Has there been an increase in reactive dogs?

[Dopeydapple]

Just musing really, I seem to get more requests from clients these days to walk dogs that have "issues" with other dogs, see more and more Facebook posts about dogs being attacked and an abundance of adverts / tutorials / training shows on how to deal with aggressive dogs and it got me wondering if there is more of them these days or just more reporting due to social media? If there are more is that due to indiscriminate breeding putting profit above breeding from good tempered and healthy dogs? Is it the rise of dog trainers that really don't have enough experience but take on these clients anyway? Is it more people having dogs because they want one even though that one isn't suitable for their lifestyle? Or something else? Thoughts....

 

[Clodagh]

Both bad breeding and people who work full time and have no time to socialise a dog ending up with ones that have seen nothing, cannot speak dog, and do not know how to function in a social setting.

 

[{97702}]

Back yard breeders, the "I want it NOW" syndrome, and idiot owners.... it has nothing to do with whether they work full time or not, it has everything to do with ignorant people buying breeds that are too much for them.....

 

[splashgirl45]

people who buy a dog on a whim without thought as to how they will manage. also first time owners who dont know how to socialise a puppy and therefore end up with a reactive ,unhappy dog that is never let off the lead...and the so called designer breeds especially when 2 highly strung types are produced without thinking about what their temperament will be and advertising them as family dogs when they really need experienced owners...

 

[kimberleigh]

Ive noticed a big increase in the "pet" breeds having issues nowadays - dogs that in the past people would never have problems with!

Im thinking a huge amount of that can be put down to general lack of common sense but also the rise in anthropomorphism of animals in general but dogs in particular

 

[CorvusCorax]

Rubbish breeding (weak nerves, weak temperament - sorry 'he's perfect in the house' doesn't cut it if it can't cope with loud noises and people/other dogs walking past...) poor choices and years of the animal rights lobby very subtly training people to think that correcting a dog in any way is somehow cruel.

See the woman in the park with two huge mastiff/bull types pushing a pram. Dogs on harnesses.
Both were rearing up on their hind legs barking and slowly dragging owner and pram towards me and my dogs as she cried 'no...no...no'.

Years ago, people wouldn't have been able to buy dogs like that, and if they did, not two of the same age. And they wouldn't have walked two at a time before a pram. And if they did, they would have used power steering. And if that hadn't worked, they'd have been told very strongly to cut it out, or else.
Which would have been less stressful for all involved? Mum, baby, dogs, me and mine, other walkers?

 

[Kaylum]

I hate the buy a pup to be brought up with a baby thing and the dog goes when they dont have time. No socialisation for the dog and it ends up in kennels as reactive.

 

[Cinnamontoast]

Had some crackers this weekend. We took the B boys to the woods, both very sociable but I recalled Bear because a lady had a massive lab on the lead, it’s polite and safer, IMO to heel past. She had a huge problem trying to hold him and was being dragged so we took a different path quickly.

Today, we went to the field where there are tennis courts. In the courts was a couple plus 2 huge mastiffs, one muzzled. A pair of kids was outside waiting to go in while the couple played with their dogs (no dogs allowed in there, obviously :rolleyes3: )

An adult couple wanted to go in and patiently waited while the guy tried to catch his muzzled dog who was galloping up and down barking furiously at Brig who was wandering round, closely followed by me. Thank god the tennis players had closed the gate properly behind them! Eventually, I had to put Brig on the lead and take him away so this guy could catch his dog. He was dragged off the court!

Meanwhile, his wife had the other mastiff collapsed on the ground, pouring water over its nose, it couldn’t get up. I despair. It was hot here today.

I agree, lack of socialisation is a major part. We’re guilty too, but I think Zak would have been similar regardless. Thing is, we keep him and other dogs safe, he won’t go for other dogs unless they bound up to him.

Over-socialisation is almost as bad, I find. Puppy parties mean young dogs think it’s fine to approach any other dog and have a rough and tumble. Odd, but many adult dogs really don’t like that!

 

[Dopeydapple]

Over-socialisation is almost as bad, I find. Puppy parties mean young dogs think it’s fine to approach any other dog and have a rough and tumble. Odd, but many adult dogs really don’t like that!

