Bruiser and Dog Reactive Behavior (6 1/2 mos.)

bruiser · 06-13-2011, 12:42 PM

Hi All-

Bruiser is 6 1/2 mos. old and he's been doing very well for the most part. He walks well on a leash, sits, stands, stays, focuses. He's seems self-confident and has been raised with a female black lab. He loves everyone and always wanted to play with other dogs in his puppy kindergarten class but he had a much higher level of play and the other dogs were a little intimidated by him. But he always liked everyone. About a month and half ago he started really lunging and barking at dogs just being very reactive, now we can hardly hold him when he's around other dogs like walking or in our current CGC class. We have been working with him:

-blocking him
-saying 'take a look'
-then getting in front of him again 'focus'
-'easy' and slow petting on the chest to sooth him

I also take him to the park where people walk and stand across the street so he doesn't feel threatened and train there for awhile.

He hasn't been neutered yet but I am thinking about the end of the month since maybe it's his maleness coming through.

At 6 1/2 months do you think he can get over this and what suggestions to you have?

Jax's Mom · 06-13-2011, 01:43 PM

When he's lunging and barking, is his leash tight?

bruiser · 06-13-2011, 01:50 PM

Only when he starts his behavior...I got a gentle lead which makes it easier to deal with him. But yes he is on a short lead.

Jax's Mom · 06-13-2011, 01:59 PM

The length of the lead doesn't particularly matter, it's what's coming down the leash... I'm dealing with this issue now and wish I figured this out when Jax was 6 months...
I tried a halti but it's not the best for working on this issue, other things, yes, just not this, sometimes I use the halti and prong with two leashes (or double ended leash) but the trick seems to be to always keep the leash loose. If he starts going in a direction that he shouldn't be (before the barking and lunging starts), try just quickly correcting (snapping) the prong (not dragging and controlling him with it) and letting it loose again immediately and repeat as his attention keeps going back to whatever is causing the behavior.

bruiser · 06-13-2011, 02:09 PM

Thank you so much...I will try this. It just seems it came out of nowhere and I guess I'm worried I won't be able to correct this behavior so he can be off lead hiking and skiing with me.

TheNamesNelson · 06-13-2011, 03:22 PM

I don't think its his "maleness" especially at 6.5 months. Hes young and as he develops mentally perhaps he is just trying to figure out how to behave. You said you try redirecting him, thats a good start. I don't think you should do the gentle petting when he behaves like this as it would reinforce the behavior. The thing I don't see you mentioning is discipline. I don't know if you are one of the NO DISCIPLINE type people, but every species needs discipline, dogs are no different. I don't mean beating or spanking your dog, but if he is lunging at the leash and barking you have to assert yourself, be loud and clear and let your dog know his behavior is not ok.

I have an intact male and haven't encountered any behavior problems associated with it. Also if a behavior becomes engrained neutering won't fix it. Its just poor behavior that needs corrected regardless of balls.

Lilie · 06-13-2011, 03:35 PM

The hardest part about re-directing his behavior is doing it BEFORE he becomes reactive. As soon as he alerts - as soon as you see him begin to focus on the dog- re-direct him. Don't wait until he reacts. Try to stop the behavior before it starts.

My dog has a solid "leave it". He is not dog reactive, but he will alert to one. As soon as he alerts, I'll tell him to "leave it!". He will redirect his attention to me. I don't allow him to be reactive.

wyominggrandma · 06-13-2011, 11:32 PM

You don't want to pet him during these outbreaks, he will associated petting with what he is doing and thinking you are okay with it.

bruiser · 06-14-2011, 02:32 PM

Thanks so much for the info...I won't be rubbing his chest anymore

I don't know how I forgot that. Doggie brain I guess...I do believe in discipline but just harsh discipline. We went out last night and he did slightly better but this is going to be a hard one. If you ever think of anything else just let me know.

