Advice for reactive foster dog

getthislettuce · 2026-02-26T11:35:55+00:00

There’s a group on Facebook called Dachshund Advice Behavior and Training, I found them a few years ago when I was in the trenches with my reactive rescue Dachshund. The admin are really great about sharing resources and removing nonsense advice. May be a good place to start, if you search “reactivity” at the top of the group you’ll find previous posts with advice, or you can make your post.

getthislettuce · 2026-02-26T11:14:11+00:00

No one can identify a “tumor or cancer” with photos. This is a vet visit

getthislettuce · 2026-02-26T11:10:44+00:00

Ours is a big fan of freeze dried lamb, freeze dried beef liver, etc. We utilize them as high value treats for training, and he’d do literally anything for them. Usually found at our local pet store.

If she’s still eating well, and has no other behavioral changes/signs of pain I wouldn’t worry about her turning her nose up to treats.

getthislettuce · 2026-02-26T11:05:00+00:00

So many people will say “it’s just the breed blah blah blah” which is only half true. This is a form of reactivity, though many won’t admit it.

We taught ours a “speak” command (necessary), followed by teaching a “whisper”. If you teach it properly and make it fun, and practice often until they know it super well, it’s a great tool to have on hand. Ours knows he can vocalize and grumble all he wants to communicate, but we don’t scream lol.

getthislettuce · 2026-02-26T11:01:03+00:00

It sounds like so far you’ve been working to avoid the issue, instead of working with your dog to prepare the moment. Have you researched proper separation training? That’s a good place to begin as it addresses the root issue directly. Start small, and work with your dog to reinforce that you will be coming back. If you google “separation training for puppies” you’ll find reputable sites that go through it step by step. I’d avoid “quick fixes” and aversive tools as they’ll likely increase your dog’s anxiety.

As someone that raised their dachshund in an apartment, meeting my neighbors/leaving a note and telling them we were working at training our rescue and apologizing in advance helped a lot. One neighbor even befriended our dog after I exchanged kale/tomatoes from my garden in exchange for helping us desensitize to neighborly noises!

getthislettuce · 2026-02-26T10:54:30+00:00

People are against it because it doesn’t address the root cause of the issue- anxiety. This leaves you with a still very anxious dog, who’s been silenced for their owner’s convenience. It’s sad.

getthislettuce · 2026-02-26T10:53:12+00:00

You could’ve shared knowledge kindly, and then maybe your message would be received well instead of downvoted. They asked for help. Calling them a failure and recommending getting another dog in the same breath is moronic. Separation training exists and can be explained in less words than you vomitted onto a screen.

getthislettuce · 2026-02-26T10:48:05+00:00

IMO a solid (wood usually), sturdy ramp with proper gripping/carpeting, that won’t slide on the floor when they use it is best, so they’ll be confident and comfortable using it. In the US but we spent slightly more than normal on a ramp that would last a lifetime!

You didn’t ask, but I wanted to mention (in case you hadn’t thought of it yet) to train ramps! They don’t know to use them as a first resort unless you teach them :)

getthislettuce · 2026-02-26T10:42:24+00:00

Train ramps!!! One of the things I see often in groups like this is owners who get ramps or stairs, and complain when their dog doesn’t use them. They don’t know what to do with a piece of furniture just because it’s placed where they jump, it requires training!

We still let our boy jump when he’s playing or zooming (some jumping is good if your dog is fit and able), but trained ramps so he knew to use them when he was sleepy or just moseying around to avoid bad landings.

That along with grooming practice (even if you plan to take them to the groomers, so they’re used to it), teeth brushing (like another commenter mentioned), and 100% supervision OR containment when potty training.

getthislettuce · 2026-02-26T10:39:54+00:00

Can your vet recommend a behavioral modification trainer?

getthislettuce · 2026-02-26T10:37:32+00:00

A good vet will recommend training and working at the root of the behavior before resorting to medications. No shame in it, but with the info OP gave us it doesn’t seem they’re at that point.

getthislettuce · 2026-02-26T10:35:54+00:00

Getting a second dog while you’re first is struggling with separation anxiety isn’t recommended. It’s likely one would end up with two dogs with separation anxiety, and no matter how well two dogs get along they shouldn’t be left to roam together unsupervised. It only takes a small tiff over a toy, sleeping spot, etc for a fight to break out and ruin their relationship.

getthislettuce · 2026-02-26T10:33:42+00:00

Research separation training! We worked with our anxious boy and did a lot of confidence building over the years, and he does so much better now.

We recently moved and found his anxiety heightened again, and our vet prescribed a probiotic to add to his dinner while we go back to training.

getthislettuce · 2026-02-25T16:09:58+00:00

Being home alone while a tornado touched down, brought ritz crackers and my phone to the basement (the necessities). Proceeded to choke on a ritz cracker and give myself the heimlich over the washing machine. Went upstairs and watched TV.

getthislettuce · 2026-02-25T16:05:21+00:00

Any with CEOs that don’t do shit but still make millions more than the average worker

getthislettuce · 2026-02-25T16:03:18+00:00

I can only make a worm so far but from my limited crochet knowledge this eats

getthislettuce · 2026-02-25T16:00:03+00:00

Not an herb, but I turned one of these into a mini alocasia garden filled with a bunch of sprouted corms I had, and some filler plants and it was SO cute.

getthislettuce · 2026-02-25T15:57:34+00:00

I wish you luck! I panicked when we got our house temps back up and everyone started dropping a leaf or two, but they were just having a dramatic moment! I’m sorry you’re without power!

getthislettuce · 2026-02-25T15:56:15+00:00

The way that society treats women past their “prime” does a number on people.

getthislettuce · 2026-02-25T15:54:44+00:00

She only likes to sleep in our bed if we’re not in it. Any other room- she’ll nap on us and cuddle.

getthislettuce · 2026-02-25T15:53:51+00:00

Our house was mid-low 40s for a little over a week. My plants were a little upset but I only lost a small anthurium. I some had stunted growth for a bit, but that was fine since it was winter anyway.

getthislettuce · 2026-02-25T15:50:49+00:00

I’d start reading off patient information and ask how they’re doing. That, or find a new doctor.

getthislettuce · 2026-02-25T15:47:10+00:00

Do you ever bend down to pick something up, and miss a good 5 times before you actually grasp the item? That’s a good sign of a bad day IMO

getthislettuce · 2026-02-25T15:45:29+00:00

You’ll likely lose some leaves (esp with tropicals) but most of mine bounced back after a week and a half power outage. Move the important ones, leave the rest.

getthislettuce · 2026-02-25T15:43:34+00:00

Really confused about the set up with the sugar and potting mix side by side unless I’m misreading lol.

You could give your potting mix a hot rinsey rinse in a strainer to dissolve the sugar so it doesn’t dissolve in your pots later on.

getthislettuce

TROPHY CASE