Socialising a nervous dog?

[LD&S]

I am not disgreeing with this post, I know nothing about dogs like these hyper aggressive/reactive types but the trouble is does it not become a vicious circle? You can't exercise them as they can't leave the house so they get more uptight and stressed? Or am I putting my emotions and thoughts onto a dog? This is an interested question, not a having a go!

Didn't think for a moment you were.

My previous greyhound was a rescue and was traumatised by the journey from Ireland, he loved going out but any traffic going by was a big risk as he used to pull back very hard, our street is quiet but parallel to it is a busier road so initially I would only walk him for about 20yrds on the busier road and the rest of our walks were on very quiet roads. Luckily he did adjust but it did him no favours if I tried it for longer, the same with dog training classes, initially he was ok but as time went on it was taking 3 days for him to calm down so I stopped taking him. I only ever did things with him he was comfortable with, happy dog happy owner and after a couple of years he was able to cope with going in a lift in the town and walked down the main road without a care in the world.
The less we asked of him the more he was able to cope with, maybe OP dog is a bit like that.

 

[dollyanna]

I am not disgreeing with this post, I know nothing about dogs like these hyper aggressive/reactive types but the trouble is does it not become a vicious circle? You can't exercise them as they can't leave the house so they get more uptight and stressed? Or am I putting my emotions and thoughts onto a dog? This is an interested question, not a having a go!

You would think this would be the case, but often it isn't. I tried to push through, to do as much as possible within coping levels, but it wasn't until after we stopped (for other reasons, could no longer train or compete in agility) I realised how much better he was for not going out so much, for not being pushed. And this was after I realised he did actually need a good week virtually housebound after an agility weekend just in order to return to his (relatively) normal levels of stress and reactivity - trying to avoid this just led to immense distress on both our parts.
Less is certainly more for many dogs, we just don't realise how much they are processing just in day to day life sometimes, and sometimes exercise just leaves them more wired and reactive so it is better all round to limit it.

 

[planete]

Laura you have a pm.

 

[Micky]

My dog was bullied and lacking in confidence when younger, approx 5 months old onwards, puppy classes through the stages bronze etc..all good, but he reacted to dogs when we walked in public places, also in the back of the car, barking, running and barking (getting in there first) in dogs faces and then wanting to play or just wandered off..I was very wary in the end of taking him anywhere..! Found a local dog group who organise walks once/twice a week at weekends,sometimes it's 10 dogs, other times can be 25/30 dogs, all with owners, all very friendly and understanding with control over their dogs either off or on leads, with tennis balls, treats etc...it was a massive relief and release for me when he didn't react to them and ran around waiting for me to throw his ball, a few others love the ball too and he will now run with them after said ball....after quite a few walks, I'm much more relaxed when walking on the lead (or off) and when we haven't got a ball (but a pocketful of treats) and he is thriving off this...I started walking him through our village, firstly with absolute fav treat, making sure he knew I had them doing simple training i.e. Sit etc, distraction for when we met other dogs..and it worked...so if there is a local dog group (mine are on Facebook), I would recommend going along, meeting and explaining your situation, the confidence they give you will rub off on your dog...oh and I've had two dogs before this with no problems!! massively good luck and try not to anticipate what might happen, just what won't, as in, oh it's just another dog and walk on..I have no other ideas bar maybe change you behaviourist..