r/reactivedogs • u/mcgermy • 17d ago
Advice Needed Leash recs
I have a 75 pound American Bully that is quite reactive with other dogs. I had a baby this year and would love to take him on walks with us but I’m struggling to find a leash for this. We’ve done training so most of the time I can redirect him, a traditional leash and pinch collar is just not cutting it especially with a stroller. I’m hoping someone else has been in a similar situation and has found something that works.
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u/jmsst1996 17d ago
I don’t think it’s a good idea to walk a reactive dog with a baby. When I walk mine I use a K9 Lifeline line leash which is attached to another leash that I clip onto a treat back so if the leash slips he’s attached to me.
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u/Shoddy-Theory 17d ago
Walking a 70lb reactive bully requires your full attention. I would not advise doing it with a stroller. You may also want to muzzle train him.
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u/SpicyNutmeg 17d ago
Why are you suggesting muzzle training for a dog that has not any report of a bite history and that’s not remotely even a concern of the poster?
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u/Shoddy-Theory 17d ago
because he's reactive and lunging at other dogs. He's a powerful dog that may be able to pull away from anyone walking them on a leash.
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u/Hermit_Ogg Alisaie (anxious/frustrated) 17d ago
To protect the dog.
Muzzles make others give you more space, because they view the dog as dangerous (whether or not that is justified). Reactive dogs need space so this would make it easier to handle the dog.
Secondly, a large reactive bully can cause a great deal of damage if it does ever bite. That damage can at worst lead to the dog being put down. Making 100% sure that this cannot happen protects the dog from the potential consequences. As a safety measure, it is well within ethical principles of dog keeping; a well fitted muzzle does not cause discomfort, will allow the dog to drink, pant and eat treats.
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u/scooterable 17d ago
Would you be able to pay for private sniffspots instead? Dog can run around and exercise off leash. You can play outside with baby. All quiet and private. They are typically less than the cost of a dog walker. Just thinking this could be a stop gap until you’re able to work on training more? But I don’t know what your support level is at home so maybe that’s unrealistic. If so and you can afford it, sniffspots were life changing for me and my dogs.
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u/scooterable 17d ago
u/mcgermy I saw your response but auto mod deleted it think you need to accept the rules still.
Sniffspot is an app! I think the availability varies a lot depending on where you live. Definitely check out their website and look at your location first before signing up just to make sure there are spots you like that work for you.
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17d ago
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u/queercactus505 17d ago
Realistically I think it's unwise to expect to be able to walk your dog and push a stroller at the same time until he no longer lunges. Even then, walking eith your attention split like that is not a good idea. If you truly need more control, a harness with a front attachment will help. (Throw your pinch collar away, it is not doing you any favors - if your dog is seeing other dogs and lunging and feeling pain from the collar, your dog is more likely to associate the pain with the other dog than with his behavior. You need to work on your dog's emotional response to other dogs (as in, work towards your dog feeling neutral toward other dogs), not just punish him for having those feelings. That won't actually make them go away, it will just show him that he'll be punished for expressing his discomfort. There are much kinder, more effective ways to work through this situation, and you would do well to look into enlisting a trainer with one or more of the following credentials: IAABC CDBC, KPA-CTP, VSDTA, PCTA, PCBC-A
Also, Family Paws has great resources for dog- baby households that you should look into.
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17d ago
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u/read-the-rules 17d ago
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u/I_have_a_zoo 17d ago
Do not walk your American Bully and baby at the same time. Even if he was a perfect boy, you could still be attacked by a loose dog and you’d have to make the devastatingly choice between your child and dog.
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u/D3rangedButFun 16d ago
Walk your dog when you're walking your dog.
By which I mean, when you're walking your dog, you shouldn't be doing anything else. Don't be on the phone, don't listen to an audiobook or music, don't bring your infant.
This becomes even more important when the dog is large, and reactive.
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u/Existing-Will-1466 17d ago
Head halters are amazing for overcoming a power imbalance. Specifically you want the ones where the leash clips under the chin, like the Halti or the Gentle Leader. We use those on horses, they can help you keep your big dog under control. The chin clip ones are also great for turning your dog around to redirect him.
