I just found this website in my reading list. You might find it useful. It covers a lot of what your already doing but it might give you some different ideas to try.
Care for Reactive Dogs
Care for Reactive Dogs
Shamas the rescue....journey of a pound dog
- Thread starter Shamas mom
- Start date
Great to see you here, and it's really good to catch up with Shama's progress.
- Location
- Canada
Yes, I definitely think that he may be a frustrated greeter
As he gets braver, he's beginning to show more positive signals towards dogs by the Tim Hortons, and the actual park. Tail wagging and huffing but not growls. We nearly introduced him to a dog a couple of weeks ago but it barked at him and he went "nope, I'm out!" Lol
He's also asked me to take him over to a couple of dogs that were calm on walks.
I think he has trouble reading subtle cues.....causing a fear/aggressive response to minor things like confident dogs, barking or walking ahead of the handler.
As he gets braver, he's beginning to show more positive signals towards dogs by the Tim Hortons, and the actual park. Tail wagging and huffing but not growls. We nearly introduced him to a dog a couple of weeks ago but it barked at him and he went "nope, I'm out!" Lol
He's also asked me to take him over to a couple of dogs that were calm on walks.
I think he has trouble reading subtle cues.....causing a fear/aggressive response to minor things like confident dogs, barking or walking ahead of the handler.
- Location
- Canada
He was a champ today
Calmly observed an off leash dog from half a block before deciding to retreat down the side street. Later the same walk he approached a chihuahua that came from its house, to about 10 feet-until it turned and barked at him. Then I said "let's give him space " and we crossed the street and went away. No aggressive show just a raised tail and quick breath as it turned. I noticed this afternoon that two dogs that we see regularly left us plenty of space. ....I saw their owner talking this morning with the owner of a dog that he's lunged before so I assume that word is spreading. No hostility so he must understand that shamas is reactive not vicious
Oh...and this evening Shamas listened to me when I asked him to sit as the old lab passed across the street. He watched, and backed himself up as the distance closed . We treated him for his good behavior
Calmly observed an off leash dog from half a block before deciding to retreat down the side street. Later the same walk he approached a chihuahua that came from its house, to about 10 feet-until it turned and barked at him. Then I said "let's give him space " and we crossed the street and went away. No aggressive show just a raised tail and quick breath as it turned. I noticed this afternoon that two dogs that we see regularly left us plenty of space. ....I saw their owner talking this morning with the owner of a dog that he's lunged before so I assume that word is spreading. No hostility so he must understand that shamas is reactive not vicious
Oh...and this evening Shamas listened to me when I asked him to sit as the old lab passed across the street. He watched, and backed himself up as the distance closed . We treated him for his good behavior
- Location
- Canada
I just upgraded my phone to an Asus and can post photos now
Here are some shots I took of Shamas carrying things home on his walks ?
Here are some shots I took of Shamas carrying things home on his walks ?
- Location
- Wellington, NZ
Those are some really positive "interactions". And how lovely seeing Shamas with his Tim Hortons cardboard carrier!
- Location
- Buckinghamshire UK
This is a lovely thread. It's wonderful to see how well Shamas is doing under your care.
- Location
- Herefordshire, UK
So great to read of Shamas progress,
I have found a similar thing with Scott & Scout. Confident dogs passing us are more likely to cause my two to react, especially ones that look straight at us if we haven't enough distance inbetween, than calm, quiet dogs who have no interest in us at all which we can pass no problem. In fact sometimes if we stop to speak to the owner of the calm dog Scott will whinge a little bit like he wants to make friends with the dog. Not the human though. To make friends with a human my dogs need at least half an hour to work out that the human isn't a monster and the human has to ignore them no prolonged eye contact, definitely no touching. They will then love that human.
It's great when other dog owners are considerate and understand that some dogs just need some help. There are quite a few dog owners we meet who will happily give us space to pass if it's easier for them to move out of the way than for us. Just wish there were more.
Unfortunately we sometimes meet owners of, usually, little dogs on extendable leads who let them wander all over wherever they want rather than just keeping the dog by them while they pass. Sometimes S&S cope ok with it, sometimes it dawns on the owner usually when my dogs start sounding like the Hound of the Baskervilles and they quickly reel the dog in and sometimes they carry on oblivious.
- Location
- Canada
It's actually really funny....the coffee tray is of higher value to Shamas than any treat that I can offer. Yesterday he carried a "bowl" of water home.....with water in it for the first few blocks! I love that because as the water spills into his mouth, I know he is hydrated.
It's a shame we don't have an "agree" button on this forum....Jennifer covered most of my concerns with passing and small dogs in a single post. Sometimes I feel like small dog owners don't train, they manage....just toss a leash on and off we go. Its not like the little guy can pull you over or do damage if its bouncing over the sidewalk. Thankfully I see just enough small dogs on real leashes, taking commands to know that unruly small dogs are not the rule by more than vicious pit bulls are. I also know I'mm a bit turned off of smallness after my mother's terrier mix tried to eat my cats, and a small-town thing tore out of its home and leapt for Shamas throat. Also, hubby was randomly attacked by a pa6of Chihuahua as he went to walk intoTim Horton years ago. They latched into his leg and hung there until the owner came out to take them off.
- Location
- Canada
Great walk just now
We encountered three dogs at threshold
The first was Bob. Shamas knew before I did, and told me he needed space by stopping..so we crossed the road so I could get a better view and I saw Bob with Roxy, the big female. I said "do you need space?" And turned him around to walk the other way.
