Non aggressive reactivity

[u/false_frog]

I know I most likely need a professional trainer and I will be looking for one when I have extra funds, but any advice until then is appreciated. I have a 2 year old standard poodle female. She is not aggressive at all. She plays with other dogs fine, other dogs have even taken food right out of her mouth and zero reaction. The problem is she is very reactive to other dogs and with her larger than body bark it comes off very aggressive. I know it’s more a barrier/restraint thing as she only acts like this on leash or when there is a gate. She has been very socialized since a young puppy and this really only started being a thing since she’s been about 1.5 years old. I have tried so many things like distractions, avoidance to some degree, e collars and nothing has helped. I’m losing my mind here, she is actually extremely gentle but was maybe a Rottweiler in her past life as she is so loud even when playing. Advice?

[u/false_frog]

Pic of the gremlin. She’s a small standard only 40lbs but people have told me they thought I had a mastiff with her bark until they turn the corner and see this pink little poodle.

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[u/Cheap-Board-2873]

Find a trainer,  or watch them on YouTube,  and really just follow that method to a T. The person you follow has their own approach/method to handle reactivity.  Pick one that matches with your goals and personality.  Learn everything you can and then apply it to the dog.  You should see meaningful improvement within 2 weeks,  given you are actually trying.  Like 2 weeks from now you should see a difference. If it's like a month you're either doing it wrong or the method just sucks. Start there

[u/doggambit]

Definitely ditch the e-collar, as that will teach your dog that other dogs = pain. 

Look up LAT and BAT. Those two things will help get you started until you can afford a trainer. 

Ideally you catch your dog before they are reacting and are able to reinforce that calm. 

[u/Beginning-Rub5417]

It is hard to diagnose your dog fully, but it feels like frustration-based reactivity. Of course, there can always be some anxiety mixed into it.

There are loads of training methods out there LAT, BAT, engage/disengage- but I like to look at them from the point of "what is my dog's motivation?" If your dog is really frustrated and wants to meet the dog, going towards the dog could be the reward; if it is anxious, creating more distance could be the reward. If your dog has high toy motivation, playing tug could be the reward. I personally like tug as a reward, as it typically shifts the dog's complete focus and allows them to put some frustration/arousal into the toy.

Note that for any of them to work, you have to act before the dog reacts, so looking at your dog's body is important.

Also, something that may help: how much good sleep does your dog get? I like that my dogs have 18 hours of good sleep; Make sure your dog can rest in a space without distractions. Typically the middle of the living room is not the ideal place for sleep. Also, how much fulfilment does your dog get?