Thanks Naya and Harley, our girls are the same age. Hopefully we'll meet up on a forum walk in the future.
Pippa's Labrador Handbook has a short section on reactive dogs. There's also a good article on the website: https://www.thelabradorsite.com/aggressive-and-reactive-behaviour-in-labradors/ I'm not a behaviourist, but maybe some simple distraction techniques like the hand touch would help to get them to focus on you when they feel stressed. A good start might be to introduce Holly to your two (maybe one at a time) from a distance. I'll move her slowly towards you. If they start to react you could get their attention and reward it with high value treats. Maybe we could meet somewhere where there aren't too many dogs and try this?
If you try this, I would suggest trying having the reactive dog walking in very slow figure-8s at the "non-reacting" distance. I did this with my Shadow a couple of days ago and it was very impressive how well it worked over just LAT. I still clicked and treated for him looking at the other dog (a stooge I had "borrowed" for the purpose) but I think the movement helped to calm him. The closer-and farther movement makes the approach less obvious and so less stressful than if you use the traditional LAT idea of moving closer when the dog can cope with the given distance. @WoodWoman, if you want to try this, I would suggest practicing figure-8s with your dog beforehand, so you both get used to the pattern. I find it really helps to calm both the dogs and me. I've had all three of them doing it together a few times now and it brings really good focus to lead walks. When I was doing it with Shadow and the other dog, I got so much closer with him remaining calm than I would have done with LAT alone. He didn't react once, and I stopped the game when we were within easy talking distance, ending on a high. I was pretty astounded, because the other dog was one he has reacted to in the past at a pretty large distance and hits all his triggers - big and dark, young entire male who was looking directly at him (because he wanted to play). To be honest, Shadow doesn't really need all these trigger points to react - the fact there's a dog and he's on the lead is normally enough to get him barking and lunging - but the type of dog this was would be one I was really expect him to react to without question.
Hello and welcome to the forum from Fred, Annie and me here in Cheshire. Fred and Annie have the same father but different mothers.
Thank you very much this is very helpful. I will certainly try out the figure of eight idea with them. I have been trying to use LAT but it is difficult to find a place where other dogs are under control and won't run up to them.
Thanks Hollysdad. Yes, I think introducing my 2 to Holly would be best done 1 at a time. I will start practising Fiona's method of figure 8 walking and maybe we could try that. Would the first car park at the Beacon (the one they have just repaired) be a good place to meet? It seems to be quiet in the week at least. Or perhaps you can think of somewhere better or nearer you.
There are a lot of dog walkers at the Beacon. Somewhere more quiet like Pecket Stone or Wet Meadows might be better so we're not interrupted by other dogs. I'm free for Mon, Tue or Wed mornings this week. Pick a day
Wednesday morning would be good at Pecket Stone. I am not sure where it is, I am coming from near Tintern through Trellech towards Monmouth and it looks as if it is a side road off that, is that right.
That's right. About 1 mile after Trellech on the Monmouth road. Turn right for The Narth and Pecket Stone car park is about 200 yards on the right. What time would you like to meet?
OK, I'll see you at 10:00. I'll get there a little early so Holly can burn off her initial excitement. That way we'll have a calm dog
Its been a few weeks since this thread started so I thought I'd provide an update on our walks. Pippin and Becca have been going for lead walks with Holly in a place with few other dogs. We've been walking them one at a time, Pippin one week and Becca the next. Every walk would start with Holly about 50m away. When Pippin or Becca settled down we'd walk off and let @WoodWoman follow, catching up with us when her dog was comfortable. We'd then finish the walk together. Pippin has been making very good progress. The last two walks we've finished by letting Holly and Pippin off lead, and they've got on very well. This week we had a play bow out of Pippin, which surprised and delighted us all. Becca is still a bit unsure and has not yet reached the stage where we could walk them off lead. The last walk with Becca was disturbed by meeting several other dogs which distracted her from the exercise. With @WoodWoman's agreement I took a few pictures of our last walk with Pippin for the Forum. It's heartwarming to see Pippin and Holly so comfortable in each other's company.
That's a lovely update @Hollysdad , Holly is an absolute sweetheart to be such a calm dog with Pippin and Becca.
Great post to read Phil, Holly is just the best ! Good news @WoodWoman, well done with pippin, she looks very beautiful. Hope Becca because makes progress in time .
