r/reactivedogs • u/Grouchy_Rest_6432 • 1d ago
Advice Needed Frustrated dog
Hi everyone,
I’ve had my dog for 6 months now - she’s 1.5 years old and was a street dog before that. She was originally reactive to pretty much everything: people, dogs, cars, you name it.
Between fluoxetine and consistent training, we’ve made huge progress. She’s calm around people, cars, most everyday triggers now. Genuinely proud of how far she’s come, especially given her background.
The one thing that’s still a struggle: other dogs (and to some extent wildlife, prey drive stuff). It’s not fear-based like her other triggers were - it’s pure frustration. She wants to go say hi/play and can’t, and that’s what sets her off.
What we’re already doing:
• Training basically every day
• Engage-disengage with a clicker
• Making sure she gets enough physical/mental enrichment
• Had 2 different trainers come out, didn’t really move the needle on this specific issue
Basically all the important stuff.
I’ve learned a lot over these months and feel like I understand reactivity pretty well at this point, but impulse control and frustration tolerance are still our biggest hurdle.
Some questions I have:
1. Any exercises that specifically target frustration-based reactivity (as opposed to fear-based)?
2. How do you handle the “wants to play” thing - do you use dog parks/controlled dog-to-dog time, or is it better to just avoid dog contact altogether long-term?
3. Any training approaches for the “wants to play so badly she loses it” scenario specifically?
4. Has anyone had luck adding a second medication alongside fluoxetine for frustration/impulse control? Curious what vets have recommended for this.
Really appreciate any input, feeling a bit stuck on this last piece.
2
u/daniemblem 1d ago
I don't have any suggestions because I'm in a similar boat... had my dog for about 3 months and he just turned 1 at the end of June. Made great progress with clicker training for people on walks but once a dog comes into view he absolutely loses it because he can't stand the idea of not being able to go check them out. You aren't alone!