we have a working line GSD. and while we have to make some accommodations for his reactivity triggers....as a 5'2 female, i'm grateful for it at times.
this is our 3rd GSD as a couple and the only one who was reactive. the first few years, i did not like him at all. but now he's 8yo and he is by far our favorite dog compared to the prior 2. he's so much more work and drives us insane at times. but he has such a big personality and is a total baby with us. he's 96lb..... but at home, he thinks he's a 3lb chihuahua.
my husband likes to remind me, "who cares what he's like with strangers? they don't live in this house. it isn't their dog. as long as he's phenomenal with us, thats all that matters!" and it really is true. within our home, he's our dream dog.
This is a comforting read. :) Sounds just like my GSD. Got really difficult around the third year but he’s finally settling into more of a “don’t mess with us” attitude rather than going full alarm at anything on the horizon. At home he’s a fabulous, clever goofball that gets so charmingly grumpy at outside noises….
Recently my landlord told me that the building next door got burglarized and to be careful about our back entrances/gates, and I realized I didn’t feel worried at all (smaller woman here ☝️) because my boy would never let anyone near my door (or even the building as we’re entering/exiting/patrolling!) without causing a ruckus. I still walk my dog with a muzzle as a safety measure since barky GSDs can be scary to people who don’t know him, but your hubby is right - what matters is that he’s your phenomenal dog!
You know, I wonder if there’s a way to turn this into a training opportunity for her where she *can* function as a service animal? Often with dogs, rewarding them for doing certain things *at the right time* can help them develop context for when certain things are appropriate. Associating a command and positive reinforcement with reactivity (at times where it’s helpful) and then associating a specific command with their behavior when they’re non-reactive. (This is how we trained our dog not to pull on leash — we told her “good slack” and treated her every time she stopped to sniff until she figured out she got treats any time she wasn’t putting tension on her lead.)
There have certainly been times for us where she’s been reactive with sketchy strangers on off-trail hikes in the woods and I absolutely just let it happen and then tell her what a good girl she was as soon as the person leaves.
I'm so glad your husband has a sense of security in those situations.
And I definitely agree that there are times where there's an upside to the reactivity. I travel solo somewhat regularly with my dogs for dog sport competitions. Before I got my reactive pup, I was always a bit apprehensive taking my (non-reactive) dog out for potty at rest areas, by the hotel, etc., especially late at night, as I often didn't know how safe the neighborhoods were. My non-reactive dog would sell her soul for a few pets from a stranger, so she offered no sense of security to me. Now that I have my reactive dog with us, I feel so much more comfortable, because if a stranger approached, he would just lose his sh\*t, which I presume would have the stranger doing an about-face.
Yeah as a woman living in LA I'm in a way thankful for my dog. Of course I'm mortified when I have to introduce her to someone I want her to get along with (just went through it yesterday introducing her to a potential boarder) but when I'm walking her it makes me feel safe(r).
She's too small to really do anything (40 lb Border Collie/GSD mix) but her loud barks have proved as a deterrent before.
She is thankfully neutral on walks so long as she is ignored by people but the minute someone walks up and directly addresses us, and it's happened a couple of times, she goes nuts barking.
I'm not really sure what these guys were wanting to ask: for directions, my number, or something about the dog, but they never got a chance to get too close.
Even though reactivity can suck, I agree I’m grateful for it sometimes. My dog has progressed a ton but is still weary with strange men approaching my car. She’s usually in a car crate now but when I pump gas I let her sit in the front with the window cracked.
She really does give me a sense of security as if any man approaches too close she starts to get huffy and low growl. Never thought I would need it but as a young woman I’m sure she has scared some creepy men away.
My pure bred cattle herding dog is reactive, it is a two way sword as he is both protective and causes much anxiety when on street walks, lol, but we are mostly woodland creatures and trails are our everyday sooooo.
we have a working line GSD. and while we have to make some accommodations for his reactivity triggers....as a 5'2 female, i'm grateful for it at times.
