Comments on: Coping With a Reactive Dog and His Non-Reactive Person

By: Leslie

Leslie — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 16:20:40 +0000

Oh boy. This came up as a recommended link when I was reading your post from today and just had to come see what it was about. Talk about timing. Reading the other responses here, I am stunned to learn the problem is as widespread as it appears to be and, selfishly, thankful to know we are not alone.

Bella is, as you know, reactive. We take her to classes specifically to help address that reactivity and we work with her constantly. Our goal isn’t all that grand – we just want to be able to take her to the vet without her going ballistic. She doesn’t have to be a social dog, she doesn’t have to go to the park or the dog store. But she does have to go the vet – that’s all we’re asking and we’re working very very hard to get her there.

Now, about that timing comment. I spent a fair bit of time this past Saturday shaking or in tears as our neighbor’s dog once again terrorized us while I was out walking Bella (in our yard, on a leash). We have spoken to the neighbors numerous times. The dog actually lunges and barks at Bella through our windows – something we didn’t know was happening until last summer and while we’ve enacted a temporary solution for that. Unfortunately, it doesn’t stop Bailey from coming into our yard on a daily basis. And Saturday it resulted in me being injured – again. On the bright side, Bella was not hurt, Bailey ran off and Bella (who ripped the leash out of my hand pulling me down, hence my injuries) returned to me immediately. I will live.

So after 3 years of trying to ‘be nice’, we have finally acquiesced and, after verifying with friends in the dog community this wouldn’t bring harm to the dog, we called Animal Control. I suspect this will result in Bailey not wandering through our yard for a couple of months. But if experience has taught me nothing else, she will be back terrorizing my poor dog again probably just about the time we’ve managed to convince Bella she has nothing to fear. 🙁

Thanks for covering this topic. (And thanks for not lumping all reactive dog owners into the same bin.)

By: kenzohw

kenzohw — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 10:50:11 +0000

It is so sad their is no place where we can turn to in cases like this. In then end only Yaakov will pay the price. Karla would just get another dog and everything starts all over again. You already contacted AC, and you also talked to her in person. There is not more you can do.

We have our own little battle going on with the “Kurts” as you maybe can remember. At first I thought I could get through to them. But I have given up. The only option I have left is to avoid them, as I am worried it will only get Kenzo & Viva into trouble.

I am left with a little hope after doing some investigation in Holland for my BSL blogs. Here some municipalities now can seize dogs on behavior that is seen as not good citizenship. They start to hold owners accountable if their dog comes into trouble and a mental test vindicates the dog. It will stop people like Karla from having dogs, and made sure Yaakov would be re-homed with a more knowledgeable family.

Lets hope more will follow that example.

By: lexy

lexy — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 17:47:34 +0000

that would be terrible, having to deal with that situation (i know i’m a bit late in the game, lol, but just had to comment, since i’ve been on both sides of that particular issue). My neighbour has a very dog-aggressive beagle (She is one of the good-at-handling-her-dog’s-aggression people, though unfortunately, has never gotten her dog through his issues with dogs), and, for most of his dog-aggressive-life, i’ve dog-sat him when they go away. Even with such a small dog, it requires a lot of attention to ensure that you aren’t surprised by someoen coming up behind you with their dog. One issue we had with the beagle was that not everyone is willing to believe you when you say, “Stay back, Beagle is very dog aggressive, he is not friendly”. They apparently believed that smaller-sized dogs couldn’t possibly be a threat to their own dog, and in one incident, my sister ended up with Beagle in her arms, on a stranger’s porch, while a man kept approaching her with his exhuberant 6 month old puppy (one way to create another dog just as dog-fearful/aggressive as the Beagle), saying, “no, no, don’t worry, they’ll be fine! dogs will be dogs!”
On the other hand, with my own dog, I’m religious about asking, “is your dog friendly? can my dog come up and say hello?”, and getting an affirmative to both before approaching other people on the street. And yet, a few times, I’ve found myself dragging Gwynn out of the way of a not-just-play snarl and snap, because “Oh, i meant that Dog is friendly most of the time. It’s probably because your dog is unneutered (but he is) or fluffy, or a boy, or a girl, or because it’s tuesday… not that my dog or myself are the problem in the situation.”
sorry, long comment, but I wish you luck in managing the neighbourhood terror (don’t suppose your area has leash-law fines?

By: lauren

lauren — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 19:25:53 +0000

desmond is leash reactive, and this is exactly why i will at least cross the street if not turn around and go the other way when we see other dogs on the street. we have a neighbor who lets his crazy, barking dogs stay out in his front yard a lot (they never get walked, EVER), and we live on a dead-end street essentially, so we very often MUST pass this house, and desmond always goes totally insane. it’s extremely frustrating, but i hope one day we’ll get past it.

By: houndstooth

houndstooth — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 03:09:57 +0000

In reply to Pamela. Sadly, no! The killer for me was when they added a new Siberian puppy for Easter a year and a half ago! WTH?! You can't control the kids and dogs you've got, so you add another one?

By: Julie

Julie — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 02:10:48 +0000

I’m sorry about your neighbor – I know what a frustrating situation it can be. The problem is, irresponsible owners are just that, irresponsible. It seems that I am always returning the same dogs to their homes (“oh, I don’t know how they got out!”) and I end up being the one worrying about THEIR dog!! I definitely worry about off-leash, aggressive dogs – I worry about the dog being charged backing out of their collar to get away from the threat – I love the advice about carrying treats (good luck with that . . . I know Honey would happily run into danger to get them!!!) and I love her bitey face – so scary!! I hope she finishes the job next door soon and goes back to her own side of the block!

By: Helen Del Bove

Helen Del Bove — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 01:03:54 +0000

That is, indeed, a very frustrating situation. I work with reactive dogs all the time and even have one of my own that is completely rehabilitated. I always stress to the owners that they must take responsibility for their dog’s actions. One thing I’ve learned over the years that may be of help to you, or anyone in a similar situation…

Whether or not your dog is reactive or you walk in an area with reactive dogs, always carry a pouch full of nice, moist, delicious dog treats. First, you never know when a training opportunity will present itself and second, the treats may prove useful as a distraction for your dog in an unusual situation. Third, and most important, is for the loose dogs that come charging up to you and yours. Dig your hand into your pouch, grab a big handful of treats and chuck them right at the dog as he comes towards you. Then as the dog is distracted eating and searching for the treats, you can safely high-tail it out of there. No fuss, no muss and no punishments that can trigger something worse. It’s safe and easy. It doesn’t always work, every once in a while you will run across a determined little bugger, but it works more often than not. I fear Yaakov may be one of the more determined little buggers, so you may want to try some actual chicken or hamburger in his case. If the food does distract him, then you have the added bonus of it also being an effective way to counter condition Yaakov, should you choose to try. Good luck!
Helen Del Bove, ABCDT, CPDT-KA

By: DeborahLM

DeborahLM — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 00:13:07 +0000

In reply to Pamela. Thanks, Pam. It does feel that way. I have pretty much taught my dogs to ignore her. But it is a sad situation for everybody.

By: Pamela

Pamela — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 23:13:26 +0000

In reply to DeborahLM. I'm so sorry to hear about your situation. It sounds like you're prisoners in your own yard.

By: KellyK

KellyK — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 20:24:06 +0000

In reply to Pamela. If he's in your yard, barking and scaring your dog, I think it's reasonable to call animal control. I would tell her that you're going to have to first. Not that she's real likely to correct the situation, but it's nice to give fair warning if you can. (I wouldn't suggest being that nice if he had harmed Honey or you.)