Have reactive dog, will still travel...on road trips, anyway.
I get to go on a lot of road trips with Ma and Daddy-dog even though I am leash-reactive. I have been camping in many of Florida's State Parks, I have stayed in a cabin in the mountains of North Carolina and I even got to stay in a posh hotel in Atlanta, Georgia.
I love all kinds of activities too like hiking, biking and canoeing and I get to go along on those activities no matter if we are out-of-town or at home. I am good with meeting people while on leash and other boats and bikes do not make me react at all...except in happy excitement to say hello.
1. Daddy-dog usually has my leash when we are out on adventures. I do not react as much when I walk with him as I do when I walk with Ma.
2. When we see another dog approaching us, Ma and Daddy-dog both use distraction techniques like making me do a trick (for a small treat) or we zig-zag walk so I need to pay more attention to them than anything else.
3. When camping, we always hike early in the morning. There are usually less dogs on the trail in the morning, but also, since it is cooler, we can go further which will tire me out so I do not have as much energy when I get reactive.
4. Wherever we are staying, we bring along my puzzle treat-dispensing toy. We learned from a behaviorist that terriers need to be mentally exhausted as well as physically exhausted or we just keep going, and going and going, etc. (and that includes the reactivity). This actually works really well...it is a great distraction at the campsite (for when other dogs are walking by MY campsite - an issue) and all that thinking does help keep me calmer.
Do these precautions work all of the time? Absolutely not. But that is okay. Ma and Daddy-dog believe that even a reactive dog should be able to enjoy a road trip or vacation with their owners. Yes, all the crazy barking at other dogs can be embarrassing but we just keep moving forward and enjoying our time together.
Have you ever traveled with a reactive dog?
I've taken 3 huge road trips in my life. Round trips and we stay at motels (2 peeps and 2 dogs). Last summer we visited relatives in Montana. In a couple of hours from home we can be in Mexico but we went North to about 30 miles from Canada. Three days up and three days back. We were so good (as usual) that They wouldn't hesitate to take us again except that now we have Kali and she needs to settle down a touch.
ReplyDeleteit sounds like your peeps are doing all the right things Oz and perhaps some of it is also a protective instinct - guarding your Mom a little - not so much your Dad as most dogs see men as the pack leader.
ReplyDeleteWay to go mum and dad. We think the most important thing is diversion and control. Pity here some people have no idea. All in all we are lucky. Oz we think you deserve to enjoy the great outdoors too and your peeps sure have it sussed. Have a tremendous Thursday.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes Molly
Glad to see you still get to travel! Reactive dogs should definitely get to have fun experiences. When Kaeto was with us, we took him a lot of places even though he was dog reactive. The barking or growling can be embarrassing, but it's worth it to get your dog out. We became very skilled in distraction techniques and controlling the environment as well.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like your parents have a great plan in place, Oz. I'm glad that your reactivity doesn't stop them from letting you travel with them! I'm sure you are all happier when you are together, so that makes it worth any episodes they might have to deal with.
ReplyDeleteJan, Wag 'n Woof Pets
I hope you will have a great time, Oz and I can't wait to hear about your adventures. I'm sometimes reactive too, specially when we meet a black dog (but not always). It's not easy to solve that problem, without knowing the reason. Mom says I'm a miracle... yes, Iam a silvermistygrey mystery :o)
ReplyDeleteNo, we are not travel savey...I would travel well, and maybe angus but not Maggie.
ReplyDeletestella rose
BOL!! Have I traveled? You KNOW me OZ! I have traveled a lot for a dog: by train, by plane, by bus, and by car. I have even ridden a monorail, a carousel, a go-cart, and a ferry boat at an amusement park. Most of the places I go don't have many dogs, so my issue isn't obvious. However, when we go to a dog friendly event, EVERYONE hears me arrive. I enter in full bark - because I see, hear, and smell so many other dogs that I am nervous. Poms bark when we are nervous, it's just how we are.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Pepper
Your per parents loves you OZ and doing such a pawsome job. We encounters some reactive dogs on our travels, good n bad. We are always careful on how to say "hello" to other dogs. Golden Woofs
ReplyDeleteERNIE gets sorta Reactive when he is in the No Walkin Wagon... and big dogs come up to him... He does OK on the Walkin String though...
