You're right, Tanith. No need do get myself all worked up.

Its just that working on the reactions has been tough. Every time I get to where she is comfortable within fifteen or twenty feet of a strange dog something like this happens and I have to back up the distance again. Its a pain in the butt.

Also, she can be really independent at times. I have worked really hard on her obedience training, but I still don't feel confident that I have complete control in every situation. She generaly listens, but she's good at pulling a real butt head move now and then.

Just means I need to keep working on it. I will call around and talk to more people. Thanks for the advice and encouragement.

Hi Lauren, I hear your pain! Just a side note - I have noticed that Jethro and Skipper are super sensitive to my state of calm and relaxation. When I am tense, Skipper actually trembles more and Jethro is way more reactive to things going on around us. I have found 20 minutes of meditation on my part makes a huge difference on Jethro's reactivity out on the walk.

You said, "I'm really sensitive to this issue because my favorite dog ever died as a result of a dog attack. I never want to be on either end of that situation ever again." This raises a flag for me, that you might be telegraphing tension unconsciously and your dog might be picking up on that and reacting to it. It might be habituated by now, and your dog just expects, when it is on leash, for there to be this tension and hyper-vigilance.

Before Jethro, I had two dogs that were dog-reactive. The first was many, many years ago and I really did not have a clue what the dog needed. He was male dog aggressive and after many fights I became very nervous about taking him outside. After that dog passed, we got another, a female border collie and I was already nervous from the first dog, and still didn't understand the dynamic of tension sharing - so this female became dog reactive when on leash. I still thought it was the dog's temperament. This was back in the late '80s.

Dial forward and we adopt Jethro and Skipper last year. Lo and behold, within a couple of months Jethro is dog-reactive when on leash. It brought up all those old feelings of fear and panic (which were probably an unconscious subtext when I was handling him). It has taken me months to train myself to remain calm and matter of fact when Jethro gets over-excited. I still get upset sometimes, when I am caught by surprise, but that is neither Jethro, nor any other dog (or mis-handler)'s fault.

It is my job to convey confidence and handling skill no matter what we encounter out in the wide world.

I know you are working really hard with your pup, and I wonder if it might help for you to focus on your own relaxation. It couldn't hurt, and you might find you are enjoying your dog and your outings more, instead of being at the mercy of irresponsible dog-owners (which you cannot do anything about for the most part).

I'm sorry you had this setback, but maybe it is also a way to move forward.

Jenny, I'm really not scared or nervous about other dogs at all. Its something that I pay special attention to since she is definitely sensitive to me. If something happens while we are out I've learned to just put it out of my mind and move on.

Its just that when you have had the worst possible outcome happen before you cant help but to raise your awareness about your own responsibility. Its not really an in the moment problem.

When my previous dog died, thank goodness I wasn't there. It happened when he was with my father. If I had witnessed it I don't think I could even own a dog.

 Quote: Lauren Jeffery

Just walking down the street and boom! Little dog right in her face.
My dogs reaction gave a serious fright to the little beast. She growled deeply and lunged, and the small dog spun backward screaming. The lunge didnt seem like a warning at all.

If the small dog was within range of her teeth and the growl and lunge was her response; you have a good girl with control if she had wanted to, she most definitely could have nailed the little beast.

I think you are doing a fabulous job with her Lauren. Personally, and anyone who knows differently perhaps Tanith, can point me in the right direction if I am wrong; I would consider a lunge and a growl as an appropriate response to a rude onslaught by another dog.

In a perfect world it would have been great if she turned to you but she's a strong minded gal who will need a lot of reenforcement that turning to you is a much better option than acting on her own but at 2 she's probably still testing the waters.

With that being said; are you still in the Boston area? If so consider Canine University as somewhere to work on the reactivity. Gerilyn is wonderful not only with the dogs but she makes you feel really good about yourself and your progress. Plus she has a soft spot for shepherds.

That's actually a really good point, Sheila. There have been a handful of times in her life that she probably could have bitten and didn't.

She had a little scuffle with a french bulldog (a friends dog) over a ball once. Honestly, I wouldn't even call it a fight. She walked up to take the ball, the frenchie gave her a clip to the muzzle and they turned into a big, noisey, whirling ball of dog.

In that ten or fifteen seconds, she probably could have at least wounded, if not killed, the frenchie if she was serious. Nobody was hurt, a little slobbery but not even a scratch, and the dogs were cool with eachother after.

No more toys were involved ever again. If the frenchie had anything in her possesion, a stick or anything else of interest, I would just tell Tasha to leave it and she would walk away.

I guess I do have a really good girl, she's just excellent at looking scary.