We took our 2 to a family bbq over the Bank Holiday and SIL brought her 15 week old lab puppy, the amount of "experts" in this one group of extended family plus the advice she had already been given was crazy, the only we could agree on in the room was not to do group puppy classes as there tends to be more bad ones than good ones who see socialising as a free for all. The pup is extremely bouncy and has no off switch bless him which one of mine thought was great for the first few hours then just wanted peace and quiet so growled or barked at him a few times to send him away, I think he thought it was a game as he ran off then bounced on her from a different direction lol. The other one whose a bit more boring with other dogs got his tail groomed as the pup sat behind him just pawing away at his tail (he's a fluffy malamute so lots of fur came out as he did this), pup got ignored for quite a while then eventually by boy turned around and barked at him to get off, now neither of my dogs chased the pup away or tried to bite him yet one of the "experts" who breeds jrts said we should put ours away before they hurt the pup!

 

[meleeka]

I think there’s been an increase in dog owning generally and people seem to think it’s ok to have a dog no matter what their circumstances these days. Our local parks are crowded with dogs, some badly behaved and some not. I’m currently looking after someone’s Springer who rarely walks it but thinks it’s ok bucaise they throw the ball in the garden a lot during the day. Poor dog doesn’t know what’s hit it currently as it’s been walked at least twice a day and has calmed down so much the owner is going to think it’s ill! This person would have probably been ok with handbag dog but didn’t consider how much mental stimulation a Springer would need.

 

[NiceNeverNaughty]

cinnamontoast i couldn't agree more!

Our vets contacted us to ask if the spanner will be going to their puppy parties. It was a resounding no.
He WILL be going to puppy classes - carefully chosen - because mini me wants to be able to train him and he is his dog really. However this idea of letting a bundle of puppies 'socialise' by tumbling about together in a village hall is idiotic. This isn't socialising, it's teaching young puppies that it is ok to run off and speak to every other dog / person it sees = lots of high reward/energy fun and excitement! The classes mini is going to take his pup to work on getting the puppy focused on the owner while being polite around others.

Also, anyone can set up as a dog trainer and run classes and often will little or no real understanding of how dogs learn. One of my other pet hates is puppy class clicker training. I was handed a clicker to use with a 12 week old pup (a while back now) in a hall with 7 other dogs and their families. None of whom had been introduced to a clicker, or conditioned to respond to one. Every owner and their ruddy kids had been given a clicker and a pot of treats and the hall echoed with the gunfire of constant clicking and a group of very confused and over stimulated puppies. Of course training methods have advanced over the years and ideas have changed since i began training dogs 20 odd years ago (and clicker training has it's place when done correctly) but I do think that there is now an overly fluffy and nice approach , which many of these so-called trainers latch onto, set up a dog training school with fancy posters and a fb page with lots of colourful pictures of dogs on funky cushions and playing in tunnels. Unsuspecting new owners sign up and come out after 8 weeks with a young dog who can sit on a proprioception mat and play games with gym balls and hoops, they come pulling and panting into the hall every week hyper with the anticipation of being allowed to rush up and speak to their friends... and leave after 8 weeks with a pretty graduation certificate. I used to take my puppy classes outside and train them on dummy 'walks', train them to pass other dogs and focus on the owner, recall in different environments and with distractions, but I guess that's boring nowadays to many.

I also feel there is a trend in dog owners that follows on from the younger generation we are seeing now who will not take any responsibility for their actions and those of their kids. If a parent will send their completely unruly child to school at age 5 with absolutely no manners or boundaries, unable to dress themselves, use cutlery or independently go to the toilet; if they accept no responsibility for the behaviour of their kids then what hope is their for the poor puppy that is added to the mix. These are the ones who pass you by, shrugging and claiming they don't see what the problem is when their off lead dog has run riot and jumped on every other dog on the lead in the vicinity, or who chase livestock.

 

[Pearlsasinger]

There does seem to be an increase of the number of people keeping working dogs as pets, without ensuring that they get the activity and mental stimulation that were bred for.

As for socialising puppies: we were returning home with our Rotts the other day, walking on a 40mph road without a pavement, facing what little traffic there was when a young woman with a young Labrador came towards us, allowing the dog to pull her nearer and nearer to us. She did ask if the girls were friendly - and they are but we told her firmly that they are not allowed to play at the side of the road. She really struggled to get the Lab to listen to her and continue on her walk. In the end we left her to it. I can only imagine that she had 'socialised' her Lab by going to inappropriate 'puppy parties'.
We socialised the Rotties by taking them to Bramham as soon as they were allowed out after their vaccs and then to a number of other agricultural shows. They will walk past any other dog.

