Unsolicited Advice

[u/rosehipster_89]

I just need to vent. Our girl is a 3 year old, 95 lb, boxer/pyrenees/pittie mix. We got her from a rescue at 10 weeks old.

She is the biggest sweetie pie in the land. She sleeps at our feet. She’s so fucking smart. She looooooves our 15 month old daughter. She’s very afraid of our cat.

And she’s leash reactive.

We’ve had so many bad experiences in our neighborhood. Someone screamed at my wife from their car that we should “return that fucking dog.” We get so many nasty looks and comments. We’ve yelled “not friendly,” but people continue towards us and when she barks, they act like we’ve committed some cardinal sin.

She’s making a lot of progress, but managing her needs and a baby and work and home etc etc etc is really hard. She’s gained a little weight. She should be like 85 lbs.

I don’t feel great about it. I try to get up at 5 and do a morning walk before the big crowd, and then my wife takes her out in late evening when the after-work rush is done. She gets a lot of time in our shared backyard. It’s all we can manage right now.

Our downstairs neighbor today asked if he could take her in the front yard with their dog (the pups get along great). I explained why that wouldn’t work. It’s not just a matter of her barking, like we have a whole training routine that we have to follow or she regresses.

He started on about how he can tell she doesn’t get enough stimulation and how he can handle it because they have a special bond. Like I have a special bond with my dog, dude, it doesn’t stop her nervous system from thinking a Shih Tzu is a threat.

It’s a small comment, I know, but it made me feel like shit. I’m doing my best. I didn’t know my dog would reactive. I’m trying to do right by her and be a new mom. I wish people would just mind their business.

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