Toby, the Reactive Rescue

I took Toby to the vet's Saturday to discuss his anxiety with her. She said that what I'm describing can't be properly treated by only medicating him when he's already anxious, that he'd need to be medicated continuously over a few months while he was trained, then gradually wean him off of the medication.

As an alternative she suggested I try a DAP collar on him, which I agreed to. Toby has made good progress so I don't know that think medicating him continuously is necessary anymore. Of course, I may change my mind the next time I'm sick and he's charging around the house barking at everything. :rolleyes2:

I'm taking a basic obedience class with him over again too.
 
Toby has gone completely backwards on walks

I'm so disappointed and frustrated, I'm pretty much starting over with him. More so with the situation and myself than with him. I realize he can't help it.

He's been doing GREAT at his obedience classes, he's gaining confidence, he's MUCH less reactive in the house and he's learned manners and his place in the house.

But the weather here has been really bad and coupled with my bad health, I haven't been walking them much.

When I do, they've become a handful. Toby and Sadie have both been VERY reactive and they feed off of each other. Sadie barks at every person that comes near us and Toby FREAKS over cars. The last walk I took them on I managed to get them under control by the end, but we pretty much start over again the next time and Toby in particular is so much worse, maybe more so than before.

Toby goes from an anxiety level of zero to a 10+ in the blink of an eye. He's still set off by larger vehicles like trucks and vans but he also loses it now if he just sees someone walking toward a car and opening the door. I've practiced starting the car with him near by and walking around it while its running but it doesn't help. A car slowly driving by us will set him off too, he seems to think its stalking us.

Now instead of just barking and lunging, he jumps up in the air (all 4 paws off the ground), bucks and spins like a horse. When I try to pull his head toward me to calm him down, he whips his head around trying to throw me off, then suddenly his whole body becomes stiff as he comes to his senses.

I had some success with him by making him heal and praising/rewarding him for listening before he gets into that state. I'm trying to concentrate on the positive but its hard when he's acting like a wild horse being broken. :(
 
Ok, You are describing Mr Leo and his love for cars, he is big time car chaser but we got it under decent control. Not that I will ever be able to trust him off leash near highway but we are able to have nice walks. Auto- check in is your answer. You might have to start Toby walk separately until you get it under control. I do it with both but Che is decent about cars.
And yeah, activity level means a great deal for pups, once they are frustrated fro low exercise level they tear your hands off during walks...
I am reposting from my other post
Leo has visual and auditory sensitivity and a brat to begin with so he is one tough cookie at his 7 month old. We resorting to all kinds of things, getting him used to sounds, sitting at far distance during agility runs, even scruff holds and and nose holding with encircled fingers "no bark". Leo is tough and can take it, so I am not afraid of offending his feelings.
I have read article above and yeah, I am following just about same guidelines... one VERY big exception is auto check in which I consider biggest achievement. Auto- check in is coined by Susanne Clothier and is being widely taught at foryourK9 group that I take classes at. It is similar to " look at me" command expect "LaM" is a trained behavior and really does not change dog or his reaction while auto check in is voluntarily given and offered as inner reaction and thus is stronger, more meaningful and is created out of relationship between human and animal.
You start somewhere in quiet location and away from distraction, give your pup about 2-3 feet of leash space and wait. Eventually your pup gets tired and looks at you "what are we doing?" jack pot with 5-15 small treats given one a time and keep going. Slowly increase distraction level or decrease distance. Keep going. It is relationship where dog, when new situation arises asks human "should I be worried?" and human tells "I've got it covered, relax" dialog...or at the height of situation "may I chase that squirrel?" before jerking leash out of your hand and dragging you with them...
Gotta tell that we can now walk the streets without Mr Leo lunging and barking at every car...
if you have any additional questions PM me but it does works wonders!
 
