I've lived in NYC with reactive dogs for 17+ years now and you're doing everything right. One thing that did make a difference in one of my dogs is fluxotine. It helped her take the edge off.
I know moving is not an option for you, but that’s what I did. I was living in midtown with my reactive chihuahua mix and it was a nightmare. I walked him at weird times and kept walks super short. Took the stairs instead of the elevator, etc. Everything you seem to be doing. I ended up moving to Weehawken and my (and my dog’s) quality of life increased exponentially.
I recently moved from the suburbs to Brooklyn and I cried the first night because of how overwhelming it was for me and my reactive dog. I felt like all the progress we made was about to go downhill. I had worked with a trainer in the past, they’re called The Tired Pooch on IG. I worked with them in person when I lived in Toronto and it changed the game for me and my dog. I actually did a virtual session with them this morning so they could teach the same skills to my bf who is now handling my dog as we’ve moved into together. Investing in a trainer who specializes in reactivity will really help to reduce your stress and your dog’s anxiety. Wishing you all the best! We got this.
If we see another dog I either stuff cheese in her face or pull her past the dog saying “let’s go” in a happy voice while she barks her head off
I always have cheese on me lol
ETA have you tried a trainer? Shelby semel is highly recommended in NYC but they didn’t help me that much. I thought about trying Instinct next, but I learned to give up and accept my dog barking
Yep, my new foster pup is showing signs of being reactive to dogs, and he pulls HARD. This is going to be tough. He also arrived here from AL with an open bullet wound (surgery is being scheduled now) and damn if that doesn’t also make dogs lunge/bark at him too.
My very first foster was also dog reactive, but he wouldn’t even go out on a leash, he “went out” in our backyard. Luckily he was adopted by a family in suburban Connecticut.
However this pup absolutely LOVES going on walks, so I wouldn’t want to confine him to the backyard, incase his adopter doesn’t have one.
We’re in Bushwick, endless junkies on our street with unleashed dogs.
You mentioned moving isn’t an option, but unsure if that includes neighborhoods in the future. We recently moved to UES and having quick access to Central Park has been amazing. We don’t go in the early morning because of off leash hours, but we do long walks in the afternoon. There is enough space for you to divert off path most times or even find some space with no one around.
It does sound like you are doing everything you can! I go through major highs and lows with my dog and her reactivity. Putting your dog on anti anxiety could be the little boost they need to have a more calm life with extra training!!
Working with a trainer was what cracked the code for my reactive dog and me in NYC! I came into owning my reactive dog with a ton of training knowledge, but trying to train his reactivity in NYC knocked me on my ass. For context, when I first adopted him, he was screaming at other dogs from a block away. With the help of my trainer, I’d barely call him reactive anymore — he gets a little too jazzed about other dogs if he has to sit next to one quietly for a long time at a patio, but he can pass other dogs in tight quarters, go on hikes with other dogs, and he’s even learning to play politely — all things I *never* thought would be possible for him. We tried Prozac — and I definitely recommend trying behavioral meds if you and your trainer think they could help — and it didn’t work for him, but he’s at a point where I don’t even think he needs it anymore.
I worked with Pumpkin Pups (based in Brooklyn), and they’re honestly the best training organization I’ve ever worked with as a dog owner. I’ve worked with two of their trainers and both have changed my and my dog’s life for the better. They offer an “Ask a trainer” Zoom call on Saturdays where they take questions from anyone (clients or non-clients) for free, and they always give really thoughtful answers. I’m sure they’d love to answer this question!
Fluxotine has def helped my rescue pittie. He started off wild and nervous of everything. But he’s pretty chill now. When he was getting acquainted with me and the neighborhood I def made sure to avoid triggers like dogs and homeless people doing what they do, and now he’s gotten used to them. I let him socialize a bit with other dogs we walk past, and I usually take him on looooong walks in the evening to tire him out. Keeping training treats on hand to distract him from distractions helps a ton too
I can relate it's a struggle. You're so right going out early or late doesn't make much of a difference here in a lot of neighborhoods. My current foster is extremely hyperaroused / excited reactive / frustrated greeter... everything is a trigger for him and he's constantly over threshold. I live Uptown. Walking him is a nightmare. I do the same - keeping walks to potty breaks and doing tons of enrichment inside. Just this morning at 5am I went to walk him and it was just as you said, rush hour 😭 there's also been an increase of off leash dogs (most with terrible recall) around bc of the weather which has been so stressful. I second the other comments, besides a trainer and considering behavioral meds, you're doing everything you can! 🐾
I've lived in NYC with reactive dogs for 17+ years now and you're doing everything right. One thing that did make a difference in one of my dogs is fluxotine. It helped her take the edge off.
