My Reactive Dog Doesn’t Like Horses
My Reactive Dog Doesn’t Like Horses
You know what the worst part about dog training is for me? It never ends. Just when I think I’ve got Laika under control she reverts back to previous bad behaviors. What’s even worse is that it’s my fault for slacking off on training after things go well.
I forget that she isn’t perfect, and neither am I.
Lesson learned. If you have a reactive dog don’t assume things are all going to be perfectly well; just because your dog hasn’t exhibited the behavior recently doesn’t mean that they’re cured. I’ve come along way with Laika. Most walks nowadays are uneventful; which for a reactive dog owner makes you quite proud.
Today I forgot that I had a reactive dog. Well I didn’t completely forget, but I overestimated how far we’ve come and what possibilities are out there for us. For some reason in my mind I decided today would be the day that Laika and I would meet some horses.
My neighbor has two beautiful horses. We’ve often admired them from afar, sometimes getting within 6 feet. Just casually walking by with my reactive dog, proud of the fact that she seems so nonchalant about just being near some horses. If you are the owner of a reactive dog I know you understand.
While I was out walking Laika today I decided I really wanted to go say hi to those horses, perhaps even pet them. I tested out Laika by walking closer and closer to their fence, gauging her reaction; what us reactive dog owners politely call our dogs personal “threshold.” She was doing fine, showing a little interest but showing way more interest to amazing smells on the ground.
I managed to get within arms reach of the horses behind the electric fence. Both of which had approached us with great interest by now. To my surprise Laika kept her nose to the ground investigating whatever gross stuff she could find. I walked back and forth a few times to make sure she really wasn’t interested in the horses. She wasn’t.
I was amazed. I thought it would be a great opportunity to test her even more.
She was on a loose leash but considering we were very close to an electric fence I didn’t want to take any risks so I reined her in to heel next to me. She looked up at me waiting for the next cue, which I took as a sign that she was still doing pretty well.
We inched up closer and closer to the pair of horse faces waiting to greet us. I reached out and gave one of them a nice pat on the face. Laika didn’t mind, she just sat obediently by my side. I pet the second horse. Dog still sitting and waiting, looking for her next cue.
Suddenly Laika wasn’t reactive anymore; in my eyes she was miraculously cured. All the years of training, behavior specialists, and classes had finally paid off. I thought I’d give my now suddenly non reactive dog a little more room to wander.
As soon as I gave her a few inches she lunged ahead, snapping and growling. I think she managed to get within 6 inches of the horses face. Luckily the horse backed away and I was able to pull her back in towards me.
Training my reactive dog begins again tomorrow. I’ll treat every walk as I have been doing for years; with planning, treats, and caution.
Never assume your reactive dog is cured.
My reactive dog may not like horses, but she loves hoses
Monday Mischief blog hop hosted by Alfie’s Blog, Snoopy’s Dog Blog, and My Brown Newfies.
Thanks for sharing your lesson. It is an important one.
It is very admirable that you have committed yourself to working and living with a reactive dog. She is lucky to have you.
Thanks, it’s so weird but I actually feel more connected to Laika because of her behavioral problems. I think it’s made me way more attentive which in turn has made me extremely bonded. I feel like I’m lucky to have her, she’s taught me quite a bit.
Great points and tips. One of my huskies is reactive also, and I know what you mean.It’s hard not to get complacent with it when they are doing so well. I have made the mistake as well!
ღ husky hugz ღ frum our pack at Love is being owned by a husky!
It’s so easy to get complacent. I’ve learned my lesson, that’s for sure.
An important lesson to remember! Rita is reactive too. She’s gotten so much better about most things (vast improvement with gardeners, strange men, loud trucks, *some* dogs, but still not great with *all* dogs…) so sometimes I forget. Then she’ll unexpectedly lunge at some car and it’s a feeling like we’re back to square one.
Gardeners.. I wonder if it’s the hat? Laika doesn’t like people in hats. It’s a lot of work constantly trying to monitor a dogs behavior, all of my previous dogs were so “easy.” I feel like that as well quite often, we’re back to square one. But it’s worth it seeing how much improvement shes made in so many regards.