Thank you for confirming what I tell my students: That we don't like every person we meet, so we shouldn't expect our dogs to like every dog they meet. It seems to come as a relief to some of them to know it's okay that their dog doesn't have to directly interact with every dog they see.
Our dog was mildly dog reactive, but LOVED humans. So we took her to a beach where many people take their dogs, to give her more socialisation, regularly for like a year and a half. She was off leash and so could distance herself from dogs she didn't like. She met hundreds of people and dogs and got a lot better, but it was a slow process, it took months. I like the beach though so it was fun.
Oh good, I'm so glad to hear she's doing better! Yeah, beaches are great. Mountains too. Most dogs that live near the beach or in mountain towns have wonderful temperaments because they spend a lot of time off-leash, meeting and playing with people and other dogs. The dogs just want us to devote our lives to surfing and skiing I guess...
So much of this is common sense! Too bad I have so little common sense LOL! Thank you for this. I hear Kim's comments below on having a *really* reactive dog, and needing to find a safe enclosed space to be off-leash (mine will take off like a rocket and be gone for hours . . . I'm working on recall, but with a hound who is already 6, it may never be perfect . . . ). I think once we start asking those questions, answers start to arise. In our area, there are fenced fields around schools that might be used--particularly at certain times of day and days of the week (like really, really early on a Saturday!). Other options might be fields near community halls. The local shelter or SPCA might know of something. It's exciting to feel empowered about helping a dog with special needs!
Great ideas but the problem is where do you let the dogs be together? dogs are probably going to be territorial at their own houses and backyards. trying to find a place that is fenced is difficult. dog parks aren't the best place for reactive dogs to go to. The challenge here is finding a neutral place that is enclosed because we can't let our dogs off leash.
If you can't find a safe, neutral, enclosed space, you can try doing this training at one of the dog's houses. It's much better to try and make it work at one of their houses than do nothing because you can't find the ideal location. Start gently, perhaps with one of the dogs simply walking past on the sidewalk, within view of the other dog, who is inside their house, being classically conditioned with praise and treats whenever the other dog comes into view.
I know that can be frustrating, but there must be a threshold or a scenario where you dog can keep it together for a brief period. Sometimes it's a greater distance or with more additional barriers than we'd like, but we've got to start wherever we are...
Thank you for confirming what I tell my students: That we don't like every person we meet, so we shouldn't expect our dogs to like every dog they meet. It seems to come as a relief to some of them to know it's okay that their dog doesn't have to directly interact with every dog they see.
Yes! Could you imagine if you were required to play with every person you met! There are not many people who would take well to that...
Our dog was mildly dog reactive, but LOVED humans. So we took her to a beach where many people take their dogs, to give her more socialisation, regularly for like a year and a half. She was off leash and so could distance herself from dogs she didn't like. She met hundreds of people and dogs and got a lot better, but it was a slow process, it took months. I like the beach though so it was fun.
Oh good, I'm so glad to hear she's doing better! Yeah, beaches are great. Mountains too. Most dogs that live near the beach or in mountain towns have wonderful temperaments because they spend a lot of time off-leash, meeting and playing with people and other dogs. The dogs just want us to devote our lives to surfing and skiing I guess...
So much of this is common sense! Too bad I have so little common sense LOL! Thank you for this. I hear Kim's comments below on having a *really* reactive dog, and needing to find a safe enclosed space to be off-leash (mine will take off like a rocket and be gone for hours . . . I'm working on recall, but with a hound who is already 6, it may never be perfect . . . ). I think once we start asking those questions, answers start to arise. In our area, there are fenced fields around schools that might be used--particularly at certain times of day and days of the week (like really, really early on a Saturday!). Other options might be fields near community halls. The local shelter or SPCA might know of something. It's exciting to feel empowered about helping a dog with special needs!
Safe training space is always an issue. I do use light longlines when necessary as an extra precaution. ~ K
Dogs are not allowed on any school grounds in my area.
Great ideas but the problem is where do you let the dogs be together? dogs are probably going to be territorial at their own houses and backyards. trying to find a place that is fenced is difficult. dog parks aren't the best place for reactive dogs to go to. The challenge here is finding a neutral place that is enclosed because we can't let our dogs off leash.
If you can't find a safe, neutral, enclosed space, you can try doing this training at one of the dog's houses. It's much better to try and make it work at one of their houses than do nothing because you can't find the ideal location. Start gently, perhaps with one of the dogs simply walking past on the sidewalk, within view of the other dog, who is inside their house, being classically conditioned with praise and treats whenever the other dog comes into view.
@@JamesDunbar thanks for your timely response. And yes I know it's better to do something than nothing. 😊
My dog is reactive every time she sees another dog. So that 99% is not true in our case.
I know that can be frustrating, but there must be a threshold or a scenario where you dog can keep it together for a brief period. Sometimes it's a greater distance or with more additional barriers than we'd like, but we've got to start wherever we are...