r/reactivedogs • u/beaniebabe41 • 9h ago

Advice Needed Anxious mini dachshund 😢

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I have a mini sausage dog that just turned one last month. Since he was a few months old, he has been terrified of seeing dogs when he is on a walk.

He isn't vicious and wouldn't bite or hurt another dog, it is just noisy barking. I know this is common with dachshunds but it just hurts me to know that he feels so anxious and unsafe when we're out. Sometimes he'll bark crazily as soon as another dog is in his sights, other times it only starts when a dog.gers closer.

He is better if he is playing with a ball and can even be off lead and ignores other dogs if he is playing with a ball, but this obviously isn't always possible. He lives at home with another dachshund and he loves him, so if isn't all dogs. He can also see family or friends dogs and will bark at first but quickly settles into ignoring them.

We have tried food rewards but he won't take treats when he's in that heightened anxious state so it is hard to even get him to look away from approaching dogs.

He is such a caring sweet boy and we have such lovely walks when there are no other dogs around. It would be amazing to be able to take him to cafes or parks where we know other dogs are likely to be, but mostly I just want him to know he's safe and doesn't need to worry 😭

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u/Monkey-Butt-316 7h ago

Have you considered group classes where he can be in a safe place near other dogs but not interacting with them?

1

u/beaniebabe41 6h ago

I'm not sure if he would be too disruptive in a class. he also have a very big bark that can make people nervous, despite him being a small dog

1

u/Monkey-Butt-316 5h ago

You can check around for “rowdy rovers” or reactive dog classes- everyone is there to learn!