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TabithaJ
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24-11-2011, 10:09 PM

Question for those of you with reactive dogs?

Just interested in the types of things you do to help socialise (if that's the correct term here?) your dogs, and gradually expose them to different people and places etc...?

Dexter is still pretty reactive, though he is now fine around several things that he used to go mad at, e.g. motorbikes.

I've been taking him once a week to our local high street - it's really busy and bustling and noisy.

So far, the only thing he's kicked off at was when he saw a bloke sitting on the pavement...! This is something he's reacted to before, it really seems to bother him - guess it looks strange to him.

Apart from that, he's not too bad, though very sensitive to every single sound. Today I took him to the back entrance of the shopping centre - and introduced him to shopping trolleys!! Thought he might kick off but bless him, he was bemused but OK with them
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sarah1983
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24-11-2011, 10:29 PM
Back when I was getting Rupert used to the sights and sounds of living in a city I'd pick exactly what I was going to work on (traffic cones, shopping trolleys, buses, trains etc) and sit or stand where we could see the object without him reacting to it and I just fed him treats. Once he was completely comfortable we'd move a step closer and start again. These days it's rare we encounter something he has no experience with so I don't really do anything now.

However, Rupert will find things to react to. Things he's seen, walked past, sniffed, peed up and played with a thousand times will suddenly and for no known reason become Rupert Eating Monsters for a day. The next day he'll be back to normal with them. It's very strange and very random.
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TabithaJ
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24-11-2011, 10:35 PM
Originally Posted by sarah1983 View Post
Back when I was getting Rupert used to the sights and sounds of living in a city I'd pick exactly what I was going to work on (traffic cones, shopping trolleys, buses, trains etc) and sit or stand where we could see the object without him reacting to it and I just fed him treats. Once he was completely comfortable we'd move a step closer and start again. These days it's rare we encounter something he has no experience with so I don't really do anything now.

However, Rupert will find things to react to. Things he's seen, walked past, sniffed, peed up and played with a thousand times will suddenly and for no known reason become Rupert Eating Monsters for a day. The next day he'll be back to normal with them. It's very strange and very random.


That's what we did today

Sounds like you've helped Rupert a lot

I know what you mean about it being random sometimes though. Dexter will walk past some dogs, while on leash, and be fine. Then he'll see another dog across the road and go beserk. I've tried to isolate the 'trigger' and sometimes I can - but sometimes it does indeed seem random.....!
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Tass
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24-11-2011, 10:48 PM
Originally Posted by TabithaJ View Post
That's what we did today

Sounds like you've helped Rupert a lot

I know what you mean about it being random sometimes though. Dexter will walk past some dogs, while on leash, and be fine. Then he'll see another dog across the road and go beserk. I've tried to isolate the 'trigger' and sometimes I can - but sometimes it does indeed seem random.....!
Bear in mind that all dogs are animate, emotional, independently-thinking, sentient beings with ever changing biochemistry, not only is one dog not the same as another, but even the same dog can present different triggers, or lack of triggers, at different times. Hence this is not as random as it may appear but is different reactions to different stimuli, albeit it may not be easy to identify the triggers.
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Tass
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24-11-2011, 10:50 PM
Originally Posted by sarah1983 View Post
Back when I was getting Rupert used to the sights and sounds of living in a city I'd pick exactly what I was going to work on (traffic cones, shopping trolleys, buses, trains etc) and sit or stand where we could see the object without him reacting to it and I just fed him treats. Once he was completely comfortable we'd move a step closer and start again. These days it's rare we encounter something he has no experience with so I don't really do anything now.

However, Rupert will find things to react to. Things he's seen, walked past, sniffed, peed up and played with a thousand times will suddenly and for no known reason become Rupert Eating Monsters for a day. The next day he'll be back to normal with them. It's very strange and very random.
But everyone knows that Rupert Eating Monsters disguise themselves as normal things that change from day to day!




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Maisiesmum
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24-11-2011, 10:50 PM
I go to carparks - supermarkets, diy stores etc I am able to set the distance a lot easier and can play and do general focus training.

