Behavior IssuesPosted by aussie_shepard_mom

My Australian Shepherd lunges at bikes on walks - getting worse not better, help

Luna is 2 years old and has been reactive to bikes since she was about 8 months. At first it was manageable - just a bark and a lunge, i could redirect her. In the last 3 months it's gotten significantly worse. Now she starts pulling and whining even when she spots a bike from like half a block away, and when one actually passes she goes completely over threshold. Full bark-lunge-spin combo, can barely hold her.

We live in a neighborhood where bikes are constant, especially in summer. i've tried crossing the street before she sees them, increasing distance, treats during exposure. The treats thing kind of works when she's calm but the second she locks on to the bike she doesn't care about food at all. High value treats, low value treats, doesn't matter.

She's an aussie so the herding instinct is strong - i think it's partly that she wants to chase them. She does the same thing with skateboards and sometimes running kids. We did a basic obedience class when she was a puppy but nothing reactivity specific. I'm at the point where i dread taking her out.

Has anyone successfully worked through bike reactivity with a herding breed? Is a reactive dog specific trainer worth it or can this be done with the right approach at home?

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My Australian Shepherd lunges at bikes on walks - getting worse not better, help | WoofGate