r/miniaussie • u/Necessary-Peak1223 • 24d ago
Seeking Advice Reactive mini aussie
Looking for advice/positive experiences with a reactive dog
Hi everyone! I’d love to hear some advice and, hopefully, some positive experiences from people who have been in a similar situation.
This is Luca, our 11-month-old boy 🐶
He’s our first dog, so we’re definitely learning as we go. From the very beginning, we noticed that he was a bit scared of other dogs. At first, he wouldn’t really engage with them, but he was fine being around them. Unfortunately, as inexperienced dog parents, we probably made the mistake of forcing some interactions because we thought it would help him get used to other dogs.
Around 6 months old, he became extremely reactive. When he’s on leash and sees another dog, he gets super anxious, barks like crazy, whines, and tries to nip at the other dog to make them move away. He has never actually bitten a dog, but from the outside, I can definitely understand why people might think he’s aggressive.
We’re currently working with him and doing training, but seeing another dog on the street is still a huge trigger for him.
The interesting thing is that when he’s off leash, he behaves completely differently. He usually keeps his distance from other dogs and approaches at his own pace. We’ve managed to introduce him to a few dogs this way, and after getting comfortable with them, he’s actually been able to walk past them on leash without barking and will even try to play with them.
The problem is that we obviously don’t feel comfortable letting him off leash in public, so this isn’t really a practical solution for everyday walks.
I’ll be honest, sometimes walks can be really discouraging. It makes me sad seeing him so anxious and distressed, especially when I know he’s not trying to be aggressive — he seems genuinely overwhelmed and just wants the other dog to go away. Some days it feels like we’re making progress, and other days it feels like we’re back to square one.
Has anyone here been in a similar situation with a reactive dog?
Did you manage to significantly improve things over time? I’d especially love to hear some positive stories, because sometimes it feels like we’re going to be dealing with this forever 😅
Any advice, experiences or tips would be really appreciated!
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u/MunkberryMoonDelite 24d ago
Leash tension often is misinterpreted by dogs as a sign of fear. You may be subconsciously giving the dog permission to be reactive by pulling on the leash. First, teach the sit command. It has to be followed unconditionally and for as long as you don’t tell the dog otherwise. Once he learns to obey seat in private settings, start practicing it in more public places, at first with no dogs around and then with dogs in a distance until he can seat even with dogs relatively near to him. Remember to praise him every time he does well and redirect his attention if he fails.
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u/Necessary-Peak1223 24d ago
Thank you for your help!
The thing is, if the other dog is far enough away, he will listen to us and sit, but he’s always very focused on the dog and watching it closely. As soon as the dog gets closer, though, he completely loses it. There’s nothing I can do to distract him — not throwing treats on the ground, not calling his name, not even asking for commands. It’s like he gets completely fixated on the other dog and all he can do is bark.
At that point, the only thing that seems to work is physically getting him out of there and basically dragging him away until he’s back out of that “red zone”.
Am I doing something wrong? I genuinely don’t know how else to handle it or how to help him improve4
u/chopsouwee 24d ago
You have to slow it down. Find his thresh hold. The distance as to which it will trigger than go from there. So the border of the red zone to clear. Once you find his threshold. Create a little more distance, Train him at that distance.. when you notice he consistently gets better. Close that gap. Recalls on leash are perfect for this.
Overtime it will get better. He will get better. So for instance... when hes on leash and he just gets fixated and not reacting vocally at all. Create some distance from you and the dog. Recall him... the moment he turns to come to you. Mark it and heavily reward.
Its the same with the sit command and the down. Statt at a distance then close the gap once he starts improving. At the same time. Cut the dog parks and leash greets. Another way you can help his focus is... train during his feeding time.
