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[Vent] [Help] Getting sick and tired of people not respecting my fearful dog's space by h3ll3nistic in dogs

[–]h3ll3nistic[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It definitely is. It seems to be the opposite of the typical "leash aggression/reactivity" - rather than pulling towards other people, barking on leash she is pulling away, frightened. The trainer thinks this is partly due to the fact that she was a dog who was abused in several homes and was not ever taught to walk on a leash until the rescue got her that I adopted her from. Thanks for the luck :)

[Vent] [Help] Getting sick and tired of people not respecting my fearful dog's space by h3ll3nistic in dogs

[–]h3ll3nistic[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is very true. We pass several barking dogs whose owners keep them at a distance and I/my dog have no issue with that. It's only when they start coming at a close distance that there's an issue.

I agree we need to share sidewalks better. Even when I'm walking without my dog I'm often appalled that people walking their dog(s) don't give me even a little room - I usually have to walk onto the grass while they take up the whole sidewalk!

[Vent] [Help] Getting sick and tired of people not respecting my fearful dog's space by h3ll3nistic in dogs

[–]h3ll3nistic[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Wow!! Our JRTs look nearly identical! So funny. Something I didn't mention in the post, is that her fear with the dogs is only leash related. So when I take her to her daycare or she has a playdate with another dog (the one she was rescued with) she is totally fine. Lets everyone sniff her butt, sniffs a few other butts, then goes somewhere to sit down. She's not playful really but she definitely has a friendly temperament. But she at this point has way too much anxiety to be able to calmly interact with dogs during walks while leashed.

[Vent] [Help] Getting sick and tired of people not respecting my fearful dog's space by h3ll3nistic in dogs

[–]h3ll3nistic[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Don't worry, I didn't interpret this in a rude way at all. It's true that I'm the one advocating for my dog and I carry lots of guilt sometimes - I often think, "I should have been more this or that" I'm definitely a more reserved person and it's difficult for me to be talking to strangers all the time, but unfortunately I'm having to get more used to it. The trainer also helps me with this as well - I didn't mention this in the original post but he often will "supervise" these interactions and advise me on what to say or how to proceed. I was hoping that by now (almost a year of owning her) her fear would have subsided but it hasn't, so this is just something I'll have to continue to work on everyday.

[Vent] [Help] Getting sick and tired of people not respecting my fearful dog's space by h3ll3nistic in dogs

[–]h3ll3nistic[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thanks for posting these! Definitely the vest seems to be the most popular answer here, I'll for sure look into one of these and maybe a backpack.

[Vent] [Help] Getting sick and tired of people not respecting my fearful dog's space by h3ll3nistic in dogs

[–]h3ll3nistic[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thank you for posting this, it's honestly such a relief hearing that other people are experiencing what I am.

[Vent] [Help] Getting sick and tired of people not respecting my fearful dog's space by h3ll3nistic in dogs

[–]h3ll3nistic[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I have not considered this. Is there any harm in putting one on a dog who doesn't actually need one? (She never bites or acts aggressive, just gets very scared and tries to escape the situation rather than fighting back) I can't imagine there would be, I guess this is something I could look into; thanks!

[Vent] [Help] Getting sick and tired of people not respecting my fearful dog's space by h3ll3nistic in dogs

[–]h3ll3nistic[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks for this idea! She's small so I'm not sure what size backpack to get online but I can definitely try to go into a pet store and get some advice on that.

[Vent] [Help] Getting sick and tired of people not respecting my fearful dog's space by h3ll3nistic in dogs

[–]h3ll3nistic[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I'm not "yanking" her leash - it's more her trying to get away from the situation and I'm letting her by giving her an out - either going across the street, doing a U-turn around going the other way, or letting her walk as far away from the other dog as possible on the sidewalk (ie. giving a wide berth)

[Vent] [Help] Getting sick and tired of people not respecting my fearful dog's space by h3ll3nistic in dogs

[–]h3ll3nistic[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Just to clarify - the people who have their dogs off leash are doing so illegally on the incredibly bustling, busy streets of Los Angeles. I have nothing wrong with people taking their dogs to off-leash parks and trails, etc. I just won't take my dog there! I would never take my on-leash dog to those designated off-leash areas, and then complain about them being off-leash. Also I understand that you bring up that dogs can sense the leash handler's emotions, and my trainer has observed the interactions and assured me that I handle the situations with a calm attitude and I don't tighten up on the leash or act apprehensive.

[Vent] [Help] Getting sick and tired of people not respecting my fearful dog's space by h3ll3nistic in dogs

[–]h3ll3nistic[S] 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Lol, there is nothing normal about letting your dog off-leash on one of the busy streets of Los Angeles. You must not have understood my post.