 

[MurphysMinder]

I really think the new "fluffy" training methods have a lot to do with the number of badly behaved dogs around.
I recently joined a GSD fb group and some of the so called experts on there are pathetic. I read 2 posts this morning regarding puppy behaviour, first was someone asking for collar advice for a youngster that was pulling. A few sensible people suggested a half check collar, which was greeted with horror, as that would hurt the poor darling, had to be a harness, and maybe a halti too if the pulling was too bad. One poor soul suggested a check collar and had her post removed ! Then another about a puppy play biting, sensible advice about offering a toy instead which I have no problem with. However, the suggestion of a loud No was considered wrong because it would frighten the pup, and as for getting the pup by the scruff, good heavens no, poor little lamb. I couldn't resist and had to comment that if a pup was frightened by someone saying No loudly it must have a pretty poor temperament ! I have probably been booted now, if not I suspect I may have to leave for the sake of my blood pressure.

 

[CorvusCorax]

Great post Never Ever. And totally agree MM.

I have left pretty much all training and rescue groups. I think the final straw was seeing a pile-on visited on someone who innocently suggested a rattle bottle for what sounded like a very bold doberman throwing his weight around at the front door. Not scared of an 'intruder' coming to the house but would have clearly been traumatised by some pebbles being shaken.
I'm not commenting on the worth of public forums where people may or may not give terrible advice unseen, by the way, just the sentiment

 

[paddy555]

I really think the new "fluffy" training methods have a lot to do with the number of badly behaved dogs around.
I recently joined a GSD fb group and some of the so called experts on there are pathetic. I read 2 posts this morning regarding puppy behaviour, first was someone asking for collar advice for a youngster that was pulling. A few sensible people suggested a half check collar, which was greeted with horror, as that would hurt the poor darling, had to be a harness, and maybe a halti too if the pulling was too bad. One poor soul suggested a check collar and had her post removed ! Then another about a puppy play biting, sensible advice about offering a toy instead which I have no problem with. However, the suggestion of a loud No was considered wrong because it would frighten the pup, and as for getting the pup by the scruff, good heavens no, poor little lamb. I couldn't resist and had to comment that if a pup was frightened by someone saying No loudly it must have a pretty poor temperament ! I have probably been booted now, if not I suspect I may have to leave for the sake of my blood pressure.

I remember going to training classes 40 years ago. They were for GSDs and run by the owner of a GSD stud. About 20 of us marched around in circles with the dogs on full choke chains and there didn't seem to be any problems. The dogs walked to heel, no one tried to fight each other and I don't remember any "fluffy owners" . At no stage did we let 20 GSD pups off their leads to play with each other. We did as we were told and so did the dogs.

 

[meleeka]

A flip side of the I do think that training methods that aren’t “fluffy” do more harm than good sometimes. I’ve seen too many clueless owners think that it’s fine to inflict pain on their dogs because they haven’t been bothered to learn how to correctly train it and don’t see things logically. There’s one near me. Far from training their Husky pup to be sociable and polite, they are teaching it to be wary of other dogs as each time it sees one it gets launched into the air by its choke chain. They don’t understand that hollering at it and pinning it to the ground really isn’t going to teach it to recall either They’ve been to training classes and they are convinced that they are doing everything correctly (but the dog is just naughty apparently). Another example of somebody having a breed which shouldn’t be sold to novice owners and an old school trainer who thinks that if you dominate a dog enough it’s goomfmto magically know how to behave.

 

[CorvusCorax]

I think training has massively improved from the pure yank-and-crank of old, where the dogs were often shut down and didn't look very happy during their route marches, but there's a fine line.
Never showing a dog black and white, right and wrong, is confusing for them and ultimately quite unfair. Most dogs do not like, and are not mentally equipped, to make all their own decisions. And then we wonder why they act out.

 

[Moobli]

Indiscriminate breeding, clueless ownership (no research, no preparation, often choosing the wrong breed for lifestyle), not enough sensible positive socialisation, and often ineffective training methods all contribute to the number of out of control dogs imo.

