@rich4u2 I know how difficult it can be having a dog around other people and animals. Keep socializing him and the barking will taper off. It’s a pain to have a cute pup! People can be very tone deaf when it comes to petting our dogs. Mostly work on being more patient. It will pay off in the end.
Why can’t people leave me and my reactive puppy alone?
vanerahelson
New member
@rich4u2 I think this was just a really poor mismatch of expectations for the place you chose to train at. I am going to be very blunt. Dog parks are not the best places to go to find responsable dog savy people. It is why dog trainers, vets, and ethical dog breeder say to no go to them. Yes you were outside of the dog park and not inside it. Yet, that does not change the fact that you were right beside a place that the people that use it tend to be the kind that have "Don't worry he is friendly" dogs. Having strangers come right up to you if you linger around to say hello, tell you to come on in, how cute they must love playing here, and other variations of come join us when you are ready is very normal for that kind of place. It is Same with having sudden off leash dogs running up to you as people don't bother to leash them between their car and the entrance to the park. It is one of the more distracting places you can choose to train, even from outside the dog park, at if you don't already have a good handle on reactivity.
Places that would work better for training dog reactivity would be on leash parks that people walk their dogs in. They give you more space to separate your dog from them and stay under threshold for your dog. Try to scope out places first to see how many dogs, if they are kept on leash, and how busy they are first. As it varys greatly. You could try outside of a dog park but during very quiet hours when there are less people and dogs.
Places that would work better for training dog reactivity would be on leash parks that people walk their dogs in. They give you more space to separate your dog from them and stay under threshold for your dog. Try to scope out places first to see how many dogs, if they are kept on leash, and how busy they are first. As it varys greatly. You could try outside of a dog park but during very quiet hours when there are less people and dogs.
@rich4u2 Our reactive pup often pulls like CRAZY to get through our busy lobby up to her 'safe zone' which is our floor of the building. It's not ideal, but we're really working on it. She's a strong gal so when she pulls she starts breathing really loudly and heavily, and we get so many comments, like, 'OH MY!' Like, thank you, I know my dog is having a hard time right now, please shut up and let us be.
thethao247h
New member
@rich4u2 Other people gave good advice so i won’t but i feeeeel you.
People need to learn sometimes not all dog owners want to chat . I don’t mind it so much anymore but I had a reactive puppy in a city who was very scared (she would absoloutly try and run away if not on her long lead) .
I had people tell me to let her off it as they won’t go anywhere at her age (a total lie because if i wasn’t holding the lead and her flight instinct kicked in over a sound of a far away barking dog she would try and run)
People coming over trying to crowd round and touch etc. It’s awful and draining especially if you are on a roll with no reactions.
It might get better for you it did for us but i did move out of the environment and my dogs come along way!
People need to learn sometimes not all dog owners want to chat . I don’t mind it so much anymore but I had a reactive puppy in a city who was very scared (she would absoloutly try and run away if not on her long lead) .
I had people tell me to let her off it as they won’t go anywhere at her age (a total lie because if i wasn’t holding the lead and her flight instinct kicked in over a sound of a far away barking dog she would try and run)
People coming over trying to crowd round and touch etc. It’s awful and draining especially if you are on a roll with no reactions.
It might get better for you it did for us but i did move out of the environment and my dogs come along way!
@rich4u2 I can relate, I feel like it's easy to tell if someone wants to be approached or not, especially if you see someone sitting far away and do not show any interest in joining the activities there.
I get that people try to be nice, but they should put more effort in recognising who they are approaching.
My dog is also reactive, and we have been working a lot to socialize it, so we've come a long way, but it was tough in the beginning, and people who didn't respect any boundaries made it worse.
We could easily walk, and she would pay no attention, but if someone stops us or tries to pet her, she'll start barking.
There's also different type of people who walk their dogs and want to introduce their dog to your dog, I literally hate these interactions, as my dog starts barking aggressively at other dogs she doesnt know that are close to her, and I try everything to avoid crossing our path with other dog owners that walk their dog however they make it extremely hard, as they literally chase us.
Last week I saw a lady walking her dog in the distance, so I decided to cross on the other sidewalk, as soon as I did that she did it too, I was like ok let me go back, and crossed the sidewalk once again then she does it too.. I literally stopped for a few seconds, and as they were approaching, I crossed on to the other sidewalk... again.. and guess... she does it too.
