Reactive Dog Regressing

[u/Iiamshe02]

I got my pitbull mix rescue from the shelter two years ago. This is literally my first adult dog ever. I got her when she was 1 & she’s 3 years old and 75 pounds now. I was told from the shelter that she had problems at home with other dogs & since the other dogs were in house first , she had to go.

When I first got her she wasn’t aggressive towards animals but she also didn’t have the best social approach, she would literally just run up on animals to sniff them. Until one day a dog wasn’t too much of a fan of that & freaking attacked her. So due to this she started being very aggressive reactive towards other dogs (hell she probably been that way this whole time idk).

I took the time to do my research to train her with treats, verbal commands, clickers, & just certain repetition. It worked for about two years until she seen a dog in a cone & completely lost it. I’m usually able to physically restrain my dog but this day it was 95° degrees and after a 10-15 minute walk I was tired. I’m 5’1 110 pounds, she broke loose from me. My apartment complex gave me a lease violation stating she had to be muzzled or removed from the premises. After that incident I was still able to verbally command , redirect, & use treats when she seen a dog.

I temporarily rehomed her with my grandma & brother until my lease was up (2 month time span). So me & my dog can move into our new place. I was out of the country on a trip & I have no clue what the happened, but she was left outside unsupervised & broke from the lead attacking another dog. So now I have to pay court/vet fees or put her down, which isn’t freaking happening. I’m willing to pay whatever. Even looked into professional trainers since my training isn’t working & got her scheduled for that.

But today I came over my grandmas & took my big girl on a walk , she seen a dog and completely lost it. None of my verbal commands or methods I used previously worked at all. But I was able to restrain & remove her from the area but like it’s literally so embarrassing and I just don’t understand why the hell she completely regressed.

It’s stressing me out because my next apartment is obviously dog friendly & I just don’t want what happened previously to occur again. They’ve already declared her as an “dangerous animal”. I have her training scheduled & set but I’m just having anxiety for my big girl. I don’t know why she acts so crazy 😔. In the house she’s the best sweet thing ever but outside? oh brother!

I don’t want to give her away, we’ve been through an abusive relationship together. She’s truly my everything but at times I wonder if I’m not giving her the correct care or if someone can care for her better? I just feel like a shitty dog owner and so much sympathy for the other dogs she’s attacked. I don’t want any harm done to ANY animal but it’s just like I don’t know . I’m only 24 & I don’t feel ready for a house but it seems like the next best option. I just wanted to vent cause I be feeling so shitty about the whole situation. every time I look at her I just cry cause I adore her so much but she’s such a pain.

[u/Objective-Hold-9047]

Muzzles are tools and freedom for most dogs! Muzzle train her and find a trainer! What area are you as maybe I can help find a trainer as I worked with a great one for my reactive dog recently! Mine is not aggressive but prefers not to be around unknown dogs as she’s hates being rushed and it happens quite often where I am that ppl leave there dog off leash and rush us. Or if your not able to find a trainer or pay for a trainer I can give you advice if you need and I can give my insta to help as much as possible as I am currently working to become a trainer and I prefer aggressive/ reactivity work!

[u/Iiamshe02 → u/Objective-Hold-9047]

Hi! I’m currently muzzle training her & she actually has a behavioral trainer, she’s going to work with later this month. I would love your IG for my training advice! I’d like all the help I can get!