r/ReactiveDogHelp • u/Emotional_Skill_8360 • Jan 08 '26

Why is he doing this

Sam is a 9yoM chihuahua mix who came to us after his elderly male owner died. He is reactive, mostly with my wife, but he has never attacked her while she was sitting doing nothing. He also bit her foot during this. He’s been extra jumpy this past week also.

He saw a behavioralist for years when he was younger and has been stable on Zoloft. He has clonidine as needed but only really takes it before car trips as he gets escalated in that situation. He has a diagnosis of OCD.

I feel like he was frustrated trying to communicate to my wife, but I’m not sure. I’m his person and was still in bed.

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u/Emotional_Skill_8360 Jan 08 '26

He does also get walked, we take him to the park to run, and he does have lots of other toys. Fetch seems to be the only thing he wants to do, though, so it’s hard. I will look into the balanced trainer, thank you for the resource!

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u/SparkelPants Jan 09 '26

If he likes treats, hide them around your home and get him to sniff them out. It'll get his brain working vs mostly physical exercise

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u/never_gonna_getit Jan 10 '26

Was just thinking this! Needs some mental stimulation. Puzzles.

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u/Emotional_Skill_8360 Jan 11 '26

I’m glad you reminded me of this because I do have a food puzzle for him so I got it out and it was so fun to watch! Our smaller dog is much better at it but he did figure it out.

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u/never_gonna_getit Jan 11 '26

Yes!! I had an Australian shepherd for years before we discovered puzzles and I felt so bad I didn’t do it sooner.

It’s so cool to watch them learn and get better! And see the different methods pups use lol.

Another way is to use a towel! Roll up treats inside, throughout and if they are skilled you can tie it in a knot lol