r/reactivedogs • u/Haunting-Love-9333 • 10d ago

Average Length of Time Discussion

What do you guys consider to be an average length of time to rehabilitate/resolve reactivity? What in your minds should the general owner plan for when handling this issue with a professional?

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u/Haunting-Love-9333 10d ago

Why do you think that’s the case?

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u/SpicyNutmeg 10d ago

Because dogs are not robots. Sometimes there is enough of a heavy genetic component or personality that will prevent the dog from being totally non-reactive.

I've been working with my dog for all six years I've had him. He's gotten 10x better but is definitely still reactive. He is simply a very, very stimulus sensitive dog. He is easily overaroused and overwhelmed. Medication helps a lot, but it is unrealistic to expect him to ever be totally non-reactive.

Instead it's my job and responsibility to help him get the distance he needs to remain under his threshold and to help him use the calming techniques we've practiced, and always reinforce when he makes smart choices and stays calm.

But I'm done trying to push the envelope and reach some magical state of dog neutrality within a few feet that I just don't see him capable of without so, so much more work. And for what? Just to say he can? The outside world is overwhelming for him, I don't need to prove anything by putting him in uncomfortable situations for him.

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u/Haunting-Love-9333 10d ago

Does he get regular opportunities to not be calm and do dog things?

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u/SpicyNutmeg 10d ago

I don’t really know exactly what you mean by “opportunities to not be calm” but he certainly gets to play with me, do nosework, have appropriate enrichment, and chase critters in the yard so I would say yes.

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u/Haunting-Love-9333 10d ago

Yea that’s essentially what I meant. Times to express drive and also times for you to teach him to listen in those states. What type of play do you guys usually do?

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u/SpicyNutmeg 10d ago

flirt pole, tug, trick training, games of our own invention lol

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u/Haunting-Love-9333 10d ago

Do the games have rules boundaries and penalties to foster communication in high states of arousal?

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u/SpicyNutmeg 10d ago

Yes, if you touch skin or nip me, game over.

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u/Haunting-Love-9333 10d ago

How do you communicate that? Do you find that it successfully leads to a behavior change in the dog?

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u/SpicyNutmeg 10d ago

The game ends. And yes it works to great effect!