Our beagle Cricket has her issues with off leash dogs and the occasional stranger, and Sheba has some mild fears, but Luke is our first dog that I really consider reactive. Reactive dogs are dogs that respond to their fears with an abnormal level of intensity. Since we raised Luke from a puppy, we know there was no abuse in his background or reason for him to have these fears. We could have socialized him a little better, but for the most part I believe his issues are genetic and would have come about no matter how we had raised him. He started to show his first fears around 4 months old and we got him to obedience school immediately and have worked with him ever since.
He has other personality quirks as well. Despite constant handling of his paws, ears, and mouth from the time he came home with us at 8 weeks old, one day he decided he didn’t want us touching him in any way that wasn’t just petting or affectionate. If he has a tick on him, we have to use ninja maneuvers to trick him into letting us get it off. Nail trimming is a project that requires a plate brushed with peanut butter, and that took a lot of time to come about.
He hasn’t improved much as he’s gotten older, not yet anyway, but we keep trying. I’ve said it before; he is the most loving, affectionate, and sweet dog with us, and we wouldn’t trade him for the world. We just wish he would love everyone as much as he loves us. What we took for granted with our other dogs can be a challenge with Luke. Even though we’re new to this, I have a feeling anyone with a reactive dog gets excited about every little breakthrough that happens.
We’ve had three recently, so of course I’m busting to share about them. They might not seem like much to anyone who has “normal” dogs, but I think any pet parent can understand pride over their pets’ achievements, and other reactive pet families will understand even more.
#1: A few weeks ago I wrote about the nice elderly gentleman in our neighborhood who drives around visiting, and will pull over to dispense a treat if he sees someone with a dog. The first time he pulled over when I had Luke, I worried Luke would bark at him. But he never really saw the man so sat down and behaved perfectly. The next time we saw him recently, we were on the other side of the road and I had to cross over to get the treat. This time Luke could clearly see and hear the man. I kept Luke just behind me and gave him treats as we walked over there. Luke did briefly let out a low growl but that was it! He happily took the treat I handed to him from the man. That went better than I expected.
#2: If anyone remembers that post about the first encounter, they remember I avoided our neighbor’s house after that because I didn’t want to ruin my pleasure at how that went. The next time my neighbor was in the yard, I made sure Luke saw her. We did cross to the other side of the road to get some distance. Luke saw her and started to react, but I stuck a treat in his face and told him to heel…and…he stopped and took the treat, and then continued walking! That was another win and I think it’s promising in the long term. It’s helped me to the point where I’m seeking out these encounters now instead of trying to avoid them, though we’ll continue to take it slow and keep distance.
#3: This was a little different and what inspired me to write this post. We received a Chi for Dogs Soft Grip Massage Brush when we were at BlogPaws from Fetch4Pets. Last weekend both Luke and Cricket had baths, and Sheba went to the groomer a couple days later. Surprisingly, baths are one thing Luke is good about (knock wood). I had been using that brush on Sheba some, and she seemed to like how it felt. It didn’t work for getting out her undercoat so well (it loosened but didn’t quite remove it), but it worked quite well on Cricket’s shorter fur. I was brushing Cricket with it out on our deck Saturday when Luke came over to bother us. Now, thank goodness Luke is a short haired dog, because brushing is another thing he’s never let me do to him. He does shed and I’d like to brush him some but it’s not something I worried about much with so many other issues to work on.
But when he approached me on the deck I couldn’t resist trying to use the brush on him, and to my astonishment, he let me brush him! I started out slowly and softly, sitting next to him and talking nicely. He must have decided he liked it because he let me brush him for 5-10 minutes! I praised him quietly and was just so thrilled. I don’t know why – whether it was that nice massaging brush, the fact that I was sitting down (instead of standing over him like I normally would have tried), or if the Relaxation Protocol we’ve been doing is helping. I was almost afraid to try again, because maybe he was just having a moment. But he let me brush him again so my hubby could take some photos.
Yes, these are small things in this long and bumpy reactive road we’re on, and I know there will be ups and downs. But I am going to take each win for what it’s worth – and to us, it’s worth a lot.
**Have you entered our giveaway for a 4Knines Rear Seat Cover for your car or truck yet? Click here to be taken to the review and giveaway!**
Wow, so glad to see all Luke’s progress. Good for both of you.
And I love how you were reinforced by his good behavior. Because there is a point where we humans become “reactive” because we’re working so hard to manage positive interactions for our dogs.
It’s huge to see this progress.
Thank you, Pamela!
We have some more progress to report, I’m working on a post for this week’s Positive Reinforcement blog hop, which I hope to get up tomorrow. We did have a setback with the Relaxation Protocol, but it’s not anything I’m too worried about.
Yeah for Luke!! That is so awesome that he has a mom like you who loves him and cares so much 🙂
Thank you! It can be frustrating dealing with these issues. I meet so many people that don’t understand how Luke is though. That makes me realize that he ended up with us for a reason….others might not have the patience with him that I do. I think dogs like him can end up in shelters if they go to the wrong home, and that would be the worse thing for a shy dog like him.
For sure. He is with you because he is meant to be 🙂 Awesome for both!!
