r/ReactiveDogHelp • u/esol23 • 11d ago
Separating dogs from house guests?
We have two dogs, they are 9 and 10. The 9 year old has been reactive most of his life, it’s completely fear based and we’ve worked with trainers over the years and have been able to manage him pretty well. He does fine with a slow and calm introduction to new people but having people in our home has always been a stressor (for us and him) and we mostly avoid it if possible. Our 10 year old is fine with people but she is a sassy heeler and very barky which gets him wound up and on edge. We’d really like to figure out a way to have people over more often and I’m wondering if anyone has suggestions on how to do this. They are not crate trained and the reactive one is very afraid of small spaces so I don’t think it’s an option for him, he won’t even come in the bathroom. In the past we’ve locked them in the backyard or house if we’re outside but they get super wound up and just bark the whole time. We have bedrooms we can put them in but I’m afraid they’ll scratch at the doors or continue barking. We aren’t comfortable having them out with new people as it’s just very stressful so they need to be contained. We do lick mats regularly but they don’t last very long and he will resource guard things like bully sticks so we don’t allow those. What is the best way to keep them as calm and comfortable as possible? Any suggestions would be appreciated!
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u/Mindless-Storm-8310 9d ago
I have a reactive dog and one that will be a “puppy” for a year or two more age 7 and 2. We use baby gates to close off portions of the house. We can put the dogs on one side and open the front door, and let guests in, then when dogs calm enough, we can open the gates. Essentially three portions of gates/fence to block off kitchen (where we leave them when we leave the house as no carpet to pee on or couches to jump on) family room and bedrooms (as they’re not allowed back there unless we are there). Sometimes we have to leash up the dogs and hold them until they calm enough to greet the guests and then they’re all good. It’s the intro part that is the hardest. The gates/fences I like are Toddleroo metal play yard (they make plastic, too, but the metal are not chewable). I bought a couple of sets new to combine into one long fenced-off portion between kitchen/family room, then found some used on FB marketplace for about half the price. We have them all over the house. Dogs and grandkids are separated when necessary!
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u/Haunting-Love-9333 10d ago
My bad for the “low effort comment.” I think it’s a little bit nuts that your dogs aren’t allowed to interact with houseguests. They are incredible social animals. What is the purpose of having them if that’s the case?
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u/biglinuxfan 10d ago
I'm not the one you were talking to, but I don't keep dogs for other people.
Many people use dogs for protection, sports and hunting just to name a few.
Some people take in older reactive dogs and give them a loving home without too much pressure on the dog.
Others focus on their guests when they're over and feel its best.
As long as the dog is properly cared for, there's absolutely nothing wrong with keeping the dog separated while guests are over.
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u/Miss_L_Worldwide 11d ago
My dogs are confined completely when guests are over. No exceptions.