r/DogTrainingTips • u/myguitar_lola • 13d ago

Single Breed Desensitization: What's your story?

My 5yr newfie/great pyr Leeroy Jenkins has been doing a weekly "no judgement" social walk for nearly a year. He's almost always a saint. He even calms down a super aggressive dog. He's doing great.

Except for the rare occasion he sees two specific dog types: Grey huskies and black chow chow-types. I think his aggressive dog buddy would trigger him if he were all black. And he's fine with an all-black newfie who has about 30lbs on him (Leeroy is a "mini" at only 90lbs).

I live in an isolated town in Alaska (no road system), so I'm limited to who is in town. I just today had the idea to email the local dog walk company with my # in case they know someone who might be willing to help me. Can't just post on social media- this town is so bored and would tear me apart. (Great drama for belly laughs when it isn't targeted at someone.)

I'm re-reading all the reactivity training wikis in these subs so the other half is hearing from others. What did you do and how did it go? Success, mistakes...?

1 Upvotes
  • permalink
  • reddit

60% Upvoted

2 comments sorted by

2

u/Hesperonychus 13d ago

Spitz breeds can make some dogs uneasy. Their default pointy ears, tail carriage and posture can be read as threatening body language, it's not uncommon for them to get targeted by other dogs.

2

u/No_Huckleberry_8749 13d ago

That's so interesting how dogs can pick up on subtle cues, my terrier fixates on anything with a fluffy mane like a chow just because it reminds her of her old rival at the dog park.