Reactivity to other dogs.

[Paulyboy75]

Morning everyone.

I’m Paul and I am new to the forum. I bought a 12 week old puppy last July after losing my last mini in December 21. It was a snap decision. She’s absolutely adorable. She was potty trained almost as soon as I got her. She’s good as gold in the house. But from day one her reaction to other people and dogs hasn’t been great. Well her reaction to anything she can’t work out. Even the Netflix symbol appearing on the tv provoked an outburst. And the vacuum cleaner too but in fairness we have got past that. I bought her off a breeder and he’s not been great. I think he’s failed to socialise her properly and also I think there could be genetics at play here. Anyway we Ah e been going out and about. We met a dog Walker who she now goes out with once a week and that’s improved her confidence. But her barking at other dogs can be stressful for both of us. I am remaining calm. Explaining things to her and we are Making slow improvements. I had a virtual session with a behaviourist. That was useless really. The dog Walker said she’s a very timid dog and we need to build her confidence. I agree. But people have also said that her reaction to other dogs seems like that of one that’s been attacked by another dog. Any advice would be appreciated. I believe in love for the dog and respect and positive reinforcement. I’m not into this whole pack leader alpha male business and training based on fear. I obviously would like a little more control over her but one that’s based on trust. I can see similar people have similar issues and I know the breed and I also know each dog is different. Once she gets a little older I am going to try and get her into agility as she really likes jumping around on rocks and is eager to please.

[zeta1454]

Hi Paul - you are right that, if your mini was not well socialised by her breeder, she is very likely to have negative reactions to many common sights and sounds and also anxiety around other dogs. If she was already 3 months old when you got her she will have been approaching her first ‘fear period’ too so that will not have helped and, as you say, her temperament from her parents may also be an issue.

It will take time and patience and it sounds as though you are on the right path using a dog walker that’s helping your mini with her confidence. I would not necessarily take too much notice of comments from people regarding whether or not she has been attacked by a dog previously as this is purely speculative and a timid dog may react defensively to other dogs without ever having been involved in a physical altercation.

You need to take things slowly, don’t force her into any situation she finds stressful and in the beginning try to keep a good distance from any dogs when you are out walking with her. Let her see them and immediately draw her attention back to you and reward her when she looks at you with a high quality food reward - something really special. You want to get her into a routine of looking to you when she sees another dog and always reward her for not barking / lunging and keep talking to her as the dog passes by. It is very much about communication and trust - letting her know that you understand she is anxious but that you are there for her and the source of better and more exciting things than worrying about strange dogs. Not all dogs are inclined to enjoy the company of other dogs - some can be very much people-oriented which is fine. We have a number of dogs that are indifferent to other canines but welcome interaction with people and one of two dogs that really do not like to meet other dogs outside and we make sure that they can avoid close contact on walks and we take them to an enclosed dog field which we hire for an hour if we want to let them have a really good run around.

It could be really helpful to introduce her to agility when she is fully grown as often taking part in activities can greatly improve a dog’s self confidence and any sport where she can participate on her own will be good if she is not happy with close contact with other dogs. Scent work, dog parkour and man-trailing are also great activities for dogs and we have individual dogs who love these and all benefit from doing them.

You will probably have read through the other topics that have been posted on the Forum regarding reactivity in dogs and there is plenty of good advice and links in those too. Check the suggested topics below this post at the foot of the page for similar posts and information

[Dawnspell]

Everything Leigh has said and I will also add to comments. Jasper is reactive to certain things something that is really helping with him is also in connection with the "watch" command. If I havent got him listening to me before the walk then I know the chances of him listening to me on the walk are next to zero

There are 3 behaviours that we work on.
Watch - where the dog has to give eye contact when asked.
Touch - where he has to nose touch my hand
Paws up - he has to put paws up on something. I started off with a yoga block in the house.

All of these I started in the house and didnt even think of trying outside until he was solid doing them in the house. This is really important as you want to build up mental and muscle memory for the actions. Its also important to have more than one behaviour as if you only have the "watch" they will learn "Oh shes going to ask for watch" and just offer eye contact absentmindedly without having to listen. So the eyes will be on you but the feet will be doing a disco dance I know as I only taught paws up to start with and if I stopped he just started putting his paws up on anything close but the brain was 100 meters down the road not on me Then you can increase the difficulty but using distractions in the house, distance, or moving into the garden. If at anytime she fails, go back to a point where she can do it.

Now before we even leave the house he has to show me he can do all of these, even once the lead is on and I'm dressed for outside. Once out he has to do the same in the garden, I've got blocks all over the drive and garden that he does paws up on. We dont leave the drive until he listens to what I ask. Hes not going to be able to do it with something that worries him if he cant do it in a level of excitement before a walk. I then keep asking for one or the other throughout the walk as it gives me an indication of what listening level he is at. He still struggles and isnt always able do them on a walk if there is something worrying him or got his attention, but he now he doesnt lose his head like a maniac and look like the dog from hell which as you say is very stressful

Shes also an adolescent so her hormones will be all over the place making things more difficult for her.

[Paulyboy75]

Good morning ladies. Thanks for your replies. It’s greatly appreciated. We have had a couple of successful walks now. I keep talking to Motsi and reassuring her she’s doing well. The soothing voice seems to help her. I don’t take her head on into situations which I know will upset her but we skirt around them to keep her comfortable. If she looks at another dog and doesn’t react I treat and praise her then keep her moving still praising her and this seems to be working. I know she may never be a dog who loves the company of other dogs or wants to run around with Glen
She seems happier with the company of the people she knows and running round the garden chasing sparrows. That gets her little tail wagging. As you say she is a hormonal teen and she’s just come through her first season so that’s bound to have an impact on her. She’s out in the garden now chasing the birds and we go for a walk at lunch when it’s quiet. I am really proud of her progress from the timid little puppy I brought home last July. Thanks both for your advice