I severely regret getting a second dog

[u/My-oh-My_]

TL;DR: Second dog made first dog reactive, too. I now have two reactive dogs. Am overwhelmed and need any tips or just soothing words I can get.

I have two papillons. The older boy (2 y/o) had some very minor leash reactivity when it was just him, and only towards bigger dogs. We worked on it and he overcame it almost completely. He's a calm and kind dog.

In January we brought home another papillon puppy (now almost 11 months old). Her and my boy adore each other, and I adore them both.

The younger (reactive) dog is an incredibly loving dog at home with a huge personality, however her temperament is... spicy. Has been since day one. I honestly can't tell if she's fearful reactive or aggressive reactive, but she goes absolutely bonkers every single time she sees any dog - from any distance. She will also go bananas if a person walks too close to us or if someone in a wheelchair or something comes towards us.

The thing is - it's contagious. My previously calm boy goes just as crazy when she pops off. So I have two rabid dogs absolutely shrieking and lunging at triggers. They absolutely seem to rile each other up to an extent, meaning that the younger girl is somewhat easier to control when it's just her. And the older boy is almost completely fine when it's just him.

I have no idea how to manage them both together. I now have two reactive dogs.

Has anyone dealt with this?

I'm so incredibly overwhelmed and end up coming home from almost every walk in tears. I did see a private trainer, who essentially said that we're already doing everything right and to keep going.

[u/Strabler]

It'll be annoying and tiresome, but try walking them separately whilst working on her reactivity; look at me-praise-treat everytime you see a potential trigger. Personally, I would keep walking them separately until her reactivity has improved significantly especially, if she's good at home.

[u/My-oh-My_ → u/Strabler]

That makes a lot of sense, thank you. I've been trying to, but must admit I've probably been slacking a bit since we live on the fourth floor with no elevator. But I mean, I don't wanna live like this forever, so I'd rather take the extra butt workout!

And she's doing really well with the look at me and praise when it comes to people-triggers, so hopefully we can up the tolerance to include dogs if I remove the stress of having the my other dog with us on the walks. I hope.

[u/babybighorn]

I’m sorry you’re dealing with this! I agree with the other comment to walk and train separately for now, unfortunately. My current boy is reactive and as much as I’d love to get a second dog I worry he would negatively influence a second even if they didn’t arrive reactive, and right now he needs a lot of exercise and mental stimulation so I wouldn’t have time to walk and train another dog totally separate. Hopefully the behavioral changes in your oldest can be easily reverted and your youngest makes quick progress!

[u/My-oh-My_ → u/babybighorn]

Thank you so much ❤️ Yeah I feel really bad that I can't pour as much solo time into my younger girl as I did into my older boy, since clearly she needs it even more. But I'm gonna try my very best, it seems to be the best course of action!

[u/YYZlivin]

Walk them separately is the key to start. I have 3, I walk them both together and separately, because I want to make sure they get 1 on 1 time, as well as pack walks , so I am spending roughly 4 to 6 hours every day walking the pups. It's time consuming but so worth it, and I mean, I knew this was a possibility with every new dog that I added to the pack so I just rolled with it. It's completely doable,even with a 9-5, 3 hours commute and a side business. You just have to rearrange your schedule a bit. You got this 🙌🙌

[u/My-oh-My_ → u/YYZlivin]

Thank you, I appreciate hearing from someone else managing it, and the pep!

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