It was obvious that she wanted our dogs to meet as she was staring right into us, so I just picked my dog up and went in a different direction.
I don't own the sidewalks, nor I can request from people to make sure they keep their distance when they walk their dogs, but when I'm clearly trying to avoid you by doing all I can to stay as far as possible, just don't chase me, especially if I warned you.
I'm not trying to be rude, nor socially awkward, I just know my dog needs some time before she can get comfortable around new dogs.
Otherwise, she'll just start barking and tuck her tail for the rest of the walk, I know when people are approaching someone else, they have good intentions, but it's just about respecting some boundaries.
I get that people try to be nice, but they should put more effort in recognising who they are approaching.
My dog is also reactive, and we have been working a lot to socialize it, so we've come a long way, but it was tough in the beginning, and people who didn't respect any boundaries made it worse.
We could easily walk, and she would pay no attention, but if someone stops us or tries to pet her, she'll start barking.
There's also different type of people who walk their dogs and want to introduce their dog to your dog, I literally hate these interactions, as my dog starts barking aggressively at other dogs she doesnt know that are close to her, and I try everything to avoid crossing our path with other dog owners that walk their dog however they make it extremely hard, as they literally chase us.
Last week I saw a lady walking her dog in the distance, so I decided to cross on the other sidewalk, as soon as I did that she did it too, I was like ok let me go back, and crossed the sidewalk once again then she does it too.. I literally stopped for a few seconds, and as they were approaching, I crossed on to the other sidewalk... again.. and guess... she does it too.
It was obvious that she wanted our dogs to meet as she was staring right into us, so I just picked my dog up and went in a different direction.
I don't own the sidewalks, nor I can request from people to make sure they keep their distance when they walk their dogs, but when I'm clearly trying to avoid you by doing all I can to stay as far as possible, just don't chase me, especially if I warned you.
I'm not trying to be rude, nor socially awkward, I just know my dog needs some time before she can get comfortable around new dogs.
Otherwise, she'll just start barking and tuck her tail for the rest of the walk, I know when people are approaching someone else, they have good intentions, but it's just about respecting some boundaries.
@rich4u2 Agree, people like to think they’re know it all’s and can’t miss an opportunity to come and offer their opinion on someone else’s situation while knowing absolutely nothing about it. My pup is also reactive, also training her to bark less, but it’s taking a while and my relatives etc are very quick to complain because the dog barks longer than 2 seconds upon their arrival. When I ask them to please stop doing what they’re doing (ie. reaching for the dog, making her bark more), they just don’t listen. But they complain more. It’s very annoying and you have my empathy. Maybe wear a T shirt that says “my dog is in training - stay back please”. I’m seriously considering doing the same
@rich4u2 Talk about small world - I too have a 7mo old mini schnauzer who’s reactive lol. We should be friends!! I’ve been working with an animal behaviorist who has really helped my little guy come a long way. After 1-2 months of desensitizing him within threshold training, we took him for his first official hike last weekend with a lot of ppl and dogs, and he didn’t react. If you’d like, I can share with you via PM what we did to get him to this point. Because just a month ago he was barking at anyone he saw within eye sight. And if they were walking towards us, it was just rough. I really feel for you. People just don’t understand.
@rich4u2 Just gonna mention, I have a formerly dog-reactive miniature schnauzer. None of the exercises on reactivity helped with him — he will bark when he wants to. What did help with our schnauzer was a lot of socialization. Walking down busy streets, being allowed to roam at the dog park and having play dates with other dogs all worked wonders.
@rich4u2 What a holes. Can you buy flags or accessories that say “training, give me space” or “nervous give me space”. You can even get a high vis vest with this written on it.
I know mini schnauzers reasonably well. I adore them, but they are vocal. Step back your socialisation a little. Socialisation refers to expose to sounds, different environments, people, weather, as well as dogs.
I start in a small space at the front of the house. I have a driveway and garden space. I use a long lead and just sit out there playing with a toy or doing something the puppy likes. A scary loud truck comes by, give treats until scary truck is gone. The same can apply to dogs, people or leaves. Keep training sessions short; 5-10 minutes.
