Surviving day-to-day with our severely fearful and reactive dogs - One Step at a Time

Some dogs can face multiple behavioural issues simultaneously. On top of that, these issues can come with multiple layers: Separation anxiety, barking at strangers, reactivity towards vehicles, dogs, and runners, reactivity in different settings, just to name a few.

Navigating through this mix of challenges can be overwhelming. I’d be lying if I said I never considered the idea of handing Lucky to someone who could address her problems.

Lucky came to me with severe separation anxiety, extreme leash pulling, reactivity, and excessive barking both indoors and outdoors. As a result of her PTSD and several relocations during her time as my foster, she also developed OCD, even when progress seemed to be made.

Reflecting on my journey until now, here’s what has helped me:

1. Prioritizing which issue to focus on
2. Adapting to the environment: engaging in indoor exercises on rainy days, observing triggers in the park on sunny days, and utilizing guest visits for additional training opportunities
3. Incorporating exercises that create positive ripple effects, such as building self-confidence and promoting calmness
4. Taking it one step at a time: addressing one trigger, enjoying one walk, conducting one training session, and embracing each day as it comes

I haven’t completely resolved any of these issues yet. However, Lucky has come so far that these issues are now “manageable.” We continue to work on each challenge day by day. With time, I hope these obstacles will transform into minor annoyances, and we’ll look back with pride at how far we’ve come 😌

What has been helping you throughout your journey with your dogs?