Owning a severely reactive dog in a crowded city

"Your dog doesn’t belong in the city"

When I first got Lucky, I was doing tons of research on reactivity - reading articles, watching training videos, and consulting different trainers. Living in the very center of Prague made finding the “perfect” training environment nearly impossible. Actual training facilities were far away, I don’t own a car, and taking public transport was less than ideal.

European cities are predominantly apartments, so every walk with Lucky doubled as a training session. However, controlling the environment is difficult. Sometimes, a truck or a scooter would suddenly pop up in the park, we often have to pass by a large group of people, or the place where we sit is a little too close to triggers. It would frustrate me, and honestly, it still does sometimes.

I have received several comments (both in person and on social media) suggesting that Lucky isn’t suited for city life and should be living in a house with a garden. While a countryside setting would be perfect, it’s okay if it’s not an option. If we were to escape from all the problems and triggers, we’d find ourselves in the middle of nowhere.

Find what works for you and your pup given the current environment you have and go from there. There are always solutions and alternatives to help you meet your dog’s needs and let them thrive. Most of us can’t control our environments completely, but we can strive to navigate them alongside our dogs.

Remember, training videos often depict ideal situations, so don’t be frustrated if you can’t achieve the same immediate results. It’s about progress, not perfection. Do your best, embrace the challenges, and enjoy the journey with your dog, regardless of the training environment.

Note: I’m fortunate to have found a trainer who comes to us on a weekly basis. A few months ago, Lucky and I moved to a quieter area, but we still encounter triggers on our short walks before reaching a forest park where she can decompress. Over time, her anxiety has improved.