You don’t want to flood them with scary things. They have a threshold. As a puppy parent, it’s our job to keep them under that threshold. It doesn’t always happen, but it’s an aim.
By the sounds of the people at that park, they know F all about body language. Make sure you learn about this.
You can do this.
I know mini schnauzers reasonably well. I adore them, but they are vocal. Step back your socialisation a little. Socialisation refers to expose to sounds, different environments, people, weather, as well as dogs.
I start in a small space at the front of the house. I have a driveway and garden space. I use a long lead and just sit out there playing with a toy or doing something the puppy likes. A scary loud truck comes by, give treats until scary truck is gone. The same can apply to dogs, people or leaves. Keep training sessions short; 5-10 minutes.
You don’t want to flood them with scary things. They have a threshold. As a puppy parent, it’s our job to keep them under that threshold. It doesn’t always happen, but it’s an aim.
By the sounds of the people at that park, they know F all about body language. Make sure you learn about this.
You can do this.
cristina49
New member
@rich4u2 I have the same problem. We do “drills” on our morning walk… one man can’t get it through his thick head that his dog and mine do not like each other, so that is why I cross the street or turn and go the opposite way. He sees us and instead of moving away he comes within five feet which triggers both dogs.
His dog charged and jumped my pup when he was just a year old… my dog hasn’t forgotten . My dog is now a big boy. Didn’t make for stress free walks. My Lab is a lover of everything and especially loves and is gentle with his small friends.
Some people don’t get it! And don’t train at all!
His dog charged and jumped my pup when he was just a year old… my dog hasn’t forgotten . My dog is now a big boy. Didn’t make for stress free walks. My Lab is a lover of everything and especially loves and is gentle with his small friends.
Some people don’t get it! And don’t train at all!
imagebeastmarkbeast
New member
@rich4u2 I'm sorry this happened! It makes sense you wanted to approach a dog park as that's one of the few places in most towns where you'll be guaranteed to be able to practice with dogs close by.
I wish the other owners had been more mindful of the situation. It was clear your dog was distressed. They should not have approached a clearly activated and clearly vocal dog.
To me that shows maybe the dog park isn't a good fit. We have a few dog parks in town and the clients at all but one are awful. Just selfish and no idea about dog body language. They're on their phone the entire time and no eyes on their dogs.
Nobody should ever approach a person with a dog without consent and checking in with the owner first.
Just because you were in the vicinity of the dog park doesn't mean everyone suddenly gets to become an expert regarding what YOUR dog needs and wants. You're the owner and protector of your dog.
I would have felt the same way you did.
If I notice a dog on a walk passing by us is showing even early signs of distress in approach before the owner and I can even talk, I leave space. I leave space by default anyway but especially if a dog barks, pulls, or gives away any sign they're activated.
Ignore the mean comments. I block by default anyone who is not kind online because life is hard enough as is. I don't have the emotional bandwidth to communicate with strangers who don't want to be nice.
I wish the other owners had been more mindful of the situation. It was clear your dog was distressed. They should not have approached a clearly activated and clearly vocal dog.
To me that shows maybe the dog park isn't a good fit. We have a few dog parks in town and the clients at all but one are awful. Just selfish and no idea about dog body language. They're on their phone the entire time and no eyes on their dogs.
Nobody should ever approach a person with a dog without consent and checking in with the owner first.
Just because you were in the vicinity of the dog park doesn't mean everyone suddenly gets to become an expert regarding what YOUR dog needs and wants. You're the owner and protector of your dog.
I would have felt the same way you did.
If I notice a dog on a walk passing by us is showing even early signs of distress in approach before the owner and I can even talk, I leave space. I leave space by default anyway but especially if a dog barks, pulls, or gives away any sign they're activated.
Ignore the mean comments. I block by default anyone who is not kind online because life is hard enough as is. I don't have the emotional bandwidth to communicate with strangers who don't want to be nice.
imagebeastmarkbeast
New member
I tried that. Some lady tried to recruit me to her church@imagebeastmarkbeast But attention was off dog, so….
imagebeastmarkbeast
New member
@imagebeastmarkbeast You could also just cultivate your F-off face, which works pretty well for me. I have Italian ancestry though…