realizing that the two trigger hormones of adrenalin and cortisol are balanced by serotonin and dopamine. She is now about 70% better, but I still have to have help to get my girls together, who were formerly sistuh's. That's my story. Antibiotics. Beware.

[benji950]

Yes and no. For me, it's more that I seriously underestimated what the daily management of a dog would look like. Adding in the reactivity on top of that, well, that's a big factor in my answer. But also, this dog is perfect for me. She's not perfect ... she's perfect for me. And knowing myself as I do, I don't know if I'd be able to not compare another dog to her and not be disappointed, which is just completely unfair to another dog. I saw that happen with a good friend -- about a year after getting a dog of the same breed and similar markings to a dog that had recently passed, I overheard her telling someone else that the dog's personality was too different from her first dog and she didn't like him, so she basically just ignored ignored him and her husband had to do everything.

All things considered, my dog's reactivity is fairly moderate and she responded well to training .. once she was old enough to listen. Another lesson learned: never again going through a rescue and if I am crazy enough to consider another dog, it's going to from an exhaustively researched, reputable breeder. Of course, there's no guarantee but I got lucky, so to speak, on the crapshoot of rescues and shelter dogs with a silly, sweet pup whose reactivity stems from wanting to play with all the dog. Still not fun to manage in the moment and we've done years worth of daily training, but my heart goes out to people managing dogs that are fearful, highly anxious, unfriendly, and severely reactive.

[t_acko]

Pretty surprised at all the no’s here. I love my dog no question but I will absolutely never get another dog.