Dog owners struggle with reactive dogs' emotional responses

“My boyfriend and I both have reactive dogs. We have accepted they may never be able to get along, coexist, or even meet off leash. But we live super close/walkable and both want to at least try! And think the steps we are thinking will be good things for our dogs to learn/practice either way. Info on dogs : - Dog M is more leash/dog reactive but doesn't have history of being as aggressive with other dogs off leash. Has years of socialization w stranger dogs/daycare and has lived with other d”

“I’ve always wondered if it’s selective or what goes through their minds. Every dog has a different story so it’s hard to say but from my own personal experience, I got my dog through a breeder. She was returned because the original owner had unexpected medical bills and expenses so she couldn’t provide for her anymore. When I first walked into his house, she was in her kennel, along with her brother and mother. He was rowdy but her and her mom were silent. She was friendly, even! Let us (my sist”

“Just curious if anyone is familiar with this dynamic or has any insight... I've had one dog (female) for 10 years and adopted another one (also female) about two years ago. They're roughly the same age. They act totally indifferent toward each other. They like to see what the other is doing in a very "quiet" way but don't really interact. No play bows or anything like that either...just a quick glance in the yard and sometimes they'll walk in the same direction but it d”

“We have two ladies who, somewhat suddenly, do not get along. The older is 7, a Husky/Pyr mix. The younger is a GSD/Aussie mix and about a year old. She was running loose in the neighborhood and was unclaimed when we tried to find her people. No responses, no chip. They got along like they'd always been together until the pupper hit her first heat ( we had delayed spaying while she finished up a little bit of treatment ) and since then ( which has now been finished a spell and she's been”

“My young dog is emotionally traumatized when we say goodbye to a visitor or family member. I am talking crying, howling, high pitched barking, frantically running after them, looking for them. He also seems to have some context into what’s going on. Does not care if people go to the store, step out, etc. but when we part ways for the day or their visit ends he cries. Sometimes for like 15-30 minutes. I thought it was very sweet at first. Now I just want him to be calm and have peace and understa”

“My reactive dog (border collie) isn’t used to seeing children at all. He’s very people (and everything) reactive but it’s worse with children. I want to get him used to my niece and nephew so that they’ll eventually be able to come over to my house. We know that it’ll have to be very gradual. We started it today by bringing my nephew to my house and I just held my dog on his lead and offered him primula (liquid cheese kinda thing) while being in the same room as my nephew while he quietly played”

“About 6 months ago we adopted a hound mix. She’s about 60 lbs and just turned 1. We have two kids (5 and 7) and another dog so we were very careful to have several meet and greets before we committed. The agency said she had no aggression towards dogs or kids which seemed true enough at the time. She was calm and aloof during our get to know yous. Now that we’ve had her a few months it’s very clear she is reactive and unpredictable around kids. She’s great with my daughter but has put her mouth”

“I recently adopted a rescue dog who is reactive, and honestly, the first few weeks have been a learning experience. My dog reacts to other dogs, and I’m trying to understand what triggers the reactions and how I can help without making things worse. I’ve been focusing on positive reinforcement and giving my dog plenty of time to adjust. I’ve read some of the Wiki, but I’d really like to hear from people who have been through this themselves. What helped your reactive dog the most when you first”

“I will preface with this, we are working with a trainer. My 4 yo boy just completed a board and train and we are now working on integrating what he learned with what goes on at home. He has made leaps and bounds with reactivity on walks and intolerance of new situations, I was amazed at this confident boy I have now. I can only speak from my personal anecdote, but the board and train felt like the “throwing him in the deep end” we needed. We have a 9 mo puppy that we worked on independently whil”

“I have a reactive anxious Kelpie mix, he’s 6 years old. My bf (of a bit over a year) doesn’t know how to read his body language, or he does and just ignores it. I tell him when he’s in a reactive state and he gets pissed off at the fact that my baby is reactive. I try to prevent issues when my boy starts getting stiff, anxious, growling, etc. I tell my bf “hey leave him alone” or to take some space away from him. He doesn’t have a bite history, he just gets anxious and growls. The closest thing”

