dealing with someone else's reactive dog

First off, I have to giggle at your last post Cassidy, about using vehicles as visual barriers. It's a GREAT tool if you have big dogs, but my two Schnauzers are at the perfect height to see two human and four (or more) dog feet passing by on the other side. :-)

I really second keeping Bugsy moving though when dealing with a reactive dog. Having B stop and stay also gives the other dog something to fixate on, and it gives B a chance to fixate back, and any level of eye contact may instigate a higher reaction level on behalf of the other dog. A stand stay may also be an awkward position in which B can't fully display his normal canine behaviour signals, and the other dog may read something offensive in that posture, depending on the situation. I know with my girls, who are both reactive to different stimuli, it's much easier to work when the other animal keeps going. Mind you, I'm aware my dog has a problem (this girl may not be, or may not know how to deal with it), so I'm always giving them my utmost attention.

I would keep B moving, and either teach a good eye contact (watch me) cue, or even teach a targetting cue to target your hand (you are probably the right height to use your hand for B) until other dogs pass. It's good to keep B's attention off of the reactive dog as well so that he doesn't develop any learning on reacting in kind as being an acceptable outlet.

If it was me, I would not even have let a second occurrence happen. If the dog came at my dog like that the first time, I would say something immediately the second I saw her and the dog again, and I would be blunt but kind. Just say "Please keep your dog away from mine", or "Please reign in your dog a little bit when passing my dog". You have every right to make your wishes known. Perhaps she doesn't realize that not everyone does things like she does, and she might happily take advice. Maybe she's (the human!) just never had the opportunity to learn as nobody has told her otherwise. You never know, it's worth a shot. I know I would say something if it was me though. Then again, I'm used to steering children, other dogs, and adults alike away from my dogs who think they are "so cute, and cuddly!".

 we met again today and I immediately turned in the opposite direction, letting the girl know what I was doing and why. Incredulously she looked at me like I was nuts. OK whatever. I felt pretty happy that I was able to get B to do that as he initially turned around and walked backwards as the dog was aggressing behind him now - clearly he didn't like not being able to see what was happening.  But I got him moving and looking forward away from the other dog and tried to engage his nose in something because that is a very, very strong drive for him.  He rejects treats when he has something more interesting to do but I threw the treat about 5 ft in front of us and told him to find it.  He was conflicted at first but decided to play his beloved 'find it' .  They moved past the cul de sac we turned on and I was very vocal in congratulating him on his 'find' and started running in our original direction.

So overall I was pleased to have gotten past them without B having to be lunged at in close proximity and without him having an opportunity to lunge back.

I have been really busting Bugsy's butt on focusing on me/my eyes, leave it, and a body turn and I will continue to do so.   When we are working on it he is awesome and even if I try it with distractions he is awesome but given a high interest distraction it is crazy hard work.  He is a very intense dog and it is extremely difficult to change his focus from what he wants to be focusing on.  This has been and will remain, one of, if not the most difficult training challenge with him.  So as I have done for all of the 3+ yrs I have owned him I will practice, practice, practice.

Kim_MacMillan

It's good to keep B's attention off of the reactive dog as well so that he doesn't develop any learning on reacting in kind as being an acceptable outlet.

I fear this has happened as he has always paid no attention to barking dogs or ones that rush around their yard when we pass and he has recently stopped to see what all the fuss is about.  The last thing I need is my very powerful, very large, very intense dog becoming reactive.  I am pretty peaved at this point and am very much on the verge of letting this family how unhappy I am. We have never ever had a dog dog issue and by golly I will not have one now.

I'll try to focus on what worked today and keep doing what I can - thank you all for the suggestions