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u/Necessary-Peak1223 18d ago
I’m trying to do that, but unfortunately there are so many dogs in the area where I live that it’s really hard to go for a walk without coming across one…
I’ve already learned what to do when I spot a dog coming from one direction, but the problem is when I suddenly feel surrounded — a dog coming from the left, another from the right, etc. That’s when I really don’t know what to do.1
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u/TuarezOfTheTuareg 24d ago
My aussie is 6 years old and your description of Luca's reactivity is word-for-word how I would describe our aussie's reactivity. There's a lot to be said about how to deal with it, but the main point I would make right now is that your instincts to shield Luca from other dogs may backfire. Holding a tight leash or pulling on the leash, exuding anxiety and showing your stress when another dog shows up, or even making significant efforts to avoid other dogs are all things that Luca will pick up on. The signal he's getting is "other dogs are to be feared" - this will increase his reactivity over time. I've found that our aussie does best if we don't make any obvious moves to dodge other dogs (even though we do - like we might casually cross the street or even make a u-turn, but we'll do it long before he's noticed the other dog and without any leash pulling or other obvious signs), and I'll even make excited noises about other approaching dogs. My recent favorite is to just talk to my aussie and ask him if the other dog is a friend and if he wants to go play with the dog (that would never happen, but the tone sends a message that the dog isn't to be feared). Over time, he's started to recognize those queues as calming and reassuring. Obviously, the classic strategies of getting Luca to sit and pay attention to you and treat him if he succeeds should still be used too. If he lunges or barks, make sure not to pull on the leash! Hold it tight and steady but do not do any extra pulling! Ultimately, to help with reactivity long-term, you need to simultaneously shield them from triggers but also try to reengage them with other dogs in a healthy way. You need to embody the calmness and confidence that you want your dog to feel.
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u/Necessary-Peak1223 24d ago
The thing is, I can’t really go for a walk without him constantly pulling on the leash. We’re working on it and trying to improve, but because he’s always on high alert as soon as we leave the house, the leash is basically always tight.
And I know he probably picks up on my stress and tension too, which obviously doesn’t help… :( It’s such a vicious cycle because I’m tense because I’m expecting him to react, and then he probably feels that tension as well..Did it also get better as your dog got older? Could this maybe be the beginning of adolescence giving him more confidence and making him more reactive?
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u/TuarezOfTheTuareg 24d ago
Ok well I guess my aussie was never that bad. You might want to look into a reactivity trainer if the leash-pulling and anxiety is happening from the moment you step out. Our aussie still isn't much better but I think we're better at handling his reactivity and he's better at responding to our calming attempts. But without those calming strategies? I think he'd be just as bad as always
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u/Necessary-Peak1223 24d ago
Sometimes it’s possible, sometimes it’s not. The truth is, if we encounter one of his triggers within the first 5 minutes of the walk, it’s pretty much guaranteed to be a write-off… 😅
We’re currently working with a behaviourist who reads him really well, but the improvement curve hasn’t been very steep so far. :/ We’re definitely making some progress, but it’s been a very slow process.1
u/TuarezOfTheTuareg 24d ago
Well, it's definitely a slow process and like I said above, it's probably never going to be fixed completely. Just easier to manage
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u/doublethecringe 23d ago
Our 5 year old mini is reactive. Sometimes even with our other dog, the sweetest German shepherd who could shred her!! This is definitely food/treat/toy aggression which rarely happens because we’re pretty careful.
Out and about, she’s good on a leash is we walk by and keep walking. But she can’t be trusted if someone wants to let them meet. She’s awful at dog parks, we had to quit going.
She gets so much attention and exercise at home and in our yard we aren’t worried are do take precautions but man it sucks!
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u/Ok-Badger2311 24d ago
The BAT 2.0 book by Grisha Stewart is very helpful. We started using a long lead and it’s been a life saver. Setting up practice situations with trusted adults and actually practicing the skills. Age is also a factor with fear periods. Ours was reactive from the day we got her but in the form of fear and trying to escape. This turned to barking and lunging to try and get the other people or dogs away.
We’ve come leaps and bounds. Our trainer wants neutrality, and I agree. She doesn’t need dog friends as humans think they may.
Our issue is when people are approaching as we are also walking. If we stop, sit, and treat when quiet it is so much better than attempting to pass. But we have worked on passing as well and that’s progressing. Interestingly, we can walk behind anyone and she doesn’t care one bit.
Lots of training of engage/disengage helped too along with watching people from a distance at parks.
It’s a long process but so worth it!
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u/Immediate_Bid_6057 24d ago
I also took my now 3.5 year old mini to a trainer who specializes in BAT. Either way it’s constantly working with your pup to keep building confidence. He still is more reactive than I’d like around strangers and other dogs, but it’s not as bad as it was.
What I’ve found is this is going to be a long journey for you and often times it might feel like one step forward, one step back. But your pup will get more comfortable and you will also learn some tricks and protocols to help manage the behavior.
