I have a just turned 2 pit mix. I adopted him at 8 weeks from a rescue. He's a pit mix, looks like pit/boxer. we did play all day daycare when he was younger with no real issues. "He plays rough." but there were no real problems. As he got closer to 2, the rough play was progressing and he was being relegated to "time out". I'd heard of dogs "aging out" of play all day and assumed he just didn't like the chaos anymore and it was just overwhelming. We switched to a day care where the dogs are separated, each with their own kennel. I went to pick him up last week and was told that he had a hard time that day. She thought it was because there were 6 dogs in the same family in the kennel next to his and he was maybe feeling threatened by the "pack" element. She just moved him to a different kennel where he was more isolated. When I went to pick him up yesterday and asked how he did, she said he was trying to get to a dog that is super laid back. Now we're at the point where I can only take him there when she's not full because he has to be separated from the other kennels. I'm at a loss. My daughter was here over Christmas with her dog (also a pit mix). They were fine. Milo (my dog) was a pest bc he kept wanting Cleo to play with him but he backed off when she snarled at him or otherwise made it clear she wasn't interested.
Last year, we went to the park a few days a week just to try to get him more comfortable walking on leash, seeing other dogs, getting used to being around cars, etc. I used to take him to Tractor Supply just to walk around and get him socialized with strangers. He's afraid of cars and I literally can not walk him where we live. It's like the indianapolis 500 on a curvy country road with no place to get off the road, if necessary. He was doing really well. The weather is finally getting decent here but now I'm afraid to take him for fear he'll go after a dog. Last year, he'd just watch the other dogs. We kept our distance but were getting better about being around strange (to him) people/dogs/things. I'm 5'4" 130 lb and almost 67. I manage him well but if he decides he's going after something (dog), I'm not going to be able to stop him OR break it up. He's 65 lbs. When I tell people who know him what is going on, they're like "Milo???? Milo loves everyone!" The only person he's ever even growled at was a worker who was on our property. He was fine licking the guy's hand through the fence but when he reached over the fence, Milo growled at him and went for his hand. He loves everyone at the vet's (until they start trying to restrain him). He seems to prefer women but has no issues with the male visitors in our family. We have a large fenced in area for him. We have deer frequently and he just sits and watches them. He freaks out if someone pulls in our driveway. We had workers here cutting trees down and I thought that was going to be a nightmare. He threw a fit at the window for a while but settled and seemed more interested in what they were doing after awhile. He also went outside and watched them through the fence but wasn't trying to jump it or anything to get to anyone. He barked once is awhile but that's it. We did puppy classes when he was younger with no issues.
I've been looking at the SpiritDog reactive dog class. I need to do something.I'm afraid to take him anywhere. Going to the vet is a nightmare. He loves everyone but as soon as they try to restrain him he freaks out and then it's an ordeal to get a muzzle on him so they can actually examine him. Having his nails done at the vet requires sedation. I'm in an area where there aren't a lot of options as far as trainers. I've already spent over $400 between puppy classes and private sessions. Can anyone offer advice?
Last year, we went to the park a few days a week just to try to get him more comfortable walking on leash, seeing other dogs, getting used to being around cars, etc. I used to take him to Tractor Supply just to walk around and get him socialized with strangers. He's afraid of cars and I literally can not walk him where we live. It's like the indianapolis 500 on a curvy country road with no place to get off the road, if necessary. He was doing really well. The weather is finally getting decent here but now I'm afraid to take him for fear he'll go after a dog. Last year, he'd just watch the other dogs. We kept our distance but were getting better about being around strange (to him) people/dogs/things. I'm 5'4" 130 lb and almost 67. I manage him well but if he decides he's going after something (dog), I'm not going to be able to stop him OR break it up. He's 65 lbs. When I tell people who know him what is going on, they're like "Milo???? Milo loves everyone!" The only person he's ever even growled at was a worker who was on our property. He was fine licking the guy's hand through the fence but when he reached over the fence, Milo growled at him and went for his hand. He loves everyone at the vet's (until they start trying to restrain him). He seems to prefer women but has no issues with the male visitors in our family. We have a large fenced in area for him. We have deer frequently and he just sits and watches them. He freaks out if someone pulls in our driveway. We had workers here cutting trees down and I thought that was going to be a nightmare. He threw a fit at the window for a while but settled and seemed more interested in what they were doing after awhile. He also went outside and watched them through the fence but wasn't trying to jump it or anything to get to anyone. He barked once is awhile but that's it. We did puppy classes when he was younger with no issues.
I've been looking at the SpiritDog reactive dog class. I need to do something.I'm afraid to take him anywhere. Going to the vet is a nightmare. He loves everyone but as soon as they try to restrain him he freaks out and then it's an ordeal to get a muzzle on him so they can actually examine him. Having his nails done at the vet requires sedation. I'm in an area where there aren't a lot of options as far as trainers. I've already spent over $400 between puppy classes and private sessions. Can anyone offer advice?