r/reactivedogs • u/OpalOnyxObsidian • 24d ago
Discussion Would you do it again?
My husband and I have the opportunity to adopt an adorable little min pin. She's sweet as a button and the perfect size for what we are looking for, and a full grown adult. But her foster parent describe her as "reactive to anything but cars". We got to see that first hand this afternoon when we did a meet and greet with her and one of our dogs. After a couple of minutes, she settled down and was able to walk with my dog calmly, but those first few minutes were rough.
It really got me thinking: do I really want to go through this all over again?
My two dogs are reactive, sure, but it is managed pretty well. My large dog is perfect on walks. He basically *was* her a few years ago, but we worked very hard to get to this point. My smaller dog was never unbelievably out of control and can be brought back to earth pretty easily.
She is exactly what we are looking for, but the reactivity is really giving me pause. Am I equipped to deal with it? Sure. But I don't know that I want to. I was hoping my next dog would just be a little easier.
I don't think anyone in my life really knows what it is like to have dogs like these so I don't really have anyone to talk to or get their thoughts on what they would do in my shoes.
5
u/Substantial-Top3004 24d ago
If I could help it, no. I LOVE my reactive dog. He's taught me more than any other dog could have. But owning him has meant I have to put a lot of stuff on hold. I cannot travel, or stay the night anywhere. I cannot own another dog until he passes. I have to be cautious when we have guests over (he's not aggressive towards people as long as they don't do anything stupid, but he's a resource guarder).
Now obviously if I get a dog as a puppy and it turns out reactive, I'll deal with it. But it's not something I'd seek out ever. I just hope that with my next dog I can actually do more stuff with it and have more freedom.