I know moving is not an option for you, but that’s what I did. I was living in midtown with my reactive chihuahua mix and it was a nightmare. I walked him at weird times and kept walks super short. Took the stairs instead of the elevator, etc. Everything you seem to be doing. I ended up moving to Weehawken and my (and my dog’s) quality of life increased exponentially.
I recently moved from the suburbs to Brooklyn and I cried the first night because of how overwhelming it was for me and my reactive dog. I felt like all the progress we made was about to go downhill. I had worked with a trainer in the past, they’re called The Tired Pooch on IG. I worked with them in person when I lived in Toronto and it changed the game for me and my dog. I actually did a virtual session with them this morning so they could teach the same skills to my bf who is now handling my dog as we’ve moved into together. Investing in a trainer who specializes in reactivity will really help to reduce your stress and your dog’s anxiety. Wishing you all the best! We got this.
If we see another dog I either stuff cheese in her face or pull her past the dog saying “let’s go” in a happy voice while she barks her head off I always have cheese on me lol ETA have you tried a trainer? Shelby semel is highly recommended in NYC but they didn’t help me that much. I thought about trying Instinct next, but I learned to give up and accept my dog barking
My pup will NOT ACCEPT treats when we are out walking, I wonder how I can fix that. Welcome to BK! 🥲
Yep, my new foster pup is showing signs of being reactive to dogs, and he pulls HARD. This is going to be tough. He also arrived here from AL with an open bullet wound (surgery is being scheduled now) and damn if that doesn’t also make dogs lunge/bark at him too. My very first foster was also dog reactive, but he wouldn’t even go out on a leash, he “went out” in our backyard. Luckily he was adopted by a family in suburban Connecticut. However this pup absolutely LOVES going on walks, so I wouldn’t want to confine him to the backyard, incase his adopter doesn’t have one. We’re in Bushwick, endless junkies on our street with unleashed dogs.
You mentioned moving isn’t an option, but unsure if that includes neighborhoods in the future. We recently moved to UES and having quick access to Central Park has been amazing. We don’t go in the early morning because of off leash hours, but we do long walks in the afternoon. There is enough space for you to divert off path most times or even find some space with no one around. It does sound like you are doing everything you can! I go through major highs and lows with my dog and her reactivity. Putting your dog on anti anxiety could be the little boost they need to have a more calm life with extra training!!
Working with a trainer was what cracked the code for my reactive dog and me in NYC! I came into owning my reactive dog with a ton of training knowledge, but trying to train his reactivity in NYC knocked me on my ass. For context, when I first adopted him, he was screaming at other dogs from a block away. With the help of my trainer, I’d barely call him reactive anymore — he gets a little too jazzed about other dogs if he has to sit next to one quietly for a long time at a patio, but he can pass other dogs in tight quarters, go on hikes with other dogs, and he’s even learning to play politely — all things I *never* thought would be possible for him. We tried Prozac — and I definitely recommend trying behavioral meds if you and your trainer think they could help — and it didn’t work for him, but he’s at a point where I don’t even think he needs it anymore. I worked with Pumpkin Pups (based in Brooklyn), and they’re honestly the best training organization I’ve ever worked with as a dog owner. I’ve worked with two of their trainers and both have changed my and my dog’s life for the better. They offer an “Ask a trainer” Zoom call on Saturdays where they take questions from anyone (clients or non-clients) for free, and they always give really thoughtful answers. I’m sure they’d love to answer this question!
Fluxotine has def helped my rescue pittie. He started off wild and nervous of everything. But he’s pretty chill now. When he was getting acquainted with me and the neighborhood I def made sure to avoid triggers like dogs and homeless people doing what they do, and now he’s gotten used to them. I let him socialize a bit with other dogs we walk past, and I usually take him on looooong walks in the evening to tire him out. Keeping training treats on hand to distract him from distractions helps a ton too
I can relate it's a struggle. You're so right going out early or late doesn't make much of a difference here in a lot of neighborhoods. My current foster is extremely hyperaroused / excited reactive / frustrated greeter... everything is a trigger for him and he's constantly over threshold. I live Uptown. Walking him is a nightmare. I do the same - keeping walks to potty breaks and doing tons of enrichment inside. Just this morning at 5am I went to walk him and it was just as you said, rush hour 😭 there's also been an increase of off leash dogs (most with terrible recall) around bc of the weather which has been so stressful. I second the other comments, besides a trainer and considering behavioral meds, you're doing everything you can! 🐾