First time adopting from a rescue, and she’s really reactive

[doubtingdisciple]

We got a plot hound mix two years ago. I was begging my mom to adopt from a shelter because she always adopted from breeders before. But what we didn’t know, is how difficult of a life she had before, how it continues to effect her, and how it would effect our family.

I love this dog to death but I don’t think she is meant to be with other dogs. We have a 8 year old lab who is crazy in her own way, and maple (plot hound) will attack my lab randomly. We try to figure out what makes her tweak and prevent it (so they eat separate, she doesn’t get bones, etc) but she still will randomly get agitated and attack my other dog who is now becoming so skittish and scared.

On top of that she has extreme trauma. We think she was abused, you can’t hold things over her head or she will cower and hide. She wakes up in the middle of the night every night yelping from nightmares.

The issue besides her being unpredictable, she bit my sister and she had to go to the hospital. We keep her away from anyone outside of our family now, but the trainer my mom sees idk if it’s helping much. My mom will also yell at her which I am p sure doesn’t help but my mom is not really open to any feedback I give her (which is a separate issue). I don’t live at home anymore so I don’t get to see my dogs nearly as much, but I feel like it’s my fault. I hope that my family doesn’t hold it against me and not want to rescue in the future but idk. I also have no idea how to help my dog. She’s 2 and I’m worried it’s just going to get worst w age. I want to adopt her from my parents but I live in a one bedroom apartment, she needs a yard and a home and I can’t provide that atm.

Rant over. I just feel very alone and hopeless atm. Hopefully this will pass soon.

 

[joshcorn]

@doubtingdisciple A numbered list because I'm too tired for full sentences:
1) mom is definitely NOT helping by yelling at dog, makes worse
2) there are a bunch of different kinds of trainers (not all great), and there a a bunch of different kinds of students (also not great). What I'm saying is your mom may be a bad student
3)resource guarding people is a thing. Also redirecting anger is a thing
4) if dog doesn't get enough mental stimulation, makes everything worse

 

[doubtingdisciple]

@joshcorn Yea mom is def a bad student I can admit that. She’s not really listening to me when I try to explain things to her about training (simple resources that can be found online) but that’s really a separate issue in itself.

 

[ezrael]

@doubtingdisciple Reactive dogs are a lot of work and none of us (I'm guessing) ended up here intentionally. My dog sat on my feet at the shelter and was super sweet - then a month later she started growling at everything.

Needs a lot of care - I hesitate to say training, because it sounds like your dog needs encouragement to experience the world as safe. Vets, trainers, this sub can all help.

Check the FAQ/wiki info for the sub.

 

[doubtingdisciple]

@ezrael Thanks, I found a behaviorist nearby and I’m begging my mom to take her or let me take her. I think she just needs specialized training at this point

 

[christianguy00910]

@doubtingdisciple All of my dogs have been rescues, and all have turned out to have had some pretty serious trauma. Each dog reacts differently to their trauma, but most trauma can be mitigated by removing (as much as is reasonable) things that trigger that trauma.

As already noted, yelling at Maple isn't a good tactic. She maybe not able to live with other dogs, which is not necessarily a bad thing. I may have missed it in my sleeplessness, but you don't mention ways she is reactive, other than resource guarding (?) around other dogs.

Your Maple may not be REACTIVE as much as she is REACTING. That doesn't make things less problematic, but it does mean that there is a strong possibility for this to improve.

It sounds like Maple is in an unhappy situation already. I.dont think that a yard and a home makes up for that for Maple or the other lab.

I also don't think that a 1 bedroom apartment is an automatic disqualifier for you to take the dog. Are you active yourself? Do you really love this dog and want her for your own? Can you afford the dog on your own?

If the answers are yes, then you can seriously consider taking the dog. It is better for Maple to be happy, loved, and feel safe in squished conditions than for her to be unhappy/unsafe in a nice house with a yard.

 

[bragar]

@christianguy00910 A reactive dog in an apartment can be a nightmare for everyone including the dog, the owner, and the neighbors who no longer feel safe walking outside their doors. This dog not only bit someone, she sent someone to the hospital. In an apartment she would be a significant liability even with experienced heavy management.

 

[christianguy00910]

@bragar That could be true. It could also not be true. I've lived with a reactive dog in an apartment complex, and was able to ensure it was not a negative experience for all parties (unless someone knocked on our door .. Then everybody heard ).

We can only work with the information presented, and as I said in my post there aren't enough details as to what what classifies Maple as reactive.

We also don't have details around the situation that resulted in the sister being bit.

All of this led me to wonder if the dog is reacting, instead of them being actually reactive.

Either way, it doesn't sound like the dog is being set up for success in her mom's house. My point what simply that exploring a change of venue should not be taken off the table just because of the apartment situation.

 

[doubtingdisciple]

@christianguy00910 She barks like crazy if someone is in the home or people walk by outside. Then if we hold things over her head (like last week I was moving a box and walked over her she freaked out). We have baby gates cause she jumps on everything and everyone. She even walks on our tables sometimes (which is kinda of funny lowkey cause it’s very random but still is behavior we are working to correct). My mom said she has started nipping at people and things too lately and she will whine randomly all the time if we don’t pay attention to her.

Regarding the apartment, I just worry cause she is a medium dog and an active bread she needs more space. There’s also dogs on my property and I have two cats (which she has never interacted with before) and I work full time, usually not home til 6pm or later. I wanna help her so bad but I would have to make serious life adjustments that idk if I can make rn (I.e my job)

 

[christianguy00910]

@doubtingdisciple Some of the behaviors you are describing sounds like smart high energy dogs being themselves when they don't have good boundaries...I mean,Plott hounds were bred to hunt bears, so they are smart . Other behaviors are definitely more problematic.

Thank you for the extra details the untested cat component, plus you being out of the house most of the day probably mean that would not work as well.

The nipping and whining might mean to that she "just" needs more activity. Does she get out for walks often? To dog parks (larger ones, not small Lord of the Flies type parks)? Any scent work/ agility? Hunting dogs usually thrive in those last two areas.

I had a pointer mix when I lived in Waukegan, and Waukegan parks and rec had dog classes for things like rally, agility, nose work, etc. Maple might really really enjoy those activities, and they would redirect her energies in a positive direction?

Just a thought! Either way, I think it is great that you care about her and are trying to help her have a good life!

 

[doubtingdisciple]

@christianguy00910 STOP we live in the same area who would’ve thought. She usually gets out once a day at least and Ik her breed needs hella activity so that’s def a good idea for us to continue

 

[christianguy00910]

@doubtingdisciple Libertyville has a really nice dog park: Independence Grove dog park. Had a nice lake, walking paths, ALL THE THINGS to smell!

I will say also, well it is a little bit of a drive, Montrose dog beach in summer is awesome! There are times I think I enjoyed it more than my dog did

I moved to SW Wisconsin a few years ago for work, but lived in Chicagoland most of my life...west suburbs, north suburbs, southwest suburbs.

 

[doubtingdisciple]

@christianguy00910 Nice! Yea we use to go to the libertyville dog park a lot but now we just walk around this long path in our neighborhood. It has a little landing to the lake and we will let the dogs swim when no one is around (just don’t know how maple will react so we avoid people)