On the way back, carryng his water cup for focus, there was another dog. We ducked I to Barb's driveway, which is a safe space for him and all the way up near the house. Thankfully Max, her dog, was inside so he could hide by the car. He dropped his cup but didn'otherwise react. This time I was telling him "you're fine, you just need space. Let's get some space" I figure this also alerts the other handler to the root of our issue
Almost as soon as we left Barb's driveway, another neighbour was coming up the street. But she walks on a halti and her dog wagged his tail. So while Shamas raised his tail he didn't look too stressed. Again I suggested we get some space and he hurried the last couple of houses to our front door. Looked very pleased with himself as I emptied his treat bag onto his bowl
We encountered three dogs at threshold
The first was Bob. Shamas knew before I did, and told me he needed space by stopping..so we crossed the road so I could get a better view and I saw Bob with Roxy, the big female. I said "do you need space?" And turned him around to walk the other way.
On the way back, carryng his water cup for focus, there was another dog. We ducked I to Barb's driveway, which is a safe space for him and all the way up near the house. Thankfully Max, her dog, was inside so he could hide by the car. He dropped his cup but didn'otherwise react. This time I was telling him "you're fine, you just need space. Let's get some space" I figure this also alerts the other handler to the root of our issue
Almost as soon as we left Barb's driveway, another neighbour was coming up the street. But she walks on a halti and her dog wagged his tail. So while Shamas raised his tail he didn't look too stressed. Again I suggested we get some space and he hurried the last couple of houses to our front door. Looked very pleased with himself as I emptied his treat bag onto his bowl
- Location
- Isle of Man
Yes, yes, yes. This. Exactly.
That really is a great walk. Shamas certainly knows his "need space" cue and its a good cue like you said it warns the oncoming owner. I disappear up driveways too. We do the same long walk every morning. Most of the people who live on our walk know us and would understand if they found us up their drive which is lucky.
Shamas certainly knows his "need space" cue and its a good cue like you said it warns the oncoming owner. I disappear up driveways too. We do the same long walk every morning. Most of the people who live on our walk know us and would understand if they found us up their drive which is lucky. 
Hi @Shamas mom , not much to add but I think you are doing a great job, well done. It's great you've logged everything as I think you will be able to look back in a very short time and see how much progress you've made. It sounds like you are having to deal with a lot on your walks too which makes it much harder.
- Location
- Canada
Hmmm
Tiki is definitely going to take some work
As well as Shamas is handling other dogs, he falls apart around Tiko.
Probably because Tiko is protective of Bob...in true Chihuahua fashion.
Shamas did manage to cross the street to put distance between us..We were caught by surprise with Bob up barbs driveway visiting and an initial distance of only 20-30' and quickly retreated over the road. he didn't fully lunge but easily might have if not for a firm hand and reminder to get some space. He was half-crouched and fully hackled passing by a screaming,barking Tiko. And he raided the litter box when we got home.
Tiki is definitely going to take some work
As well as Shamas is handling other dogs, he falls apart around Tiko.
Probably because Tiko is protective of Bob...in true Chihuahua fashion.
Shamas did manage to cross the street to put distance between us..We were caught by surprise with Bob up barbs driveway visiting and an initial distance of only 20-30' and quickly retreated over the road. he didn't fully lunge but easily might have if not for a firm hand and reminder to get some space. He was half-crouched and fully hackled passing by a screaming,barking Tiko. And he raided the litter box when we got home.
Unfortunately yes I think it will take some work to get Shamas to not react to Tiko mainly because she is also obviously reactive and if Bob isn't trying to train Tiko not to react when she sees Shamas it makes your job harder. However the fact you managed to get him over the road and not go massively over threshold is a positive. I think management and aiming to get Shamas to not react to Tiko at distance would be a reasonable goal for now and maybe accept that's as good as it might get. Sometimes with reactive dogs management is all we can do. I know it's probably difficult for Bob to manage in a wheelchair but if he could try to distract Tiko if he sees you and Shamas it may help.
I know it's probably difficult for Bob to manage in a wheelchair but if he could try to distract Tiko if he sees you and Shamas it may help.
- Location
- Canada
Yes, Tiko is himself very reactive. Bob says he was abused before he got him. He's also not food driven the way Shamas is...so that easy distraction doesn't exist for Bob
I needed to ask a question and they were still there when I walked up without my dog...Tiko growled and gave me the stink eye....but calmed down when I offered him hotdogs lol
I needed to ask a question and they were still there when I walked up without my dog...Tiko growled and gave me the stink eye....but calmed down when I offered him hotdogs lol
- Location
- Canada
Saw another reactive lab on this evenings. At about 50 feet it barked and jumped toward him....frustrated greeter I think
Shamas half barked bark and pulled, and I took him behind a white picket fence to sit calm(ish) as they passed. She got hers under control pretty quick with a sit, treat so I'm happy with the interaction
This morning Shamas didn't seem to want to go far, so we took a page from our first months and I let him lead me up and down the street. Then Bob came out with Tiko so we went the way we'd come from and around the block. Upon nearing the street again we spotted Tiko and Shamas tail came up so I held him at a good 90-100 feet and fed hotdogs. By the time we moved on his tail was wagging and he was eagerly looking for Tiko ....who was,by design, already inside lol
No point Taking chances
Shamas half barked bark and pulled, and I took him behind a white picket fence to sit calm(ish) as they passed. She got hers under control pretty quick with a sit, treat so I'm happy with the interaction
This morning Shamas didn't seem to want to go far, so we took a page from our first months and I let him lead me up and down the street. Then Bob came out with Tiko so we went the way we'd come from and around the block. Upon nearing the street again we spotted Tiko and Shamas tail came up so I held him at a good 90-100 feet and fed hotdogs. By the time we moved on his tail was wagging and he was eagerly looking for Tiko ....who was,by design, already inside lol
No point Taking chances