Yeah for Luke!! And you 🙂 That is so awesome that he has a mom like you who cares so much!!
So glad you had a grooming breakthrough with Luke! That’s terrific!! Keep up the good work! Baby steps count, and you’re getting there!! 🙂
way to go Luke, you are doing so well.
Delilah was very aloof when she came to us, it took her a long time to trust us and let us give her affection. Now she absolutely thrives on it and seeks it out from us. I’ve also noticed her seeing it from others as well.
That is so great that Delilah has come so far. I look forward to the day that Luke shares his affections with more people. He absolutely loves my sister though…a little too much at times, if you get my drift. 🙂
I think he is growing up into a confident dog. I think all your different training is starting to pay off.
Thank you, I hope you’re right!
Ah, yes, those moments when our reactive dogs don’t react! Each one is a big win, no matter how insignificant it may seem to someone else!
Ducky reacts to strange people whether on or off the leash, especially if I don’t see them at first. If I see them I can at least reassure Ducky that “I’ve got this. Relax.” And normally she does. And even though those times out-number the reactive moments at daycare now, I still praise her effusively when she stays calm. And so do the folks at daycare.
She’s a work in progress, but every kiss from my little demon just endears her to us all the more. So, yes, I understand fully where you’re coming from, and where other “pawrents” of reactive dogs are coming from.
All the love they give us totally makes it worth the extra work. 🙂 The fact that Ducky can even go to daycare must show that she has made a lot of progress with her issues.
So glad you can celebrate the small successes!
Those are great “wins”! I know exactly what you mean… Rita is SO sweet with us and such a good girl, but when she goes ape because she thinks a stranger is “following” us and they sneer and say “is she always like that?” it’s such a drag. We’ve had her almost 4 years now and she’s come a LONG way! She used to react to: bikes, skateboards, loud trucks, strange men in hats, gardeners and other dogs. But now she’s really down to just certain men (like if someone ‘surprises’ us coming around a corner, or seems to be following us) and certain dogs. It’s a loooong slow process, isn’t it?
It certainly is! I’m glad to hear that Rita has made so much progress though, it gives me hope for Luke. Cricket used to have trouble with some men that came to our house too, but she never does any more. But she wasn’t as bad as Luke, she would just need a little time to adjust, and was easily bribed with treats or someone who would throw her ball!
Rita’s still really bad with men coming to the house. I’m torn on that one though…. I do kinda want her to remain a great guard dog, so I haven’t tried that hard to train her out of it. The only thing that calms her down when the gardener comes every other week is that Kong canned “cheese”! It does make it hectic whenever we want to have any work done at the house!
I do remember you writing about Rita and the gardener. I agree – I am torn also. I want Luke to be just a bit unfriendly to strangers, not just at the house, but on walks too. Our golden retriever Moses was actually a great guard dog. He could put on a pretty good show, running and barking at people. They just didn’t always have to know that when he actually got to them, he’d lick them to death, not bite. 🙂
I might have to try that canned cheese! I can get Luke to stop barking and come to me for a treat, but once he’s woofed it down, he goes back to his barking.
We think Luke is growing up! I have a good pal at the park, Wally, he’s a Pug mix, he goes nuts over certain dogs. He gets so agitated that his mom just has to take him home. My mom has tried distracting him with treats, that he readily sits for, but he still stays agitated. Mom would really like to help him out, its very upsetting to watch. If you have any suggestions we’d appreciate it, thanks! Love Dolly PeeS: Mom is so sorry it took so long to come visit.
Dolly, that’s OK, I know your Mom was gone away, and it’s hard to get caught back up on everything!
The one thing I could think of with Wally, is that perhaps his Mom can keep him further away from the other dogs that bother him. That’s one thing I’ve been reading….keep them at the distance that they’re comfortable with, giving them treats, and then slowly move them closer and closer as long as they stay comfortable.
I did that with Luke yesterday with the mailman. He started barking at him, so we moved back a couple steps, and then I gave him treats when he stopped.
It does seem like Luke is make some progress…as small as it may seem. Good going, Luke!
Well done, Luke. You’re making your mom very happy . . . little by little!
Mom has learned to be happy with small improvements and being patient. Bailie loves everyone, so when she growls at someone, Mom listens. I’m the hardest one to deal with in the family, but I hear I’m a constant work in progress.
Every win counts – in my book, there’s no such thing as a small win. They all matter and eventually add up to a nonreactive dog. Daisy has reactive leash issues too, and every time we get her to act properly, it’s a big deal because it happens more and more often. Well done to both of you! 🙂
Thank you! It always helps to know that others out there are dealing with similar things, and making progress! It keeps the hope going along with each little breakthrough.
Congratulations Luke! Pierre has trust issues when it comes to brushing too. He will avoid me like the plague when he sees me get the brush. Baby steps…baby steps. LOL!
There are so many ups and downs with our beloved pups aren’t there? You are doing great though!!!
That brush looks cool!!!
ღ husky hugz ღ frum our pack at Love is being owned by a husky!
Bravo Luke :o) I wish you a lot of ups and no downs, efurry little step is a win :o)