 

[Dopeydapple]

There's a training group on Facebook that is ALL about training using games and only games, it's very popular and always posts videos of energetic dogs eagerly waiting for their treat for being next to their owner or laying on their bed, someone innocently asked what to do when you have a less fun loving breed as it's mostly spaniels and collies shown, they also stated that these dogs never looked relaxed and were always super focused on the owner waiting for a command but like they were at the limit of self restraint, some people said there was a game for everything and they should join the next course enrolment, I suggested that whilst these games may be great for some dogs when training we do need to be flexible to the individual dog and do what works for them, the commenting instantly hot switched off after someone else agreed with me...

 

[SpringArising]

I really think the new "fluffy" training methods have a lot to do with the number of badly behaved dogs around.
I recently joined a GSD fb group and some of the so called experts on there are pathetic. I read 2 posts this morning regarding puppy behaviour, first was someone asking for collar advice for a youngster that was pulling. A few sensible people suggested a half check collar, which was greeted with horror, as that would hurt the poor darling, had to be a harness, and maybe a halti too if the pulling was too bad. One poor soul suggested a check collar and had her post removed ! Then another about a puppy play biting, sensible advice about offering a toy instead which I have no problem with. However, the suggestion of a loud No was considered wrong because it would frighten the pup, and as for getting the pup by the scruff, good heavens no, poor little lamb. I couldn't resist and had to comment that if a pup was frightened by someone saying No loudly it must have a pretty poor temperament ! I have probably been booted now, if not I suspect I may have to leave for the sake of my blood pressure.

Great post.

 

[MotherOfChickens]

There's a training group on Facebook that is ALL about training using games and only games, it's very popular and always posts videos of energetic dogs eagerly waiting for their treat for being next to their owner or laying on their bed, someone innocently asked what to do when you have a less fun loving breed as it's mostly spaniels and collies shown, they also stated that these dogs never looked relaxed and were always super focused on the owner waiting for a command but like they were at the limit of self restraint, some people said there was a game for everything and they should join the next course enrolment, I suggested that whilst these games may be great for some dogs when training we do need to be flexible to the individual dog and do what works for them, the commenting instantly hot switched off after someone else agreed with me...

I had to leave it if its the one I'm thinking of-way too many people denying their dogs genetics on that one. Plus the trainers made me want to punch pillows.

 

[blackcob]

Our vets contacted us to ask if the spanner will be going to their puppy parties. It was a resounding no.... However this idea of letting a bundle of puppies 'socialise' by tumbling about together in a village hall is idiotic.

I agree totally BUT the off lead free-for-all hell is what owners want and expect from puppy parties. I put a stop to it at ours in favour of a more vet habituation set-up (encouraging owners to practice touching feet, ears, teeth, getting used to clipper noise, weighing scales etc.) and even changed the name (no more party associations, it became 'veterinary socialisation evening' or somesuch)... and apart from a few switched-on individuals who probably don't need to be there anyway, it usually goes down like a lead balloon. They want the puppy off the lead the second it comes through the door.

 

[CorvusCorax]

Sure, it tires them out, but IMO letting dogs tear-arse around all day with other dogs is some people's get-out from actually exercising, stimulating and training their dogs and it is the bread and butter of many commercial dog-centred operations.

So the dog is with a gang of other dogs all day, then he goes outside, without his buddies to back him up - now he's isolated and stressed and his gang aren't around he kicks off. And again, people wonder why.
It's totally counter-intuitive to what socialisation is supposed to be about.

 

[Cinnamontoast]

A flip side of the I do think that training methods that aren’t “fluffy” do more harm than good sometimes. I’ve seen too many clueless owners think that it’s fine to inflict pain on their dogs because they haven’t been bothered to learn how to correctly train it and don’t see things logically. There’s one near me. Far from training their Husky pup to be sociable and polite, they are teaching it to be wary of other dogs as each time it sees one it gets launched into the air by its choke chain. They don’t understand that hollering at it and pinning it to the ground really isn’t going to teach it to recall either They’ve been to training classes and they are convinced that they are doing everything correctly (but the dog is just naughty apparently). Another example of somebody having a breed which shouldn’t be sold to novice owners and an old school trainer who thinks that if you dominate a dog enough it’s goomfmto magically know how to behave.

