We’re on our second week of reconcile 64mg (he’s a big boy). It was sort of a last ditch effort, being that the other dog owners in my area believe that leash laws don’t apply to them. I have sought out professional training: first basic/intermediate obedience, then was taken for almost $2K by a trainer who “specialized” in reactivity, only to walk away with my dog learning the “place” command.
He’s starting a new Reactive Dog training program (this time at an actual facility, instead of private lessons at home) and we’ve begun muzzle training (it’s slow going). The medication, I’m hoping, will reduce his anxiety enough for me to get him out of triggering situations in a quicker and safer way. I take him for walks/hikes during low traffic times, change direction when I see other dogs, work on counter-conditioning when we’re at a safe enough distance. I feel like I’m doing all I can.
Off-lead dogs make this SO MUCH HARDER. And 9 times out of 10, the owners are yards back, the dogs have no recall, or the owner perhaps doesn’t know the definition of the word.
He attacked a cattle dog in the woods after I called out to the owner to recall her dog (NOT FRIENDLY. RECALL YOUR DOG) no less than 5 times. She did not recall. She rather told her dog to “stop” not 3 feet from my dog, who was on a 6-ft lead, and had slack enough to lunge.
Of course, once I’d gotten the situation under control (she just stood there screaming) I was berated about how I shouldn’t have my dog out at all. I let my frustration get the best of me and told her maybe she should follow the fucking leash laws. Seriously, is space so much to ask?
I now carry a can of compressed air (surprisingly effective) with me. I’ve purchased a hi-vis vest that says “REACTIVE DOG - GIVE US SPACE”, and a hoodie that says the same in big, bold letters. I don’t know what else to do. I’ve even spoken to the city about adding some signage on those public foot trails about keeping dogs leashed. I’m exhausted and frustrated, and I don’t think I have the capacity to be the kind and courteous neighbor anymore.
He’s starting a new Reactive Dog training program (this time at an actual facility, instead of private lessons at home) and we’ve begun muzzle training (it’s slow going). The medication, I’m hoping, will reduce his anxiety enough for me to get him out of triggering situations in a quicker and safer way. I take him for walks/hikes during low traffic times, change direction when I see other dogs, work on counter-conditioning when we’re at a safe enough distance. I feel like I’m doing all I can.
Off-lead dogs make this SO MUCH HARDER. And 9 times out of 10, the owners are yards back, the dogs have no recall, or the owner perhaps doesn’t know the definition of the word.
He attacked a cattle dog in the woods after I called out to the owner to recall her dog (NOT FRIENDLY. RECALL YOUR DOG) no less than 5 times. She did not recall. She rather told her dog to “stop” not 3 feet from my dog, who was on a 6-ft lead, and had slack enough to lunge.
Of course, once I’d gotten the situation under control (she just stood there screaming) I was berated about how I shouldn’t have my dog out at all. I let my frustration get the best of me and told her maybe she should follow the fucking leash laws. Seriously, is space so much to ask?
I now carry a can of compressed air (surprisingly effective) with me. I’ve purchased a hi-vis vest that says “REACTIVE DOG - GIVE US SPACE”, and a hoodie that says the same in big, bold letters. I don’t know what else to do. I’ve even spoken to the city about adding some signage on those public foot trails about keeping dogs leashed. I’m exhausted and frustrated, and I don’t think I have the capacity to be the kind and courteous neighbor anymore.
). The only thing I said was "btw this is an off leash area. He laughed and mocked me and dared me to call bylaw. Like ok man, I am scared of random big dogs. My boy is my world and I'm just not risking it. Idk why people can't just mind their business.