Dog reactivity

by Judy Kiehm
(Chicago)

Maisy is a rescue, i adopted her when she was 5 and i have had her for 7 years. she was found in rural Texas and brought to chicago by Alive rescue. she walks at my pace and always has but she has gone after other dogs when i am walking her. she is the most loving dog i have ever had . i am now 81 years old in good health but we had an incident this past week that sent me to the er with a head injury. we were turning a corner by a restaurant with out door seating and she locked eyes with a dog under a table with dining owners . in pulling her away i lost balance hitting my head on the pavement. a friend who boards dogs for years suggested i try a prong collar and she has offered to help me with it. Maisy tolerates dogs she knows and i always walk way around strange dogs but this accident is an eyeopener as to what can happen . any suggestions would be appreciate. we have no interaction with other dogs... just those we pass in walking . thank you, JudyKiehm

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Jun 09, 2021
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Dog Reactivity
by: Donna

I am so sorry this has happened to you.

I would not suggest a prong collar as pain will be associated with it when she reacts to another dog.

Being in a restaurant would be way too close quarters with another dog if your dog is reactive. I would suggest not taking your dog into close quarters like that.

You can work with her in a much kinder way. Get her a gentle leader and work with her in conjunction with treats. So, you need to watch for other dogs, keep your distance putting yourself between her and the other dog (even at a distance)in advance. Use distractive treats as the dog goes by and you keep walking. The gentle leader is not meant to be jerked on by you. You run your hand up the lead to right up the gentle leader under her chin and bring her around. You don't want to hurt her.

Susan Garrett has many podcasts on reactivity.

Here is one with which to start.

And, a .

I have two reactive dogs. They now look to me when they see another dog, and want to be distracted with treats or I have them so sits, stands, downs for treats.

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