For his on lead reactivity to other dogs I go to the Pets at Home carpark which also has a vets inside. I'm most unlikely to be bothered by off-lead dogs bounding up to him in a carpark. There is also a bedding store and Argos on that particular retail park so I started off way over the other side of the carpark and gradually moved closer to the petshop. Sometimes I don't see many dogs there so we work on people banging car doors, carrying big bags and boxes etc.
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WhichPets
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24-11-2011, 11:05 PM
I have stopped taking Kestral to places where I think she will react.

I used to walk her down a high street in the thought I was getting her used to seeing things. In fact I think I was kind of flooding her to an extent and it made her MORE fearful.

I try to show her things at such a low extent they hopefully do not cause a reaction. I never push anything, and if I get to the point where she reacts I have gone too far. At this point when she practices fear, this is where we begin fear of irrational things.

Like with Rupert, if shes having a scary day, a bin or wall or post that she has seen dozens of times all of a sudden becomes terrifying

Since stopping trying to habituate her to busy streets etc she has been much better and relaxed. I now only take her to parks, training, and peoples houses that she knows. At the moment we are still working on people (the most important at the moment), then I will progress to traffic. I think exposing them to too much can just increase stress?

There is LOADS I could work on, but at the end of the day I dont really need to walk down a dual carriage way with her, walk her round a car park, take her to the pub, a town, a dog show.. so I dont! Maybe in the future

Also, people in different positions, lying, sitting, etc tend to unnerve Kestral too - I think she is not used to seeing people like this so it provokes a reaction.

I hope things continue to go well with Dexter, you have come such a long way and worked so hard with him

I think I have come to the realisation that Kestral is just of a slightly nervous disposition. Whilst there are always things we can work on and improve, I don't think she will ever be totally happy go lucky and will perhaps always be a bit unsure of things she hasn't seen before.

Perhaps just laying off the socialisation of things and letting him have a couple of weeks to wind down and not have the chance to feel anxious, might just help him to feel a bit calmer in general?
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TabithaJ
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24-11-2011, 11:13 PM
Originally Posted by WhichPets View Post

Also, people in different positions, lying, sitting, etc tend to unnerve Kestral too - I think she is not used to seeing people like this so it provokes a reaction.

I hope things continue to go well with Dexter, you have come such a long way and worked so hard with him

I think I have come to the realisation that Kestral is just of a slightly nervous disposition. Whilst there are always things we can work on and improve, I don't think she will ever be totally happy go lucky and will perhaps always be a bit unsure of things she hasn't seen before.

Perhaps just laying off the socialisation of things and letting him have a couple of weeks to wind down and not have the chance to feel anxious, might just help him to feel a bit calmer in general?


Thanks for your kind words

I know what you mean about coming to accept that one's dog may never be a relaxed, placid type

The thing with Dex is, he really loves going to places with lots of people, and he adores getting to meet new people. It's just the 'triggers' which thankfully are fewer now - but boy when we see one.....!

TASS has offered some very helpful advice which I am going to follow, so fingers crossed
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WhichPets
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24-11-2011, 11:26 PM
Originally Posted by TabithaJ View Post
Thanks for your kind words

I know what you mean about coming to accept that one's dog may never be a relaxed, placid type

The thing with Dex is, he really loves going to places with lots of people, and he adores getting to meet new people. It's just the 'triggers' which thankfully are fewer now - but boy when we see one.....!

TASS has offered some very helpful advice which I am going to follow, so fingers crossed
Aw he sounds so sweet I'm sure you will crack it all eventually!
Glad you have an action plan to be following, keep us updated on how things go!
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Ben Mcfuzzylugs
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24-11-2011, 11:34 PM
With Mia I have actually cut way down her socalisation to new things
I can go several weeks only taking her on quiet walks where she sees nothing stressful at all and it makes her able to cope with new things when they happen much easier
and if she does react she gets over it way quicker

When I first got her she was on such high alert that even a plastic bag on the floor that wasnt there last time we passed was enough to set her off
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