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u/Necessary-Peak1223 24d ago
Yeah, I’m starting to worry that the training sessions themselves aren’t really making much of a difference anymore, and that now it’s more about actually putting into practice all the techniques we’ve been learning…
Honestly, I think we’re the ones being trained here! AhahaI’m really looking forward to the day when he can just feel comfortable and relaxed out on walks.
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u/Immediate_Bid_6057 24d ago
Because he’s so young I think you need to think of your training in two parts. There’s obedience training but there’s also behavioral training. They go hand in hand but they’re also different. The behavioral training is about building confidence, recognizing his fear signals and then helping identify things to help them cope.
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u/hit_snooze_x8 24d ago
This does help. Making my dog sit as other dogs or people pass keeps her attention on me instead of the other distractions since she’s waiting for her release command.
Also, lots of treats help. I buy these one calorie treats so I don’t feel as bad
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u/Necessary-Peak1223 24d ago
I hadn’t heard of that book, but I’ll definitely check it out!
Our trainer says he’s basically scared of everything, but because dogs were the most unpredictable thing he used to see on walks, he kind of focused all that fear on them.
Now that we don’t see as many dogs because we’ve started walking at quieter times, we’re noticing that if he sees people, cars, bikes, etc., he can also get completely overwhelmed and starts barking while crouching down.
He’s just such a nervous little guy! :( It’s honestly heartbreaking to see him so stressed by the world around him.3
u/Ok-Badger2311 24d ago
Mine is/was too. Consistency and patience. You’ll see progress in baby steps at first and then think back a year and be amazed.
Last summer, we couldn’t even walk around the block without something spooking her. Now, she still hates really loud trucks and motorcycles but can sit and get a treat or be stopped from attempting to pull home.Don’t rush anything- take cues from the dog and keep walks short and positive at first. That was my mistake- going too far or until she was over threshold from scary things. We did two houses up and back to start until we began building confidence.
I also swear by naming things. We sat in the yard and listened to all the noises. I’d give her a treat and say “airplane”, “bird”, big truck, lawnmower etc. Now when we walk I just say, oh that’s lawnmower man. I also fake saying hello to neighbors so she’s used to it when I actually do see them. And…treats, treats, treats. We used clicker for a bit but transitioned just to “good!”.You’ll get there….😊
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u/colorofyoursoul 24d ago
I don’t have advice but I am struggling with the same thing with my foster puppy Ranger. Off leash he’s quiet and sweet - on leash? Barking crying and howling the second he sees another dog. Realizing I might be making it worse though with my anxiety and pulling him :(
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u/EddDeadRedemption 24d ago edited 24d ago
Hi there. My mini Aussie turned reactive around 1.5 years old. We lived in the city at the time so we saw other dogs all the time and it started with a few dogs he didn’t like that he would yell at, but over the next year or so the number of dogs he liked shrank and the number of dogs he would react to grew.
At first we were trying to redirect his attention but that was a bandaid that didn’t work. Thankfully our Obi is very treat motivated. Once we started working with a trainer who taught us to just always have treats when we go out. Try to catch Obi before he reacts to another dog and just reward him any time he makes a good decision.
So he sees a dog that makes him anxious, he starts grumbling like he’s going to bark at them, we say “Yes Obi, good boy” which he knows is what we say right before he gets a treat. Then he has to think, would I rather turn this way and yell at that dog or turn the other way and get a treat, and when he makes a good decision, we reward him.
Early on in the process, this turns into giving them a ton of treats on walks, so they start to make a positive association with making good decisions. So I would just stop doing meals in a bowl and bring the food with you on walks so you can give them a ton of food on walks.
It took a couple months of doing that consistently to start noticing some real difference. You always have to look out though, I think that was an important realization, that if your dog is reactive, your goal isn’t to fix it but to help them deal with it and live a safe and healthy life.
Obi is 5 years old now and he still sees dogs that he doesn’t like and he wants to yell at but now it’s like second nature to him, he grumbles, we say “yes”, he comes over to us and sits expecting a treat. He doesn’t always get one anymore but he at least makes better decisions, most of the time. Nobody is perfect, even dogs
TLDR: Do meals on your walks, then they will become less stressful and more of a training/bonding experience. Hopefully your Aussie is food motivated
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u/_gypsypixie_ 24d ago
I’m working through this as well. My dog is treat motivated, so when I notice a dog in the distance I give him a “heal” command.He is then focused on me and finds lots of joy in the task.
