Very very reactive dog- online help recommendations ?

[poiuytrewq]

This is not my dog but my friend is getting really upset and stressed out about this.
She got her the same time as I got Cecil so she is about 3 yrs old. Bedlington x I think JR so small but mighty! Cecil’s pretty lively but even he used to have enough after a while!

They moved abroad and took dog with them (friend and husband)
They live in an upstairs flat in a busy area. Relevant because she doesn’t have a garden to toilet in so is being walked several times a day, always by my friend.

The dog has become really reactive to the point of aggression, mainly towards children. Obviously it’s never off a lead but it’s an area where stray dogs and kids roam the streets and kids always try and approach.
She’s literally just messaged to say it’s now dogs, cats, children, anyone dressed in black amongst other stuff

The area they are in there is just no help available. She went to the vet who sent her away telling her “dogs bark, it’s normal”
Friend is also classed (in the UK) disabled. She struggles to go far or do a huge amount but does have time on her side to be able to put in.
She did loads of training when the dog was a puppy and I used to be a bit at how much better as a really young dog she was than Cec. That apparently has all been undone completely.

Are there any really good online recourses I can send her?

 

[CorvusCorax]

What country is she in?

Reaction and the ability to deal with stress is genetic and becomes more apparent with maturity, which is why she may have seemed very confident/well trained as a young dog but is now less so.
Add to that the stress of the move and change in living circumstances and every time going outside seeing things she does not like/is fearful of.

Online stuff will be harder as there will be things your friend is possibly doing that she may not be conscious of, that will be exacerbating the issues.

 

[stangs]

There's https://aggressivedog.com (https://www.youtube.com/@AggressiveDog/videos) but as CC says, online stuff can help understand the theory behind the behaviour but it can't advise on what the individual handler might be doing to encourage the behaviour.

https://iaabc.org/certs/members might help in finding a trainer.

 

[Jenko109]

This is going to be very challenging for your friend.

Usually, people will have the ability to walk at unsociable hours, walk in areas where they can appropriately manage space to prevent going over threshold etc.

I daresay, it is going to be a losing battle with this dog, if each and every time he leaves the house, he is further trigger stacked.

 

[Highmileagecob]

I think this may be an extreme stress reaction, and very difficult to resolve for all concerned.

 

[poiuytrewq]

It sounds a hideous situation to me. They have gone from a relatively quiet village here with an enclosed garden and big house to what essentially seems to be a holiday type
Apartment in a town.
It’s Albania, they have been there a year and in the time already moved again in addition to the emigration.
I suspect my friend is just freaking out a bit. Not helped that her husband gets really embarrassed and has a go at her about training “her bloody dog”
He used to wind/hype it up as a puppy when I saw them so hasn’t helped matters.

 

[CorvusCorax]

It's really not an ideal location for a dog with those issues, I have a bit of a similar predicament in that I face out onto a busy public walking route and my dog comes out every morning and evening expecting trouble from all-comers, because of thin nerve and bad experiences during the imprinting period. I have just done a quick Google and there do seem to be dog training services in Albania, depending on where she is.

 

[poiuytrewq]

It's really not an ideal location for a dog with those issues, I have a bit of a similar predicament in that I face out onto a busy public walking route and my dog comes out every morning and evening expecting trouble from all-comers, because of thin nerve and bad experiences during the imprinting period. I have just done a quick Google and there do seem to be dog training services in Albania, depending on where she is.

Yes I can imagine that’s not the easiest.
My own dog went through a spell of being a bit reactive at things, still is occasionally but it’s avoidable and things he used to be dodgy with he often no longer even looks at. He’s quite an easily distractible character though, hers isn’t. It takes no notice at all and just focuses on whatever she’s barking at.

Ok, I’ve not googled it, I’ve just taken their word for it, when I said they needed a decent trainer she said they don’t have dog trainers over there. I’ll have a look myself and send some names!

