Owning a Reactive Dog
Introduction
Hi everyone, today I wanted to talk a bit about owning a reactive dog and the struggles that come with it. Levi is a fear reactive dog, he puts up a big front that he’s scary and would attack, but he’s really just scared and trying to chase off the stranger. Even if I know this, the behaviors he exhibits (lunging, growling, barking) are not appropriate and it’s something we work on every day to improve. If you also have a reactive dog, I’m sure you’ve experienced the same feelings and struggles I’ve gone through.
The Dog You Never Had Before
When I first got Levi, it took him four days to start showing his reactivity. I felt way in over my head. I was like “Oh god what did I get myself into? This dog is reactive and he doesn’t listen to me". When I met him at the shelter, he was nervous, but I wasn’t told he was reactive. I wasn’t sure if I was capable of working with a reactive dog but it was heartbreaking to think about returning him to the shelter. My family was concerned because they had never had a dog with issues like this, but I had already begun to bond with him and I wasn’t willing to let him go. Instead, I pressed on and scoured the internet for where to go next. I was relieved to know it wasn’t just me dealing with these issues, however I was also apprehensive. Dog reactivity isn’t something you can fix overnight, it can take years of training and it might not even fix all of the issues. Every dog is different and what matters the most is that you’re determined to put in the time and effort so that your dog can live the best life they can.
It’s Okay to Be Frustrated
There are so many ups and downs with dog training, especially with reactive dogs. Sometimes it feels like all of your training isn’t paying off and that you’re constantly moving backwards. I’ve been so overjoyed with Levi and then wanted to cry because of his reactivity all in one walk. It’s not easy and it’s okay to admit that you’re frustrated. I’ve been so frustrated with Levi after a particularly bad walk that I can’t even look at him for a little while. The important thing is to remember that tomorrow is a new day. Your training progress isn’t lost by one bad instance and things will improve. It may only be small wins and slow improvements but they matter. The time and effort you put into the training will pay off and eventually the good experiences will outweigh the bad ones.
Different Methods Work for Different Dogs
One of the biggest things I’ve learned is to stop comparing my reactive dog to other dogs. Every dog is different and comparing your dog to a non-reactive “perfect” dog isn’t productive. Dogs have different needs and require different tools. Don’t let someone shame you for using a tool if it works. What works for other dogs is not always what works for you. I personally use an e-collar for Levi and have definitely been shamed for it. However, most people that shame you for using different tools have not had the dog you do with those issues. With Levi, simply using treats and positive reinforcement doesn’t work. When Levi sees a trigger, he refuses to take treats and will actually spit them out if I try to give him one, regardless of how high value the treat is. I can give him a command, like sit, and he’ll do it without an issue but continue to be focused on the trigger. No amount of positive reinforcement will get him to focus on me. When I made the move to using an e-collar, I had a lot of misconceptions. Now, it’s one of the only tools I can use to snap Levi out of his reactivity, which allows me to redirect him to a behavior I want and focus on me. Just because someone doesn’t use the same method as you doesn’t necessarily make it wrong, it’s just different. It’s important to do what’s right for you and your dog.
Advocating for You and Your Dog
If you’re like me and own a dog who’s nervous with strangers, advocating for your dog is one of the most important things. You know your dog better than most other people and know what’s best for him. I’ve had people say to me “It’s okay, just let him” but the reality is, it’s not okay. I have clear boundaries because I know what works best for myself and my dog. The same goes for saying no to people who ask to pet your dog. Petting a dog is not a right, and you have the right to say no. To me, advocating for Levi can be as little as saying no to someone who asks to pet him so that he can stay confident in an unfamiliar environment, rather than saying yes and forcing him into a situation he’s not comfortable in. You might be like me and feel bad for saying no, but at the end of the day your dog comes first. I’ve also had an off leash dog run at Levi and I and expected the worst outcome. Instead, Levi put his trust in me and I kept the dog from reaching him while telling the other owner to recall their dog. In that situation Levi could have easily reacted badly but he deferred to me and kept a relatively level head instead. Advocating for your dog builds a strong trust and understanding.
Conclusion
This post stems from the fact that Levi and I recently had a bad walk after a slew of really good ones. I was feeling down and wanted to write something about it. I think the important takeaway is that if you have had these issues like me, you’re not alone in it. Even if you don’t have a reactive dog, I’m sure you could relate to some parts of this post. Although every dog is different, the feelings we experience while training them aren’t.
Idea credits to @walkingdogtraining on Instagram.
