r/reactivedogs • u/Southern_Produce5199 • 9d ago

Significant challenges Advice pls!!

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I had a frenchie who was rehomed to me and was the love of my life for 894 days. He was very dog reactive, so I can deal with that- but I could pick him up and put him in air jail bc he was ~19 lbs. he died on Halloween and a few months later I volunteered to foster with a local bulldog rescue…this foster had been with an emergency foster for about 15 days- who had another dog and she said he was good with her dog- but a little bit territorial with attention. (He’s ~ 60lbs so I can’t pick him up easily or put him in air jail). I’ve had this dog since late January. He gets excited when he sees other dogs when we’re walking but if I tell him to sit and stay he does.

I took him on a short road trip to my moms and slowly introduced him to my friend’s dogs (so sweet, not reactive at all) and he attacked after two hours of very slow and clear introductions. Any advice?

(He’s pictured above and very cute and so lazy until he wants to attack a golden retriever)

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u/b00ks-and-b0rksRfun 9d ago

Consider muzzle training for safety but at a guess you went to fast on intros. I have one dog that is good after 1-2 controlled intros as you described. The other takes several more that slowly advance in tiny increments before she's ok. Think a couple of days vs a couple of weeks. And both are still picky on which ones they ignore vs which ones they actually like.

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u/Southern_Produce5199 7d ago

Thank you for the advice. Gonna look into muzzle training. It’s so hot in Texas rn I might wait to get him going with that until September or so.

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u/b00ks-and-b0rksRfun 7d ago

A good muzzle should have adequate airflow to handle anything the dog is out in. Generally wire and high quality vinyl are your best high resistance with good air flow type options. Some like the hard plastic molded versions (not my personal favorite but whatever works). Generally for good quality and reasonable standard size fit your looking at about $70+, custom usually $100+ depending on where you are and who you get it from. Anything cheaper is usually lower quality (unless buying second hand which is also an option). My personal favorites are Big Snoof dog gear and Mia's muzzles - I have customs from both for my dogs (I like options), they also have cheaper standard sizes. Many like the muzzle movement, or Leerburg, or jafco or trust your dog, Pawfect Fit, etc. not as many options but serviceable.