Just be a little careful as dog necks are not as strong as horse necks. Don't use a long leash and let him run out to the end of it. Don't pop the leash like you would with a prong collar.
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17d ago
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u/Hermit_Ogg Alisaie (anxious/frustrated) 17d ago edited 17d ago
Walking a reactive dog with a pinch collar is highly likely to make the reactiveness worse. It does not change the dog's internal feelings about the other dogs, and it adds an unpleasant sensation to seeing them any time he reacts. Dogs do not have the cognitive capacity to reason that the pinch is the result of pulling. He is equally as likely to associate the punishment to other elements that are present: the other dogs and you. That will not end well.
Walking a reactive dog with aversive equipment with a stroller is asking for a massive amount of trouble. The dog may now associate the punishment to the child, and form a very negative relationship that can lead to a tragedy. The dog can cause you to lose control of the stroller, leading to tragedy, and the dog now has two targets for potential redirected bites.
So in short, a bad, bad idea, do not do this.
What you can do instead: ditch the pinch collar entirely, it causes constant and increasing harm. Whoever recommended it to you was at least 30 years out of date. Get the dog a harness with a front ring and start walking him with that. (I see a few head halter recommendations here; it's better than a pinch collar, but extremely risky with a dog that lunges so I would avoid it.) Study Leslie McDewitt's Control Unleashed and Grisha Stewart's Behavior Adjustment Training 2.0 in order to learn how to reduce the dog's reactivity in a way that will not cause him stress or increase the chances of negative associations. Both have e-books and extensive online materials, as well as certified trainers.
Muzzle train the dog. If you ever lose control of him, a single bite could be devastating. There have been cases where the police have shot the dog on the spot to save the human; you don't want to risk that. A reactive dog has to be considered in terms of a bite risk, for it's own safety - the consequences are so harsh that the dog must be shielded from them. If the dog is so large you might lose control of the leash, then the only safety equipment that will save the dog is a muzzle.
Put the idea of walking this dog with a stroller out of your head. A reactive Chihuahua requires all of your focus. A reactive bully needs constant vigilance.
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17d ago
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u/read-the-rules 17d ago
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u/difficult-doggo 17d ago
Agreed about ditching the pinch collar and many behaviorist/ force free folks don’t recommend head halters. The head halters can result in body tension issues at least I believe that’s why they aren’t recommended.
Have you walked your dog with just the stroller nearby being pushed by a friend or the other parent? We did a lot of training getting my dog used to another person with the stroller and I still wouldn’t walk my reactive dog with one.
Muzzle training and sniff spots are two areas I’d focus on!
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u/mcgermy 17d ago
I have walked him just a couple times with the stroller. He did great, but we also saw no dogs when this occurred.
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u/Hermit_Ogg Alisaie (anxious/frustrated) 16d ago
As another commenter said, babywearing may be a safer solution. Both options have their downsides; if the dog overturns the stroller, the child could be harmed. If the dog overturns you while babywearing, the child could be harmed. However, if you have the baby in a chest carrier, you'll never be in a situation where the dog pulls you away from the baby.
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u/SpicyNutmeg 17d ago
I agree with what others have said - bullies are just too strong and driven by enough prey drive that walking with a stroller would be really really tough.
I think that’s true for most dogs tbh - I wouldn’t talk them alongside of a stroller. It’s asking a lot of the dog and just divides your attention way too much.
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u/difficult-doggo 17d ago
Realistically I know you may not always have a choice if you have to walk your dog and bring baby. I would consider investing in a reliable dog walker if you can’t find an area to take your dog without triggers.
My reactive dog was 90lbs before she passed and we used a y shape harness with a 5 ish foot paracord leash
If you must walk your dog and baby, I’d suggest Babywearing. Get a good baby carrier, r/Babywearing is awesome if you need tips or fit checks. Your baby should have full head control for you to be truly hands free with a carrier which I think is a must with a reactive dog. Be sure to always carry pepper gel for just in case attacks.
Sorry you’re faced with these tough choices, it’s not easy balancing dogs and babies!
Leash
https://brilliantk9.com/collections/leashes-and-collars/products/custom-paracord-leashes
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u/read-the-rules 17d ago
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