Hi everyone, its been awhile since I last posted but I thought it was time to update on Amber. She completed her reactive dog class, and to be honest I was disappointed in it. I guess I had more of the impression that it would not only involve some desensitizing but also work on obediance-neither really happened. It basically consisted of standing behind a barrier and non-stop clicking and giving treats. I mean it wasn't structured very well at least in my opinion, and a couple of other people quit the class. So while I'm continuing to use the clicker I've discovered that Amber is much more responsive with a toy than food, and I've also discovered that being on a long leash is much less anxiety provoking for her and the other day she met a dog who was as close as 3 feet away and she managed to focus on me! not the other dog! A couple of times she would bark at the other dog (she is very talkative and will have a temper tantrum verbally and I haven't been able to stop this but I'd rather her sit and bark than lunge) but was easily refocused on her toy. The other dog was awesome and tolerant, and hopefully we'll be meeting again to help Amber get over this. She is 21 months old today and I'll continue to work with the goal of dog tolerance. Just thought I'd update and I hope everyone is well and had happy holidays. Jodi

Wow, I have just finished reading some of your posts from a few months back (particularly "My 8-month-old is aggressive on leash) -- kudos to you for all the hard work and progress you have obviously made! The issues you were (are) working on are very familiar to me -- unfortunately for my dog (our first dog), we had no clue about what the issues actually were or what to do about them, until very recently (thank you, Leerburg forum!) So, we are at the point where we are essentially starting from scratch -- but better late than never! You are an inspiration I will keep you in mind as we now slowly start the whole desensitizing process. I, too, look forward to the day when I can take Lenney for a walk in town and she doesn't bat an eye when passing another dog!

Thank you so much. My heart is singing today, as part of my desensitization plan I brought Amber to the dog run because there was only 1 dog there and I asked the gentleman with that dog if it would be ok if I brought Amber into the run next door, and I explained that she might bark, etc. He was fine with that and I kept Ambi on her long leash while I threw her toy. I made a point of keeping her away from the fence to prevent any fence fighting (my neighbors little dog has greatly contributed to this issue) and with 1 dog Ambi was totally focused on me and retrieving her toy. Then 3 other dogs showed up for the big dog run. There was a dog staring at her, barking at her and she pretty much ignored them (of course we made a point of staying away from the fence but these dogs were perhaps 20 feet away) Anytime she thought about reacting I just refocused her with her toy. Oh my, I am just overjoyed that she has gotten to this point! We still have a long way to go, and finding out what motivated her was a long process, food, even her faves didn't really distract her when she was reactive but the toy does. Seeing her sit with her back turned while dogs were barking behind her was something I didn't think was possible. The Leerburg BB helped more than anything, and I share the same dream- to not have to plan out a walk to avoid dogs. Good luck to you, it takes a ton of patience, but from my experience with Amber its possible. I still can't believe what happened today! I am so happy.

Good for you -- and Amber! I can imagine how thrilled you must be. Gave me goosebumps just reading it So many of the threads I have come across lately -- and yours in particular -- give me confidence that I can do it, too. Thanks for posting your update!

Marina, I've been meaning to post this, two of the things I've used with Amber are the Relaxation dog protocol, which kind of bombproofs them, and Behavior Adjustment Training. These may be helpful. Amber has had her issues recently, the neighbors little dog has become quite a bit more aggressive at the fence, making it difficult to just go out to eliminate. Poor Ambi she trys to be good, but this little dog is relentless. I may have to consider moving so that my dog can relax in her own yard.

Are the neighbors unwilling to accept that their dog is becoming a nuisance and needs to be controlled? What happens one day if the fence fails to hold him back and you've got a dog fight on your hands with either a dead dog or a human badly bitten?

No they are not. I've expressed to them several times that Amber has anxiety/fear issues with dogs and they've responded that "its a game to them (dogs) I've replied that its not to Amber. The little dog did in fact come through the fence a week and a half ago, I was able to get Amber inside and was nice enough to walk next door to tell them their dog came through the fence, now mind you Amber is always on a leash in her own yard, and they didn't even say they were sorry or ask if my dog was ok. This is not just a situation with Amber, this dog did the same thing with my male who was not reactive but as he had cancer I only took him out in the yard to eliminate as he didn't need to deal with that. Last incident a day ago, I had Amber out to pee and poop, they just let the dogs out, little one of course hears her tags and barrels over to the fence,and Ambi has not once instigated with this dog, he hears her step out the door and comes flying, then she reacts. To Ambers credit she did sit for a bit but this dog has harrassed her since she was a puppy, I use the yard 3 times a day for a few minutes at a time so its not like we are always out there, owner finally comes out, by this point I am beyond aggravated, tell owner I'm going to call AC (I used to be an ACO so I'm aware laws are limited here) she yells back "its their ****ing yard" So no, they don't care, they don't want to work out a schedule so I can get Ambi out to pee and poop; and I honestly think they find it humorous that their little dog is terrorizing my big dog. I did call AC, more to vent haven't filed an official complaint yet. As expensive and difficult as it to find dog friendly housing here it just may be easier to move-Ambi has made so much progress. OK thanks, I needed to vent.

Jodi, thank you for the suggestions. I was not familiar with the Relaxation Dog Protocol, but did a little research this evening on the internet -- I think a highly structured program like this might be just the ticket I'm going to give it a go.

Good luck in dealing with your ignorant neighbours, but from what you've described, it doesn't sound like they are interested in making any changes. As a newbie owner, I can't offer any advice, but hopefully other forum members will have helpful ideas. What a nuisance it would be to have to move...

The Relaxation Dog protocol has really helped, I'm also using BAT which is Behavioral Adjustment Training and is helpful for dogs like Amber because you can get them away from the trigger and then treat/reward. One of the issues in the reactive dog class I attended was that you needed 3 hands. I can get you the info for the BAT program if you'd like.
Yes the situation with the neighbors dog is difficult, more because I can't even get Ambi to the car so she can go for a run without him there. I've changed the times I bring her out, using the front door more and of course Ambi is in the middle of her business this morning and they bring him out into the front yard, loose, he ran at the fenced dog across the street then saw Ambi and made a beeline for her. I yelled NO, and he stopped while I got her inside but I'm almost beginning to wonder if they do this on purpose. Oh well, it is what it is and I'm just going to continue being responsible with my dog.
I think you'll like working with the Relaxation Protocol, keep me posted on how it goes.

I think they sound like the kind of A holes who probably do it on purpose, know many like that, well don't know them come across them.

How does BAT work for dog aggressive dogs who won't easily redirect? Is there any use of compulsion with redirecting them in BAT?