“We have 2 dogs in my home - a 2-year-old Aussie/Elkhound mix and a 7-month-old Pitbull mix. Our 2-year-old is such a sweetheart with every person in his life and is best friends with the puppy and with our friend's German Shepsky who is about 8 months older than him. He got along well with our senior Brittney we had until he passed last spring. However: around the time he reached that 2-year-mark, he started to become more and more reactive. He used to do really well in our yard even off-lea”

“I moved back in with my parents a couple years ago with a german shepherd/lab mix, the dog and my dad get along well, and he even plays fetch with him almost every day, but in the past half year any time my dad gets home after work this dog treats him like a complete stranger, ears back, barking excessively, tail tucked and looks generally very cautious and scared of my dad. This goes on for like 20 minutes and he's back to normal, but it is getting very annoying. What could be causing this?”

“I moved back in with my parents a couple years ago with a german shepherd/lab mix, the dog and my dad get along well, and he even plays fetch with him almost every day, but in the past half year any time my dad gets home after work this dog treats him like a complete stranger, ears back, barking excessively, tail tucked and looks generally very cautious and scared of my dad. This goes on for like 20 minutes and he's back to normal, but it is getting very annoying. What could be causing this?”

“I’m not sure if this is considered “reactive,” but I live with my mom and brother. My mom and I sleep together with the pets in the living room on the couch. My golden just turnt 2 and we’ve had him since April. He is fine with my mom and also me. When my brother comes upstairs, he growls at him sometimes. When my dad comes home for the weekend, he also growls and barks at him. I know that growling is how dogs communicate and trying to silence it can make them act out without wanting. Do what do”

“We have a 7 y.o medium mixed breed (cattle dog x staffy x whatever else is in her) and an 18 month old husky x boy. Both rescued as puppies. The older dog had always been indifferent to other dogs, went to doggy daycare, could walk off leash, obedient, sometimes sassy and would pretend not to hear us when we told her to get off the couch but otherwise very well behaved Since getting the puppy her behaviour has completely changed. We’re lucky that they absolutely love each other and they play all”

“I wanted to share this in case it can help other dogs and their owners. I walk dogs as a side gig, and unfortunately, many of the dogs I work with are reactive. About three months ago, I had to stop walking one of my regulars because they were having recurring episodes of vomiting and diarrhea. I finally encouraged the owner to make an appointment with a board certified veterinary internist. The internist started the dog on a prescription hydrolyzed diet and prescription probiotics. I walked thi”

“My husband and I adopted our dog (mix of poodle, bloodhound, some other things) when he was about a year old. At the time, he showed some minor signs of anxiety but was super sweet with people when they came over to our apartment. After about 6 months with us, he started exhibiting reactivity towards strangers in the house. He’s now almost 5 years old, we’ve worked with numerous trainers/behaviorists. He’s on fluoxetine but we’re honestly not sure if it really helps. We have a 15 month old and I”

“My wife and I have 2 dogs. Both rescues. A 7 year old Shepard mix and a 3 year old mut. 99% of the time they get along amazing. Lay next to each other on the couch, go on walks together peacefully, rotate toys, jump up on our bed together at night, etc. Our 3 year old resource guards food and treats, but that’s about it. About 3 years ago my wife was walking both dogs and was attacked by a dog that got out, and that seemed to almost traumatize our mut. He is slightly reactive on walks to other d”

“My husband and I just adopted a second dog (8.5wks) into our family. We have a 7 year old border collie already. He has always gotten along good with other dogs, and set boundaries when needed. Although he has not been around any puppies this young, he has been around puppies 4months and older, and has loved them. Played like crazy and gotten along great. With this puppy, he does not want him anywhere near his space. He’s not being aggressive by any means but gets annoyed when the puppy is even”

“My wife and I have 2 dogs. Both rescues. A 7 year old Shepard mix and a 3 year old mut. 99% of the time they get along amazing. Lay next to each other on the couch, go on walks together peacefully, rotate toys, jump up on our bed together at night, etc. Our 3 year old resource guards food and treats, but that’s about it. About 3 years ago my wife was walking both dogs and was attacked by a dog that got out, and that seemed to almost traumatize our mut. He is slightly reactive on walks to other d”