My rottie is my first dog, and I admit that getting a large and often protective breed was not the smartest decision. I admit I didn’t understand the challenges clearly, and I’m glad I continued to do my research after getting her. I’m her owner so I’m responsible for her and I refuse to give up on her, I just don’t know what to try next.
TLDR; What’s next? We’ve tried a small one-person-sized trial of the flooding method while in our car. We’ve tried positive reinforcement with treats, praise, and affection. We’ve tried redirecting. We’ve tried allowing her to make whatever decision made her comfortable. We’ve tried reinforcing and rewarding obedience while around triggers. We’ve tried allowing people she doesn’t know, but are professionals, to handle her to build her trust in others. None of these have been successful with her.
She’s a year old now, and I love her so much. She’s a fantastic dog and loves our friends and adored the in-law’s dog. She knows so many commands, is intuitive, and endlessly entertains us with her funny personality. She loves to play, loves treats, loves scritches, and looks forward to training and playtime.
But outside? Oh. No that’s different.
Outside she is pushy, sometimes fearful, often disobedient, leash aggressive, reactive, loud, and makes other people and dogs very uncomfortable. When she’s outside in public, it’s a literal nightmare. She will bark and growl and lunge at any dog ( or dog-like thing like wagons and suitcases) regardless of distance. Sometimes people are ok as long as they are far away, and sometimes closer if the treat I’m trying to offer her to reinforce that “people and dogs are good and treats happen when they appear!” is good enough.
But there is no improvement. I’ve been working on it with her for about 9 months now, when it first started happening. I’ve tried so many different methods of positive reinforcement, I’ve tried letting her just exist in spaces to build her confidence. I tried a small form of flooding by allowing someone to approach our car and take our order (never. Again. Ever.) She’s not getting better, she is getting worse.
She is so wildly inconsistent. People approaching the vehicle to take our order? NO. Half a dozen people at a drive through window? No problem! Greeting new people at a family barbecue we didn’t know new people would be at off leash? Totally calm! Greeting a new person in a wide open space with plenty of room to escape on leash? NO!! Seeing a dog on TV? Sometimes that’s doable. Seeing a dog in real life? ABSOLUTELY NOT! Visiting the boarding facility? Nope that’s a little intimidating and god FORBID there is a strange dog in the office/run. But the staff at the boarding facility? No problem! Love them even though they are strangers!
She has n e v e r had a bad experience with a human or dog. Always positive. We have been so careful to monitor her experiences with other people and dogs, and made sure to always reward and reinforce positive association. She has never been kicked, slapped, bit, hit, harassed, shocked, choked, tied up, pushed, or yelled at. I just DO NOT understand where this reactivity, fear, and leash aggression comes from.
I admit she is not as socialized as I wanted her to be. I live in an area that has a lot of prejudice towards the “aggressive” breeds. (Pitties, Rotties, Boxers, etc. the usual breeds that renters won’t allow and nervous moms pick up the kids and cross the street) I didn’t even know that breed discrimination existed until we got our dog. She was a literal tiny puppy and no one wanted to say hello or pet her or let their dog play with her. I don’t understand why everyone expects her to be perfectly socialized when no one ever gave her a chance or the opportunity.
But she’s doesn’t deserve to live her life in an enclosed space just because she is reactive and uncomfortable. She deserves to have playdates and enjoy the groomer and be able to run at the park too. All of my training methods and trials have failed and I have no idea what to do next. I refuse to rehome her, I just want her to feel happy and confident and safe around strangers.
So what’s next?
TLDR; What’s next? We’ve tried a small one-person-sized trial of the flooding method while in our car. We’ve tried positive reinforcement with treats, praise, and affection. We’ve tried redirecting. We’ve tried allowing her to make whatever decision made her comfortable. We’ve tried reinforcing and rewarding obedience while around triggers. We’ve tried allowing people she doesn’t know, but are professionals, to handle her to build her trust in others. None of these have been successful with her.
She’s a year old now, and I love her so much. She’s a fantastic dog and loves our friends and adored the in-law’s dog. She knows so many commands, is intuitive, and endlessly entertains us with her funny personality. She loves to play, loves treats, loves scritches, and looks forward to training and playtime.
But outside? Oh. No that’s different.
Outside she is pushy, sometimes fearful, often disobedient, leash aggressive, reactive, loud, and makes other people and dogs very uncomfortable. When she’s outside in public, it’s a literal nightmare. She will bark and growl and lunge at any dog ( or dog-like thing like wagons and suitcases) regardless of distance. Sometimes people are ok as long as they are far away, and sometimes closer if the treat I’m trying to offer her to reinforce that “people and dogs are good and treats happen when they appear!” is good enough.
But there is no improvement. I’ve been working on it with her for about 9 months now, when it first started happening. I’ve tried so many different methods of positive reinforcement, I’ve tried letting her just exist in spaces to build her confidence. I tried a small form of flooding by allowing someone to approach our car and take our order (never. Again. Ever.) She’s not getting better, she is getting worse.
She is so wildly inconsistent. People approaching the vehicle to take our order? NO. Half a dozen people at a drive through window? No problem! Greeting new people at a family barbecue we didn’t know new people would be at off leash? Totally calm! Greeting a new person in a wide open space with plenty of room to escape on leash? NO!! Seeing a dog on TV? Sometimes that’s doable. Seeing a dog in real life? ABSOLUTELY NOT! Visiting the boarding facility? Nope that’s a little intimidating and god FORBID there is a strange dog in the office/run. But the staff at the boarding facility? No problem! Love them even though they are strangers!
She has n e v e r had a bad experience with a human or dog. Always positive. We have been so careful to monitor her experiences with other people and dogs, and made sure to always reward and reinforce positive association. She has never been kicked, slapped, bit, hit, harassed, shocked, choked, tied up, pushed, or yelled at. I just DO NOT understand where this reactivity, fear, and leash aggression comes from.
I admit she is not as socialized as I wanted her to be. I live in an area that has a lot of prejudice towards the “aggressive” breeds. (Pitties, Rotties, Boxers, etc. the usual breeds that renters won’t allow and nervous moms pick up the kids and cross the street) I didn’t even know that breed discrimination existed until we got our dog. She was a literal tiny puppy and no one wanted to say hello or pet her or let their dog play with her. I don’t understand why everyone expects her to be perfectly socialized when no one ever gave her a chance or the opportunity.
But she’s doesn’t deserve to live her life in an enclosed space just because she is reactive and uncomfortable. She deserves to have playdates and enjoy the groomer and be able to run at the park too. All of my training methods and trials have failed and I have no idea what to do next. I refuse to rehome her, I just want her to feel happy and confident and safe around strangers.
So what’s next?
