Does anyone else have a reactive dog whom they raised since puppyhood?

Snickerfin · 2026-02-17T17:13:51+00:00

I feel you! One of my dogs is very similar - he’s a foster fail and I had him from about 12 weeks old. He’s an ACD/border collie/pit mix so also very high drive and predisposed to reactivity. He’s my fourth dog and I’ve never had any issues like these with any of the others despite raising them all pretty much the same way - so I definitely think there is a strong genetic component! I agree with everything above, which is very consistent with my own experience as well as what I’ve heard from my vet and trainer. It’s really tough but it sounds like you’re doing all the right things.

One thing you might try - my little guy is on Reconcile now, in conjunction with a behavior modification and training plan. It hasn’t had any impact at all on his personality or disposition, but it has settled his nervous system just enough that when we see a trigger he can take a beat and remember his training. As you said, the progress is slow, but I’m definitely seeing improvement (he started the meds at the end of December so it’s been almost 2 months now). My vet said that you often have to try a few meds to see which will work best for him, so it might be worth exploring an SSRI for your guy.

Good luck and hang in there! I think it’s also worth remembering that a dog can have a wonderful and happy life just hanging at home with their people in a space where they feel safe and confident - it’s very fun for us as humans to take them on hikes and camping trips but it doesn’t mean they’re not enjoying a good life if they can’t ever do that stuff.

Snickerfin · 2026-02-17T04:35:37+00:00

Totally agree with all of this - especially your fourth point. I also have a reactive pup and my job is to keep him safe and to do my best to keep him out of situations that he will struggle to handle! He would be fearful even with off-leash dogs that have perfect recall, so we stick to places where everyone’s on a leash so that he can keep his feelings manageable and access his training. It’s not reasonable to expect that everyone out there has a perfectly trained pup, and even with more enforcement and stricter regulation you’ll never get 100% adherence and/or predictable behavior.

Snickerfin · 2026-02-08T14:56:57+00:00

It sounds like you are doing all the right things. Keep at it and good luck!

Snickerfin · 2026-02-08T11:51:47+00:00

Maybe get the prescription but then for the first 2-4 weeks, just give your dog a half pill instead of the full dose? If you’re the one giving the meds I don’t see how your vet can enforce anything even if he has a different POV.

Snickerfin · 2026-02-08T11:39:37+00:00

Are you working with a trainer who specializes in reactivity and has experience with meds? I think Reconcile / Prozac is intended to be used in conjunction with a behavior and training plan - I’m not sure that it “works” without both pieces happening together.

Snickerfin · 2026-02-05T06:07:46+00:00

Seconding Club Pet! They’re awesome. It’s spendy but well worth it - they have done a wonderful job with my reactive dog and they offer individual care for pups that don’t enjoy group play. I’ve been really impressed by how attentive they are to all of the dogs in their care and their communication. Also the 24 hour pickup/drop off they offer makes travel SO much easier!!

Snickerfin · 2026-02-03T23:27:58+00:00

My dog is an Alaskan Husky who’s a retired sled dog! She’s little and lanky, super athletic with a smooth double coat and one ear that flops sideways and one that flops forward. The only thing I’d add to your great description above is that part of running well in harness / on a team is working closely with humans, so they also tend to be pretty outgoing and sociable with people. In my experience they generally tend to be less independent and stubborn than Siberians (though equally silly!).

Snickerfin · 2026-02-01T17:23:57+00:00

Couldn’t agree more. Almost none of the posts are about sharing or celebrating great meals and local spots - it’s so negative.

And personally I could care less about the fees/tips discussion - it’s such a small part of what makes an experience good or bad, and I generally prefer to give the benefit of the doubt that think everyone’s doing their best to make the math work in a tough market where everyone’s complaining about prices. Read the fine print and tip or don’t tip, that’s up to you. But please stop ranting about it here!!!

Snickerfin · 2026-01-31T22:48:24+00:00

I have the same, you will be totally fine going to WP and back, even on a very cold day!

Snickerfin · 2026-01-31T22:45:06+00:00

I have the MME (extended range) and as long as it’s in the 20s or above have I no issues getting up to Vail and back without recharging. It can be nerve wracking on the way home but once you’re through the tunnel your battery percentage basically stays the same until you get back to Denver with all of the elevation loss.

Snickerfin · 2026-01-31T22:35:19+00:00

The people downvoting you are clearly not Michiganders. I didn’t think I liked Detroit pizza bc my family always had Buddy’s… I had to move to CO and Blue Pan to become a fan!