ReplyDeleteTakin your Puzzle toy along is a GRRRREAT idea.
Mom says we do pretty good but sometimes Stanley gets a bit nutty if I am talking to a new dog or peep and he can't get to them (cuz dad has to hold him back cuz he wants to jump all over them and kiss them on the lips).
ReplyDeleteYour Pals,
Murphy & Stanley
Mayorz For All Paws
Hey Oz!
ReplyDeleteWow, I must be totally honest and bark that I go totally ape sh*t berzerk whenever I see a stranger or another critter! Oh, I'm terrible. I try to bash everyone. Makes my peeps shake their heads...and hang their heads in shame. BOL Anyway, I love that blue bone toy and I want one!!
Grr and Woof,
Sarge, Police Commish
You are very lucky to be a travel guide with the pawrents. We usually go on day trips but are planning on an over nighter
ReplyDeleteLily & Edward
Us girls do pretty good, but Bailey can be reactive with other dogs, which then gets us girls going sometimes too.
ReplyDeletehugs
Mr Bailey, Hazel & greta
You have some wonder parents, Oz!!!
ReplyDeleteOMDs Oz you visited our beautiful NC mountains and stayed in a hotel. Boy you are one good traveler and I'm kinda envious. I have never stayed in a hotel anywhere.
ReplyDeletelots of hugs madi your bfff
Well we think you do darn good Oz!
ReplyDeleteUntil Honey came into my life, my previous dogs were all reactive. And I have traveled with all of them.
ReplyDeleteYou gave some good tips for leash reactivity. I once wrote my own tips on How to Vacation With Reactive Dogs Without Pooping In The Woods. Some people think camping is your only option.
Very good advice Oz! Although I don't have that problem, when I meet another dog if they're excited or barking, or reacting, I stay way clear of them! Love Dolly
ReplyDeleteTraveling is no problem, but I have my issues when I'm in a crowd mixed with dogs. Mom has to keep a close eye on me and keep me focused away from the dogs.
ReplyDeleteWonderful advice Oz...We are going to try the treat puzzle with Mr. Arty!!
ReplyDeleteSmileys!
Dory, Jakey, Arty & Bilbo
Thank you for sharing this post Oz.
ReplyDeleteOne of my huskies, Lexus, does not like the car! She gets very scared any time she has to go for a car ride, which makes it difficult to bring her along on road trips. My other two huskies LOVE road trips!!!
ღ husky hugz ღ frum our pack at Love is being owned by a husky!
These are great things to keep in mind with any reactive dog. Toy puzzles are a great idea!!
ReplyDeleteWhat great advice, so glad they know what to do when you are out and about, no sense that you should stay home.
ReplyDeleteThe last two times I took the boys out, they were so well behaved! I was really proud of them. The last walk we took, we didn't run into any other dogs so that really helped. It was surprising that we didn't see any on that trail, as there are usually several.
ReplyDeleteSounds like you have a great time traveling with your parents Oz! We travel great in the RV, but Chloe does not like to travel in the car...she sometimes gets sick.
ReplyDeleteHey Oz!
ReplyDeleteWow, I just wanted to stop back by to thank you again for hosting Travel Safety for us and for working up the cool blog hops for Safety Week! Your post was really cool and I like that tip about finding a dogtor near your destination in case of emergency. Thanks so much for your hard work, my furiend. You will be entered in the Host Appreciation Drawing for a cool prize. Random drawing to be held on Monday, August 18th.
Grr and Woof,
Sarge, Police Commish
I never would have thought to bring our dog puzzles with us. What a great idea!
ReplyDeleteWags (and purrs) from Life with Dogs and Cats
We've got a puzzle game for Sheba it comes in handy during the winter months when she's not as active outside.
ReplyDeleteSheba.
Rita is the same - very reactive to some dogs but not all. We are getting her DNA test done - we have wondered before if she has some terrier in her. Good to know we should definitely mentally as well as physically tire her out. We have an upcoming trip scheduled, so we'll see how it goes... Fingers and paws crossed!
ReplyDeleteSounds like your parents have a good system for your camping trips. I'm happy they've made it such a priority to share these experiences with you. Lucky terrier.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree, reactive dogs should get to do fun stuff too! Thanks for hosting the hop!
You have a good plan. I like the idea of zig-zagging. That makes a lot of sense.
ReplyDelete