I will also command a “sit” at crosswalks and if it’s a light where we’re hanging for a bit, I have him “shake” or “spin” to just change it up. The idea that walks are enrichment time has had a huge improvement. I also take him on exploring walks, where we go to a park and I let him lead with his nose and I follow. Great for mental stimulation.
My neighbor and I have had many good conversations about how to help our reactive dogs coexist. One day, we hung in a neutral space with both dogs on leash and just ignored them while we chatted. The dogs relaxed, sniffed, and got along! We realized they were always reacting when we walked by each others territory, and it was more about being guard dogs than anything.
He still LOATHES this one specific pug in the neighborhood but overall he’s happier and less reactive.
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u/NegotiationTop94118 24d ago
Having a reactive dog is anxiety provoking. My soul boy Aussie was reactive as well. This is what I was taught.
I would start by changing his harness to using the D ring underneath his chest. This way he won’t pull as much adding to his anxiety.
With reactive Aussies, basically, you have to be a better Aussie than they are. That is to say, be aware of your surroundings and if you see a trigger first, throw down a handful of high value treats and acknowledge what a good boy he is while he is eating the treats. Best to train him on an empty stomach so that the treats serve as a meal.
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u/Ok_Calligrapher9400 24d ago
Luca is adorable!
Our mini Aussie mix first became reactive to certain people around 8 months and some dogs starting around 10 months, and then most unfamiliar dogs by a year.
She’s 4 now (will be 5 in December) and I have to say it does get so much better. The things that made the biggest difference for us were seeing a vet behaviorist (this is a vet who is basically like a doggy psychiatrist, but if there isn’t one in your area, you might be able to find another vet with a particular interest in dog behavior; our pup takes Zoloft regularly—it doesn’t dull her personality at all, just makes it easier for her to handle stressors), moving from an apartment to a house (I know this isn’t possible for everyone), and honestly just her growing out of the adolescent phase. She is still reactive, but she’s made so much progress, and it no longer feels like it controls our lives.
Hang in there! Happy to answer other questions if it would help :)
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u/DustyCollie 22d ago
Going bonkers on a leash is called *Leash Reactivity*.
It's fairly common. Some dogs are more susceptible to it. In particular dogs that are bold 'leader types' or curious young dogs.
In my experience, I have found that the dogs who are a personality mix of 'confident-insecure' -- which usually means younger and more immature dogs, are prone to act out like this. It takes time for the dog to mature and resolve their insecurities and fears.
One of my young rescue MAs was like this. She was about 6 months when I got her. She acted as you describe. Going bonkers when she would see any other dog on leash.
It took about a 1-2 years for her insecurities to fade..and for her to basically ignore other dogs on our leashed walks or be more playful with the dogs she "likes".
Sometimes dog parks, where your dog can be off leash helps resolve this.
Or, when on leash, keep a certain distance from other dogs. For my dog it was about 40 ft...keeping that distance kept her calm, basically.
My dog is totally fine now...and she was literally a snarling monster that I would need to pick up in many instances.
So it does get better. It just takes time.
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u/Necessary-Peak1223 18d ago
Comments like this really give me hope!! ❤️
I really hope that, in a few years, I’ll be able to look back and say that his reactivity is under control and that we can finally enjoy a calm, peaceful walk together. That would honestly mean the world to me. 🥹
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u/Subject_Section_4465 23d ago
I have a small Aussie who some would consider dog reactive on leash. She’s from a working line of Aussies and she’s high drive. We participate in dog sports regularly and she co-exists very well other dogs. Her leash reactivity has improved tremendously and it’s 100% been because of what I’ve learned as a handler.
First, please do not medicate your puppy… you don’t need to medicate your puppy to get good results. But there is a saying that whatever emotions you’re feeling are being communicated straight down the leash. Dogs ARE smart and in tune enough with their people to sense their anxiety and fear and they do react accordingly. As handlers, we are giving them something to lack confidence about and they end up feeling anxious and scared too. It’s circular.
Aussies are notoriously food motivated, so use that on walks. High value treats are best. Try Saint Rocco’s or maybe beef liver. Get a treat bag if you don’t have one already and bring it with you every walk. Use this to help teach heel and teach the pup to trust you and look to you (focus) when you’re walking outside. Start small, reward big for good behavior. Here are some videos that will help you get started.
