Sudden Over reaction and increasing reactivity

[Pam]

OK so Beau is turning 18 months. Many months ago we thought we finally got him over most of his strong reactivity to flying and fast moving things in his environment (birds, squirrels, airplanes, cars). He was great in the backyard and no problem of any sort on walks. Out of nowhere the reactivity came back. He fence runs at the sight of a plane (living 10 miles from an airport they are unpredictable and constant) and runs so fast with so much concentration and intent I cannot stop him. He seems almost OCD about it. Recently I took him for walk in a park where we hadn't been in awhile but he had always been wonderful there. At first he was fine and out of nowhere he started to lunge and bark at skateboards and bikes. Then the following week it was a stroller and people jogging. I don't even know what to do with him in the yard as if I take him out on a leash he pulls so hard I am afraid he will hurt his throat. And I can't really just walk him round and round our small yard on a leash--he will never go to the bathroom or get exercise that way. But the fence running is increasing and becoming more unreliable as to what the trigger is.

I play find it with him and take out treats but he can escalate really fast. I am so upset. He was doing so incredibly well. And it is at the point I often cannot even train him outside because out of nowhere he will just start up.

 

[Piper's mom]

I also have problems with Piper with skateboarders and running the fence line when someone is walking along the public sidewalk. On a walk if I see something coming towards us I'll put Piper into a down stay until they've passed, or turn around and go another way...we can always see what's coming before the dog can so if you see something that might set him off perhaps changing direction might help. At home if I see someone walking I'll get him to come to me and again do a stay. A good recall is always helpful (I practice his stays in the yard and it's a great distraction when people walk past).

 

[Pam]

I also have problems with Piper with skateboarders and running the fence line when someone is walking along the public sidewalk. On a walk if I see something coming towards us I'll put Piper into a down stay until they've passed, or turn around and go another way...we can always see what's coming before the dog can so if you see something that might set him off perhaps changing direction might help. At home if I see someone walking I'll get him to come to me and again do a stay. A good recall is always helpful (I practice his stays in the yard and it's a great distraction when people walk past).

I can see things before Beau, but he can hear things (like airplanes) before me. Problem is he will start up when he hears a plane and I won't even know it is coming yet. Re: walks, yes I will use the distract and treat strategy or change directions for skateboarders. I am just concerned because for months he was wonderful in the yard, and had always been really good at his walk in this park. It seemed to just come up out of the blue.

 

[Shelby's mom]

We have had the same issue with Shelby at out old home. Skateboards, bicycles, and especially baskeballls (or anyone playing ball). She would go over the top reacting and running the fence. And nothing we would do would break her attention. We lived in a very family friendly neighborhood where every home had a basketball net. We could not even get a break in our house because like you said she could hear it.

I am sorry to say but we were never able to get it 100% under control. We were just able to make it more manageable. I would take her outside and I would make sure she knew I had her favorite treats in hand. I would just reward her for coming to me when I called her off the distraction. Then I would try to extend the time she would stay quite before treating.

In the house I would give her a bully stick (her very favorite treat) and she would ignore the outside ruckus to chew.

On walks I always have treats in my pocket, and Shelby knows it. So when a bike etc comes towards us I make her focus on me with the treat and then treat her for behaving.

I know how very frustrating this is. We have since moved to a quite rural area with no kids and Shelby is a changed pup. She does still "chase" the airplanes and geese but at least I can now get her attention and call her off. I think with a lot of work and consistency you will be able to get through this.

 

[Pam]

I am happy to say Beau is back to behaving on walks--thank goodness. The odd thing always was that in stores, etc. he is the perfect gentleman. The last few days he has been back to walking nicely on a leash. The problem still is our yard, and might always be as he definitely has a problem with our pet birds (I think he had a fear reaction when he first came to our house) and he goes nuts with flying things in our yard. I do go out with treats, and I have been able to train him to run inside once he starts to calm down. So we will keep working. Don't know what got into him for a couple weeks: maybe a new fear period? But at least on walks, we have once again conquered.

 

[Caro]

Just a quick response as I'm unwell. Deska started chasing cars and bicycles around the age of 2. The vet behaviourist advised me it is common for a dog with a strong herding instinct not to develop this until they reach adulthood. Her advice - never, ever trust a dog with a strong desire to herd around the things they want to herd. At 11 and with arthritis Deska still cannot be offlead around bikes and car parks. The other suggestion she made was to find something he could herd.

Oh and she suggested getting on a bike myself and giving him a really good run (Tully wouldn't let him chase balls so I couldn't run him that way).

 

[Pam]

Caro,Hope you are feeling better. Beau has been really good lately around bikes and things--distance and treats, distance and treats seemed to work. I will never have him off lead in an area that is not somehow enclosed with bikes, etc around. Re: fence running in yard--I think he does that out of 1) boredom 2) protection for me as he seems to do it less with my husband in the yard and not at all if he is tired or distracted so....we will be working on that. He is just so darn smart. Seems to understand everything I say, so if I say "you are not to go chasing cars" first thing he does is run to chase cars. Oh Beau <sigh> In pet stores he is magnificent lately (except for the pesky cat that hissed and showed her claws to him: he barked back LOL)

Just hoping this phase of behavior sticks with no backsliding again.

 

[danisgoat]

Oreo spent some time trying to chase bicycles on walks and it did start around 18 months. It just took a lot of redirecting during walks and he finally stopped. Now he is a perfect gentleman on his walks and barely gives the bikes that go by a second look.