Reactive dog in a multi-dog household

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luiceur
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Joined: Sat Mar 26, 2016 11:08 am

Reactive dog in a multi-dog household

Post by luiceur »

We have 2 french bulldogs (6 and 4.5). The younger one is a reactive dog, meaning that in certain occasions he can react. Not always and it obviously depends on the distance to other dogs or people. We attend some reactive classes and we think he is improving, very very slowly though. But training in real life is hard with 2 dogs. I was wondering if anyone has had similar experiences or can give us some tips for training at home with 2 dogs.

Thanks!!!
JudyN
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Location: Dorset, UK
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Re: Reactive dog in a multi-dog household

Post by JudyN »

Could you give us a lot more details, please? What is the dogs' daily routine - walks (how long, on or off lead), feeding, play, exercise, etc? Also, does the reactive dog ever react to your other dog? Is it all dogs and all people he reacts to, or just some? Is he better/worse on or off lead, and how far away do you have to be for him not to react?

Also, can you describe exactly what happens in the training class and what they recommend for working on this the rest of the time?

Would it be possible to walk your dogs separately, at least some of the time?
Jasper, lurcher, born December 2009
luiceur
Posts: 3
Joined: Sat Mar 26, 2016 11:08 am

Re: Reactive dog in a multi-dog household

Post by luiceur »

Thank you for getting back to me. I will try to give a lot more details.

*Daily routine
8.00 Short walk in the morning
8.20 Breakfast. They both eat hypo-allergenic food for allergies and stomach problems reasons.
10.30 Dog-walker picks them up. They walk and socialise for about 2 hours.
14.00 Lunch
17.00 Walk and park play
19.00 Dinner
21.00 Last short walk before going to bed

*On/off leash
He is clearly a much predictable and social dog off the leash. Some fights have been started off leash though. On the leash it is clearly a challenge for him. Dogs walking near him are a problem. In enclosed spaces (restaurant,pub) things are even worse. Other dogs could also be around (on leash) and he gets very very frustrated. In the park when other dogs are off leash he also gets frustrated and starts eating grass compulsively.

*Other dog (in the household) relation
They do play and enjoy time together but if he is frustrated he easily attacks the other dog. For instance if the buzzer rings could be a fast trigger for a fight.

*reaction distance
3 or 4 meters?

*training classes
Training is with a group of other reactive dogs. Every dog has a barrier so they cannot see the other dog if they react or just for relaxing. Out of the barriers they get treats when they look each other but do not react and reducing distances progressively. Slow learning but I think it is okay for him.
Last edited by luiceur on Wed Mar 30, 2016 5:07 am, edited 2 times in total.
DogSupport
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Re: Reactive dog in a multi-dog household

Post by DogSupport »

Are both dogs same gender? Male or female?
luiceur
Posts: 3
Joined: Sat Mar 26, 2016 11:08 am

Re: Reactive dog in a multi-dog household

Post by luiceur »

Male (reactive ,4.5 years old), female (6 years old)
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