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Oh so sorry to hear that. Just don't give up. I can relate to this issue - well, more or less.
My dog has been leash-reactive to other dogs. I'm still not sure if it's because one german shepherd scared him off when he was little or if he's this little happy creature who gets frustrated when he can't run to meet other dogs. Whatever it is, we're doing much better these days. Though, relief for me is that he's only reactive on leash and whne off- leash, he's perfect pet.
I'm not sure if this is gonna be helpful, but I've read many many articles on this issue and I chose to clicker/reward-train him to make him feel okey again. First thing that is needed - discovering the treshold - distance when he's able to listen to me, watch me, do tricks etc. You start there, click&treat for good behavior and veeeery slowly move closer. Also what helped me was having him heel and watch me, ignoring the stuff that scares him (in my case dogs) while walkin' around them. Sounds simple, I know, but from all the people I'm well aware it's still not over and anything can slap him over the edge. BUT those rules, like first getting him reward while he calmly watches what scares him - from the big distance, then closer; teaching him concentrate on me when those situations come; good heel while watching me and also in our case teaching him not to pull in any situation.... those little things helped us. I hope you can get him to work w/ you,too.
Anyways, most importantly don't give up. I know how frustrating it can feel but w/ patience and time, it could get better. :yes:
 
SheltieChe said:
Ok, You are describing Mr Leo and his love for cars, he is big time car chaser but we got it under decent control. Not that I will ever be able to trust him off leash near highway but we are able to have nice walks. Auto- check in is your answer. You might have to start Toby walk separately until you get it under control. I do it with both but Che is decent about cars.
And yeah, activity level means a great deal for pups, once they are frustrated fro low exercise level they tear your hands off during walks...
I am reposting from my other post
Leo has visual and auditory sensitivity and a brat to begin with so he is one tough cookie at his 7 month old. We resorting to all kinds of things, getting him used to sounds, sitting at far distance during agility runs, even scruff holds and and nose holding with encircled fingers "no bark". Leo is tough and can take it, so I am not afraid of offending his feelings.
I have read article above and yeah, I am following just about same guidelines... one VERY big exception is auto check in which I consider biggest achievement. Auto- check in is coined by Susanne Clothier and is being widely taught at foryourK9 group that I take classes at. It is similar to " look at me" command expect "LaM" is a trained behavior and really does not change dog or his reaction while auto check in is voluntarily given and offered as inner reaction and thus is stronger, more meaningful and is created out of relationship between human and animal.
You start somewhere in quiet location and away from distraction, give your pup about 2-3 feet of leash space and wait. Eventually your pup gets tired and looks at you "what are we doing?" jack pot with 5-15 small treats given one a time and keep going. Slowly increase distraction level or decrease distance. Keep going. It is relationship where dog, when new situation arises asks human "should I be worried?" and human tells "I've got it covered, relax" dialog...or at the height of situation "may I chase that squirrel?" before jerking leash out of your hand and dragging you with them...
Gotta tell that we can now walk the streets without Mr Leo lunging and barking at every car...
if you have any additional questions PM me but it does works wonders!
Click to expand...

That's pretty much what I've already been doing with him. I have him conditioned so that when he's worried he was looking at me and reacting much less. But that's all gone now. :(
 
I think once you back on regular walking schedule you will be pleasantly surprised how fast Toby would pick up where you left...
also try initiating " Magic kibble game" where once you see/ hear car coming, put some kibble on the sidewalk, one, step couple feet away, oh here find another one, here you go another one... by the time car passed pup is happily busy redirected to another activity...
yes, it is a process...:rolleyes2:
 
SheltieChe said:
I think once you back on regular walking schedule you will be pleasantly surprised how fast Toby would pick up where you left...
also try initiating " Magic kibble game" where once you see/ hear car coming, put some kibble on the sidewalk, one, step couple feet away, oh here find another one, here you go another one... by the time car passed pup is happily busy redirected to another activity...
yes, it is a process...:rolleyes2:
Click to expand...

I sure hope so, I'm feeling very discouraged at the moment.

It can be a challenge getting treats in before he starts reacting. Once he starts, not treat is enough to bring him back down. :(
 
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