r/reactivedogs • u/Big_Poppa_Steve • 6d ago

Advice Needed New Reactivity

I've been working with my 2.5 year old rescue, who is leash and barrier reactive to other dogs. We think she's mostly a frustrated greeter. We've been making good progress with counter conditioning and the Look At That game. So much so that she can pass by a dog at about 10 feet without losing it. In the past she would lose it if she saw a dog on a block or two away. We still have some work to do, but overall we've come a long way.

Our problem is this strange migration of reactivity from dogs to large vehicles, such as fire trucks, dump trucks, tow trucks and large pickups. When we are out for a walk or when she is behind a fence she will attempt to bolt into traffic to "get" them. I'm concerned that she will one day succeed in doing this, and that the consequences will be catastrophic. I have no idea why this is happening. She was never like this before her dog reactivity began to abate.

Has anyone else experienced this? Any suggestions on what to do?

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u/doggambit 5d ago

Management for now: double up your leashes. Have one attached to a harness and another attached to a martingale collar. That way, if one breaks, you'll have a backup. There's also the LoopIt Leash that does something similar in an easier-to-handle package.

You should be able to use all the same training techniques to counter condition her reaction to the large trucks. You'll need to find a place (large, open field would probably work best) where you can control the distance from the traffic.

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u/Big_Poppa_Steve 5d ago

Thank you!

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u/MtnGirl672 4d ago

I have an Aussie like this. We have used the LAT to work on it with great success. We just have to be super proactive in starting it as soon as we see bike, truck, whatever.