 

[Squeak]

Is it possible to do a face time session (hopefully via wifi!) with a UK dog trainer if your friend can't find one there?

Also depending on what the dog is doing is it worth muzzle training it so that your friend doesn't need to worry that it will ever be able to do damage? Wondering if that would help friend to be more relaxed when she's out with the dog which might help the dog and it also might stop people from approaching the dog or coming too close, like wise is there a lead or coat or something she can put on the dog saying something like nervous or give space or something?

I'm not even nearly as experienced as others on here so am happy to be corrected if any of that is wrong.

 

[I'm Dun]

My friend is a beahviourist and does online consultation and help in some cases. Shes qualified, experienced and bloody good, she doesn't charge a fortune either. If you want her details let me know.

 

[poiuytrewq]

I’ve had an initial look and whist there are dog trainers and I don’t know exactly where they are, I know where they were and it’s close but they are right on the coast and there don’t appear to be any very close. They have no transport (it’s seriously the maddest decision/move I’ve ever heard of)
I know when they came home for a bit getting her to a kennels was a day drive and cost a lot!
I’m Dun- absolutely yes please

 

[I'm Dun]

I've pmed you her initial free advice but for anyone else reading, she's an absolute legend, charges far too little and helps people in anyway she can whilst also being a qualified and experienced behaviorist Her website is

www.thecanineconsultants.co.uk

 

[Highmileagecob]

Hmm. Do you think there is a reading between the lines here, and maybe the move isn't working out so well after all? Perhaps the dog is picking up on a lot of stress and feels the need to be defensive.

 

[poiuytrewq]

Hmm. Do you think there is a reading between the lines here, and maybe the move isn't working out so well after all? Perhaps the dog is picking up on a lot of stress and feels the need to be defensive.

That impression may be coming from me as a third party because that’s firmly what I believe. So I may have given an unfair impression, according to them they love it over there.
I just don’t get it, I was stunned when they told me the plan, even more stunned that they followed it through

 

[Identityincrisis]

As someone with a very reactive, aggressive dog I strongly recommend she muzzle trains her dog and starts walking with it on, asap. It took a lot of my anxiety away as i knew he couldn’t hurt anyone or anything, especially if, god forbid, he got away from me. Unfortunately, despite a lot of effort he hasn’t really improved, I have just got used to managing him and situations better. I no longer notice the stares, i just focus on him. My dog was 7 when I got him, though and I have no history

 

[poiuytrewq]

As someone with a very reactive, aggressive dog I strongly recommend she muzzle trains her dog and starts walking with it on, asap. It took a lot of my anxiety away as i knew he couldn’t hurt anyone or anything, especially if, god forbid, he got away from me. Unfortunately, despite a lot of effort he hasn’t really improved, I have just got used to managing him and situations better. I no longer notice the stares, i just focus on him. My dog was 7 when I got him, though and I have no history

It’s tough isn’t it.

 

[Identityincrisis]

It’s tough isn’t it.

Very but he’s my absolute world, i have had to change so much in my life to accommodate him and his anxiety but he is the most wonderful dog

 

[Parrotperson]

It sounds a hideous situation to me. They have gone from a relatively quiet village here with an enclosed garden and big house to what essentially seems to be a holiday type
Apartment in a town.
It’s Albania, they have been there a year and in the time already moved again in addition to the emigration.
I suspect my friend is just freaking out a bit. Not helped that her husband gets really embarrassed and has a go at her about training “her bloody dog”
He used to wind/hype it up as a puppy when I saw them so hasn’t helped matters.

sorry am late to this but your poor friend. Her husband wants a good kicking for winding the poor puppy up then complaining about it later in life. He should take some responsibility!!

Doubt there will be much in the way of help in Albania. Are they staying there permanently or just for a bit then coming home? Cos I'd say this dog needs to be back in a home with a garden and then with some good remedial training. Horrible situation all round.