I absolutely agree with not selling that sort of breed to just anyone and I think breeders should be far more discriminating. I couldn’t deal with a husky, I know my limits.

A wise lady told me her aim is dog neutral, which is what I’d always want. I have 2/3!

 

[Annette4]

I absolutely agree with not selling that sort of breed to just anyone and I think breeders should be far more discriminating. I couldn’t deal with a husky, I know my limits.

A wise lady told me her aim is dog neutral, which is what I’d always want. I have 2/3!

I’m the same in terms of wanting dog neutral, Fizz got there at nearly 3yo :lol: Dobby isn’t anywhere near there but while he’s a silly sod he stays on the lead around other dogs unless I know them.

 

[Blazingsaddles]

My vets hold ‘puppy parties’ for ages 8-12 weeks. The sessions include off lead ‘free play’ but also offers basic obedience, games & talks from the nurses regarding first aid, worming, wound care, bandaging, feeding etc. For a first time owner I’m sure it is informative. Yes, you will get enthusiastic play from puppies but in a controlled environment I don’t see the harm. Any pup that starts to aggressively dominate will be distracted & put on the lead.

 

[maisie06]

I think so....I never remember so many badly socialised reactive dogs about before. I think stupid owners who blame everyone and everything other than there poor handling and lack of time spent with the dog, as well as bad breeding/the need to "rescue" everything from abroad/ excuses, often pathetic is the problem...

Take this morning, I'm minding my own business walking on a PUBLIC FOOTPATH that leads up to a doggy day care place, there is a secure run alongside the footpath, it's great have used it many a time for training and at a tenner an hour - a bargain, it's huge....anyway I digress, my dog is on a lead at heel and I'm headed back to yard after our walk...I have permission to walk on the farm as well.

Dog in dog run behind hedge, stupid woman owner then says to friend who was riding that "that dog" meaning mine really shouldn't be there as it was "annoying" her dog - some sort of sighthound thing, which was hurling it's self at the fence behind the hedge....and as she "pays good money" no other dogs should be anywhere near her as it's not fair....I mean WTF???? I am on a footpath she's behind the fence in the secure run - how about using the time to actually try and train the thing rather than gobbing off at others - there is the problem - total idiot owner...I will continue to use the path as I can't go all the way back around the fields and be on time for work anyway!!!! Unfortunatley there are more and more owners like this who make excuse after excuse but never actually try to correct the dog, just allow it to do as it wishes, you could see it was in charge straight away...shouldn't be owning it, I did resist the urge to say the best thing for it would be a bullet!!

 

[maisie06]

Sure, it tires them out, but IMO letting dogs tear-arse around all day with other dogs is some people's get-out from actually exercising, stimulating and training their dogs and it is the bread and butter of many commercial dog-centred operations.

So the dog is with a gang of other dogs all day, then he goes outside, without his buddies to back him up - now he's isolated and stressed and his gang aren't around he kicks off. And again, people wonder why.
It's totally counter-intuitive to what socialisation is supposed to be about.

Totally agree with this - see it day in and day at at the local doggy dumping (daycare) centre...they attract a certain type of stupid owner too. I am not against all daycare as there are some good independent ones who take a few compatible dogs into their home and excersise appropiatley, but this big commercial place is just a massive free for all.

 

[pippixox]

I think more and more people buy the dog they like the look of, not the breed they should have (or frankly some people shouldn't have dogs at all)
for example... my rescue collie, both by a family as a puppy, barely left the house in 2 years. so as a two year old she was still not toilet trained (actually it was when being left for long hours and due to anxiety) and she was destroying things. thankfully rehomed her and she has had 1 accident day one and never chewed anything. she has plenty of energy, but easily manageable. frankly I am lucky she is so good- of course I have done training with her and I understand how her brain works (a few neurotic stress tendencies!) but ultimately she is good with other dogs despite 2 years with only knowing one other dog, so it shows all this 'socialising' doesn't mean a dog will be good with other dogs, personality has some part, as well as handling. (her only issue is she likes to zoom to other dogs, although as soon as she is next to them she sniffs and it good at reading if they are not interested in playing. but therefore I always recall if they are on lead- if fairness everyone should)