06-13-2011, 12:42 PM	#1 (permalink)
bruiser Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Wyoming Posts: 278	Bruiser and Dog Reactive Behavior (6 1/2 mos.) Hi All- Bruiser is 6 1/2 mos. old and he's been doing very well for the most part. He walks well on a leash, sits, stands, stays, focuses. He's seems self-confident and has been raised with a female black lab. He loves everyone and always wanted to play with other dogs in his puppy kindergarten class but he had a much higher level of play and the other dogs were a little intimidated by him. But he always liked everyone. About a month and half ago he started really lunging and barking at dogs just being very reactive, now we can hardly hold him when he's around other dogs like walking or in our current CGC class. We have been working with him: -blocking him -saying 'take a look' -then getting in front of him again 'focus' -'easy' and slow petting on the chest to sooth him I also take him to the park where people walk and stand across the street so he doesn't feel threatened and train there for awhile. He hasn't been neutered yet but I am thinking about the end of the month since maybe it's his maleness coming through. At 6 1/2 months do you think he can get over this and what suggestions to you have?

06-13-2011, 03:35 PM	#7 (permalink)
Lilie Crowned Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: South Texas Posts: 6,262	The hardest part about re-directing his behavior is doing it BEFORE he becomes reactive. As soon as he alerts - as soon as you see him begin to focus on the dog- re-direct him. Don't wait until he reacts. Try to stop the behavior before it starts. My dog has a solid "leave it". He is not dog reactive, but he will alert to one. As soon as he alerts, I'll tell him to "leave it!". He will redirect his attention to me. I don't allow him to be reactive. __________________ Hondo Von Dopplet L Bauernhof "Hondo"- GSD Lilie's Tug McGraw "Tug" - Golden Retriever Maggie - Mini Dachshund (Rescue) Lonestar - Texas Blue Lacy Funyon, Ashe, Soot - Barn Cats Scooter /1/2 Arabian, Shadow, Katie / APHA

06-13-2011, 01:43 PM	#2 (permalink)
Jax's Mom Knighted Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada Posts: 2,227	When he's lunging and barking, is his leash tight?

06-13-2011, 01:50 PM	#3 (permalink)
bruiser Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Wyoming Posts: 278	Only when he starts his behavior...I got a gentle lead which makes it easier to deal with him. But yes he is on a short lead.

06-13-2011, 01:59 PM	#4 (permalink)
Jax's Mom Knighted Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada Posts: 2,227	The length of the lead doesn't particularly matter, it's what's coming down the leash... I'm dealing with this issue now and wish I figured this out when Jax was 6 months... I tried a halti but it's not the best for working on this issue, other things, yes, just not this, sometimes I use the halti and prong with two leashes (or double ended leash) but the trick seems to be to always keep the leash loose. If he starts going in a direction that he shouldn't be (before the barking and lunging starts), try just quickly correcting (snapping) the prong (not dragging and controlling him with it) and letting it loose again immediately and repeat as his attention keeps going back to whatever is causing the behavior.

06-13-2011, 02:09 PM	#5 (permalink)
bruiser Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Wyoming Posts: 278	Thank you so much...I will try this. It just seems it came out of nowhere and I guess I'm worried I won't be able to correct this behavior so he can be off lead hiking and skiing with me.

06-13-2011, 03:22 PM	#6 (permalink)
TheNamesNelson Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Michigan Posts: 204	I don't think its his "maleness" especially at 6.5 months. Hes young and as he develops mentally perhaps he is just trying to figure out how to behave. You said you try redirecting him, thats a good start. I don't think you should do the gentle petting when he behaves like this as it would reinforce the behavior. The thing I don't see you mentioning is discipline. I don't know if you are one of the NO DISCIPLINE type people, but every species needs discipline, dogs are no different. I don't mean beating or spanking your dog, but if he is lunging at the leash and barking you have to assert yourself, be loud and clear and let your dog know his behavior is not ok. I have an intact male and haven't encountered any behavior problems associated with it. Also if a behavior becomes engrained neutering won't fix it. Its just poor behavior that needs corrected regardless of balls.

06-13-2011, 11:32 PM	#8 (permalink)
wyominggrandma Master Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 983	You don't want to pet him during these outbreaks, he will associated petting with what he is doing and thinking you are okay with it.

06-14-2011, 02:32 PM	#9 (permalink)
bruiser Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Wyoming Posts: 278	Thanks so much for the info...I won't be rubbing his chest anymore I don't know how I forgot that. Doggie brain I guess...I do believe in discipline but just harsh discipline. We went out last night and he did slightly better but this is going to be a hard one. If you ever think of anything else just let me know.

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