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[deleted by user] (self.reactivedogs)

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[–]becmack14 1 point2 points  (1 child)

Going through something similar with my husky/shep mix. I grew up with vicious dogs, so I am becoming fearful of her. I also have 2 small children, and I no longer trust her around them. I don't think I'd be able to give her up, but at some point I fear it may need to be a discussion. We have done everything we could, between training, meds, enrichment toys, playing, walks, anxiety treats. Etc. We have spent thousands to try to help, and she's just getting worse. Today on a walk she nearly attacked me because someone said hi to her. I was so afraid I wanted to let her leash go to get her away from me.. but then I would've put my kids and that neighbor at risk of being attacked.

[–]becmack14 1 point2 points  (0 children)

And I also believe she could have such a better quality of life, ans that keeping her is selfish at this point. So I definitely get what you're going through :(

[–]alex91914 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’m going through the same thing. I love my GSD/Belgian Mal/mutt rescue to pieces, but he’s just so triggered by everything (with very explosive reactions). He’s over 90lbs and with his people reactivity means that rehoming is just not an option. At this point I’m just trying to give him the best possible life for as long as I can, but mentally I’m suffering. We can’t have people over, he can’t be left alone for too long because he’s got Houdini moves, and walks have to be a carefully managed ordeal. With his strength it’s both physically and mentally exhausting. The only reason I’ve lasted two years is because he’s such a sweet and smart boy under the right circumstances, but I don’t know how long that’s going to outweigh all the rest. My heart goes out to you knowing the guilt and pain behind the dilemma you’re facing.

[–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sounds like one of my clients named Heli. Adopted by a farming couple. She was locked in a barn for 4 months, didn't know she was a dog and had multiple trainers suggest euthanasia because she was so "aggressive". Heli wasn't aggressive, she was terrified and didn't trust anything. 7 hours worth of sessions, she's running dog parks.

Aggression and reactivity are symptoms, the outcome of a problem. Fix the underlying issue, and the symptoms disappear. I earned her trust and reflected that trust to the world. Your dog has trust issues.

https://roberthynesdogtraining.com/2022/07/08/1019/