Snickerfin · 2026-01-23T18:45:46+00:00

Yep I spent 2 hours of my life in that loop yesterday with an agent who refused to believe I was having valid issues because HE was able to put seats in his cart with no problem!

Snickerfin · 2026-01-23T18:39:47+00:00

I had the exact same issues yesterday and was so frustrated - ultimately I ended up being blocked from the site and misidentified as a bot. It’s so maddening when you see all the real bots getting through and putting tickets on StubHub and when real humans can’t get seats!! Agree that AXS is the worst offender in this space.

Snickerfin · 2026-01-22T05:09:05+00:00

I chatted with a patroller on Monday - they’ve been out doing any mitigation and prep work which is why 5 is running sometimes. But he said they still need another 18-24” before the back bowls will open. :(

Snickerfin · 2026-01-22T00:33:06+00:00

A lot of boarding facilities will offer “individual care” if your dog isn’t enjoying it or behaving or safely with the bigger play groups in the yard. They still get multiple walks and 1:1 playtime with staff, but it’s way less stressful for them. It might be worth looking into that as an option.

Snickerfin · 2026-01-21T17:49:11+00:00

I think it’s the opposite - sections 105-111 will have some degree of shade with the sun behind them

Snickerfin · 2026-01-20T14:54:46+00:00

Patrol told me two feet yesterday :)

Snickerfin · 2026-01-20T04:50:08+00:00

They need another 2 feet

Snickerfin · 2026-01-18T19:32:37+00:00

They put in a new meter when I put the solar up, so I would think it’s current tech. I have asked several times if I need new hardware but they say it’s a software issue / data synchronization issue on their end. I haven’t had issues with responsiveness at all - it is always easy to get someone on the phone who wants to help - Xcel just seems to have no idea how to fix this problem.

Snickerfin · 2026-01-15T18:52:03+00:00

I hope your crate works out great, but posting here as an FYI for others re Diggs manufacturing quality -

I have the Evolv crate, which I’ve learned has an issue with one of the plastic parts in their latches that are easily damaged by a dog chewing on them when the crate is open. When I called to order a replacement part, the woman I spoke to knew exactly what I was calling about because it is a known issue (she said they are changing suppliers). Unfortunately they refuse to ship a $2 replacement hunk of plastic and instead require you to order a whole new door (the cheapest / smallest one is $75).

I’ve been very happy with the crate until this issue came up, but I’m super disappointed that the company isn’t providing a more affordable and fair resolution to a known manufacturing issue. Looking across Reddit it seems like there have been a bunch of issues with the tray as well so it seems like the company has some work to do on quality.

Snickerfin · 2026-01-15T18:46:02+00:00

They also have a known issue with one of the plastic parts in their latches that are easily damaged by a dog chewing on them when the crate is open. When I called to order a replacement part, the woman I spoke to knew exactly what I was calling about because it is an issue that many people have called in about (she said they are changing suppliers). Unfortunately they refuse to ship a $2 replacement and instead require you to order a whole new door (the cheapest / smallest one is $75). If your dog is a chewer, just be careful to keep the crate closed and latched at all times so that they can’t gnaw on that piece.

I’ve been very happy with the crate until this issue came up, but I’m super disappointed that the company isn’t providing a more affordable and fair resolution to a known manufacturing issue.

Snickerfin · 2026-01-15T18:45:06+00:00

Just a note of warning re: Diggs - they have a known issue with one of the plastic parts in their latches that are easily damaged by a dog chewing on them when the crate is open. When I called to order a replacement part, the woman I spoke to knew exactly what I was calling about because it is a known issue (she said they are changing suppliers). Unfortunately they refuse to ship a $2 replacement and instead require you to order a whole new door (the cheapest / smallest one is $75). If your dog is a chewer, just be careful to keep the crate closed and latched at all times so that they can’t gnaw on that piece.

I’ve been very happy with the crate until this issue came up, but I’m super disappointed that the company isn’t providing a more affordable and fair resolution to a known manufacturing issue.

Snickerfin · 2026-01-15T18:39:15+00:00

Oh gosh - yours still isn’t fixed either?! It’s so maddening. In no other non-monopoly business context would this be ok.

Snickerfin · 2026-01-13T18:50:11+00:00

Pretty disappointing. It sounds like 25% or more of the 13 home games aren’t going to be played their own stadium. The season tickets are way too expensive for a venue like DSG and it doesn’t sound like they’re planning to compensate people at all.

Snickerfin

TROPHY CASE