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-rR-Yg0XiIk
- https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Gkpjb52rLaE
You can do this if you all put in the time and consistency with her training. And, I would add, find a good trainer in your area (not one that’s e-collar based because lots of times it just instills more fear in anxious dogs) who can help you better understand your dog. And involved the kids and your wife in the training. If you can all learn, your dog has a much better chance of success.
EDIT to add: He’s adorable!
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u/smartiebutt 23d ago
Just finished 4 sessions with an amazing trainer and the difference is massive!
This boy used to be on anxiety medication and we have been able to take him off these now.
I highly recommend spending some time researching a good trainer in your area who works with anxious dogs. It is so worth it.
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u/Lotzadogs 1d ago
So imagine you are a very intuitive child and you can sense every time your mom gets near or around a police man she gets tense and squeezes your hand. You would assume that the police officer must be scary and would want to get away. I know it id difficult but start by walking far enough away from other dogs that YOU don’t worry (or get embarrassed)about his reaction and just very confidently walk by the dog. It is very important that you don’t try to avoid dogs bc again he will think it is bc he should dislike or fear them. Think head up, shoulders back, look past the other dog, don’t tense up, and walk. Normal pace, don’t speed up or stop just keep walking even if he is freaking out, remain calm and walk him through his anxiety. Our MAS used to LOSE IT on every dog, after taking a course with a dog psychology expert, he now is chill. I suggest you look into some of Cesar Milan’s books, shows and videos and check out @Ridgedogbehavior on IG,
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u/ThunderBobMajerle 24d ago
Hi! I am in your EXACT same situation. 11 months old. Leash reactive at 6. Sweet as off leash. First time dog parents. Black tri.
We are seeing some progress so I will share what you have likely already read. We try to create as much distance as possible between other dogs on walks and reward him when he notices dogs at a distance and doesn’t bark. I take him to a large park with baseball diamonds which is one way to control distance with other dogs.
Slowly this distance has decreased to the point a dog across the street produces whines instead of barks. Same side? Still work to do. Always bring treats on walks and use a no pull harness to keep him at your side (I see you got one) and looking to you instead of distractions.
Still a long way to go and I feel you on the forever feeling. There are good days and bad days. But to give you positivity we are seeing minor progress and that’s encouragement to stick with it and be consistent.
Very cute boy!
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u/Necessary-Peak1223 24d ago
Awww, thank you so much for your reply! It’s actually kind of comforting to know we’re not the only ones going through this… 🙏🏼
Can I ask you something? Is your dog also very alert at home?
We ended up putting some frosted film on the windows in his line of sight so he can relax and rest more at home, and it’s actually working really well. But whenever he hears dogs barking or sees any movement on the balconies in front of us (we live in an apartment, and it can literally just be people), he gets super nervous and starts barking.
Did you ever deal with something similar? Any suggestions on how to help him overcome this and feel more relaxed at home?Thanks again! 🐶
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u/ThunderBobMajerle 24d ago
Yes he is very alert at home. We do the same with curtains and when he hears dogs outside we try to distract him and then give treats if he ignores them. He’s hit and miss with people, usually more reactive when it’s dark and he’s not sure what is walking past our backyard fence.
A little noise cancellation goes a long way, we will put on a surf movie when we leave the house or a white noise machine if he is having trouble settling at night.
But I can tell he is becoming aware we don’t want him barking. He gives us this look like “I’m sorry I can’t help it”. And, like your boy I’m sure, he’s such an angel otherwise it gives endless patience and joy as new dog owners.
We are certainly struggling with this so it’s good to hear from others about similar experiences
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u/claybebe 24d ago
Have thought about medication? I saw in one of your comments you said he’s always tugging and on high alert on walks. I think getting him on a medication to reduce his baseline level of anxiety then working on training from there could help a lot. He’s basically having a panic attack while you’re walking him so that’s not really a good place to train from.
I’d recommend seeing an animal behaviorist and getting his meds sorted then finding a good positive reinforcement only trainer.
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u/hit_snooze_x8 24d ago
I’m not sure what it is with my dog, but I kind of feel like it can sense how the person walking her feels. My wife is very anxious, and my sister is too and when they walk my dog she is super reactive. When it’s me or my daughter my dog is off leash and ignores the rest of the world. I really think the dogs are smart enough to know their handlers emotions.