GSD Fears

I need some help please?

As many of you know Sam is dog reactive, i have been working on this for nearly two years. i have had qualified behaviourists and driven hours for specialists on recommendation, stooge dogs, one to one obedience, t touch, one to one agility, reactive dog trainer

I am devestated
Sam has had many tests, blood tests, organ function tests, x rays, megasophegus tests all clear

I have spent alot of money on vets and trainers and his behaviour varies day to day, i am so so happy when we get to see dogs (not very close but they're there) and he only slightly barks but my problem is this:

Sam has a huge anxiety disorder, when he gets stressed he is sick therefore after we walk and he's seen another dog he is sick, mostly all night. I just dont know what to do, i walk him late at night for avoidance purposes but where i live there are loads of dogs so usually we do see them, i get so stressed and four months ago was diagnosed with ME its early stages but my main symptom is muscle pain, i cant handle him lunging anymore i cry with pain after walks for hours (i have got halti, gentle leader, muzzle and longline and every other tool you could think of)

Then he is sick, i have three children and work full time and i come home to sick and diorreah where i have left him (my mum stays at mine with kids he is left an hour at most for school runs) it is destroying me

When we go out for the day we take Flynn, Sam doesn't do well at the forest, picnics, park etc and leave him behind, that is destroying me coz again he is sick and i hate leaving him

We have booked our holiday for sept to Wales, for the family and Flynn

Tried Zyklene, DAP, rescue remedy etc etc on and on

I cant afford to keep on and i cant keep coming home to the mess, i am sooo stressed out by it

Please Help

Suggestions so so welcome xx

What do i do?

Firstly, huge hugs (Jess is majorly dog reactive, so know what you are going through at least partly)!!!

The thing that I have done with Jess that has helped her enormously is to take her to places where you ARE going to see other dogs, so it reduces the "specialty" of them, so they become more of a "oh it's a dog ", rather than " wooohooo, look... look... a dog... a dog... must get... must get..."

What area are you in? Have you tried socialisation walks where he will be in a pack of dogs and will learn lots of things by them? It sounds really scary, but I couldn't believe the changes in Jess when we started those walks (unfortunately we don't go on them anymore as they have diminshed from our area, but I would have no hesitation in going if there were more organised).

I also know this next bit is so much easier said than done (I still struggle with this bit, and I've had Jess for 3 years now, so should be a master lol ) is when you see a dog, make sure you don't tense up. The easiest way I find to do this is get a training lead and hoop it round your waste or your body somehow so you're not holding it, so it is harder to put tension on the lead. It does make a difference

Thank you xx
I do do the training lead thing as having him round my waist takes the pressure off my arm muscles i was so pleased when i found this method but he lunges so i have no choice to use my arms too

What i found strange is that i have used friends dogs to walk with....alot of them over the last two years and now he has dogs he knows he is like a cute puppy around them but once he knows them he is fine with JUST that dog, then it starts again with the next one....its almost like ok i can relax that dog is fine....then theres another one lets act feocious

I have been shot down so many times on walks im to scared to even approach people and like yesterday went up the field to walk Sam and a dog just bounded up to him, owner a mile away he just cant handle it and i cant control that situation and i cant take that stress away, its done, then i know he's gonna be sick that night, its so painful to watch
xxx

Have you tired just chilling out? If you are streessed & worried so the dog will be too.

Take a deep breathe & a step back, the step forward together

Thanks Mish i have tried So Many times! But its a real consious thing if you know what i mean?
Almost like "ok lets go, think positive, think positive" chanting it down the road!

I think im always stressed walking him even without knowing it
I have tried getting friends to walk him to, she is more loud than he is, he just got more stressed coz mummy had gone
xx

How old is he?

Have you tryed clicker work PURELY to calm him down

He was two in June
No but my hearts beating faster now you mention somethin i haven't tried, i will honestly try anything

He is Clicker trained but to obedience not to calm, this does go out the window when he sees another dog its like he doesn't know i'm there
xx

That's exactly what it is sweety

I've lost count of the amount of times I've been reduced to tears through a combination of Jess's actions and mainly other people's reactions! It's horrendous! People can be so cruel, but then you'll come across a person every rare so often who will laugh at your dogs reaction, or be able to empathise with you and not look and act like you have a monster on the end of the lead and it will make your day!

I'm about to PM you

Thank you xx

This is how i deal with fear aggressive & agressive/.agressive dogs, a mixture Clicking to calm & calming signals, name response & complete confidence in owner.

It sounds (hope you dont mind) tht youve done ALOT in two years, i suspect with all the chopping & changing he ust dosent know WHAT is required,which stresses him out, which stresses you out, with stresses him out which stresses you out.

THe clicker for calming & confidence is particarlary good as it takes all the "emotion" out of the training, which can really help in such circumstances