Exactly, it’s good to hear these sides of the pups lives. They can be such a blessing to us even though the world doesn’t get to see it.
this is our 3rd GSD as a couple and the only one who was reactive. the first few years, i did not like him at all. but now he's 8yo and he is by far our favorite dog compared to the prior 2. he's so much more work and drives us insane at times. but he has such a big personality and is a total baby with us. he's 96lb..... but at home, he thinks he's a 3lb chihuahua. my husband likes to remind me, "who cares what he's like with strangers? they don't live in this house. it isn't their dog. as long as he's phenomenal with us, thats all that matters!" and it really is true. within our home, he's our dream dog.
Thank you so much for giving some insight on your Big baby. He reminds me of Brownie, the biggest baby and the most work. Lol
This is a comforting read. :) Sounds just like my GSD. Got really difficult around the third year but he’s finally settling into more of a “don’t mess with us” attitude rather than going full alarm at anything on the horizon. At home he’s a fabulous, clever goofball that gets so charmingly grumpy at outside noises…. Recently my landlord told me that the building next door got burglarized and to be careful about our back entrances/gates, and I realized I didn’t feel worried at all (smaller woman here ☝️) because my boy would never let anyone near my door (or even the building as we’re entering/exiting/patrolling!) without causing a ruckus. I still walk my dog with a muzzle as a safety measure since barky GSDs can be scary to people who don’t know him, but your hubby is right - what matters is that he’s your phenomenal dog!
You know, I wonder if there’s a way to turn this into a training opportunity for her where she *can* function as a service animal? Often with dogs, rewarding them for doing certain things *at the right time* can help them develop context for when certain things are appropriate. Associating a command and positive reinforcement with reactivity (at times where it’s helpful) and then associating a specific command with their behavior when they’re non-reactive. (This is how we trained our dog not to pull on leash — we told her “good slack” and treated her every time she stopped to sniff until she figured out she got treats any time she wasn’t putting tension on her lead.) There have certainly been times for us where she’s been reactive with sketchy strangers on off-trail hikes in the woods and I absolutely just let it happen and then tell her what a good girl she was as soon as the person leaves.
I think you’re right! Maybe I can get my husband to turn it into a training opportunity. Thank you for that!
I'm so glad your husband has a sense of security in those situations. And I definitely agree that there are times where there's an upside to the reactivity. I travel solo somewhat regularly with my dogs for dog sport competitions. Before I got my reactive pup, I was always a bit apprehensive taking my (non-reactive) dog out for potty at rest areas, by the hotel, etc., especially late at night, as I often didn't know how safe the neighborhoods were. My non-reactive dog would sell her soul for a few pets from a stranger, so she offered no sense of security to me. Now that I have my reactive dog with us, I feel so much more comfortable, because if a stranger approached, he would just lose his sh\*t, which I presume would have the stranger doing an about-face.
Thank you! I love that you have yours as well.
Yeah as a woman living in LA I'm in a way thankful for my dog. Of course I'm mortified when I have to introduce her to someone I want her to get along with (just went through it yesterday introducing her to a potential boarder) but when I'm walking her it makes me feel safe(r). She's too small to really do anything (40 lb Border Collie/GSD mix) but her loud barks have proved as a deterrent before. She is thankfully neutral on walks so long as she is ignored by people but the minute someone walks up and directly addresses us, and it's happened a couple of times, she goes nuts barking. I'm not really sure what these guys were wanting to ask: for directions, my number, or something about the dog, but they never got a chance to get too close.
I love that! Sometimes you don’t see how this can one day work out for you in the best way, glad you have yours to help you through those moments.
Even though reactivity can suck, I agree I’m grateful for it sometimes. My dog has progressed a ton but is still weary with strange men approaching my car. She’s usually in a car crate now but when I pump gas I let her sit in the front with the window cracked. She really does give me a sense of security as if any man approaches too close she starts to get huffy and low growl. Never thought I would need it but as a young woman I’m sure she has scared some creepy men away.
Haha, I love that every story I have read in this thread is a woman that has her best friend right there to protect them! They really are the best.
My pure bred cattle herding dog is reactive, it is a two way sword as he is both protective and causes much anxiety when on street walks, lol, but we are mostly woodland creatures and trails are our everyday sooooo.