DOG REACTIVITY

WHAT IS DOG REACTIVITY?

Dog reactivity refers to a dog's exaggerated or over-the-top response to certain stimuli, such as other dogs, people, vehicles, or even specific sounds or objects. These responses can often appear as aggressive behaviour, but reactivity is not necessarily the same as aggression.

A reactive dog may bark excessively, lunge, growl, or display other signs of distress, anxiety, or frustration when they encounter certain triggers.

Reactivity in dogs is commonly misunderstood, and many dog owners may mistake it for aggression, but it more often stems from fear, anxiety, or excitement. A reactive dog might behave this way because they don't know how to manage their emotions in stressful situations.

The good news is that with Behavioural Dog Training, these behaviours can be significantly reduced and even eliminated!

WHAT DOES DOG REACTIVITY LOOK LIKE?

The signs of a reactive dog can vary from individual to individual, but the most common behaviours include:

Barking: Excessive or continuous barking in response to a trigger.
Lunging: Trying to pull toward or away from a trigger, often with force.
Growling: A vocalisation that typically indicates discomfort or anxiety.
Snapping: Quick, sudden movements in an attempt to warn, deter or correct the trigger.
Whining or Yipping: Vocalisations that may indicate distress, anxiety or fear.
Tense Body Language: Stiff posture, fixation or raised hackles.
Avoidance: A dog may try to turn away or move in the opposite direction from a trigger.

Reactive behaviour can manifest in many situations, such as when your dog is on a walk and encounters another dog, sees a stranger approaching, or when they hear a loud noise.

Reactivity can also occur within the home, when a stranger walks by the front window, guests come over or the postie comes with a delivery.

CAUSES OF DOG REACTIVITY:

Understanding the root cause of your dog's reactivity is crucial for addressing it effectively. Here are some of the most common reasons why a dog might become reactive:

Fear or Anxiety: A dog might become reactive if they feel threatened or overwhelmed by a situation, person, or other animal. This can be "nature based" - due to your dogs natural proclivity to anxiety, or "nurture based" - due to your dogs environment.
Lack of Socialisation: Dogs who haven’t had proper exposure to various people, environments, or other dogs during their critical developmental stages may grow up fearful and reactive. We see this more often with rescue dogs where the dogs history is unknown or with "COVID dogs" where pandemic lockdowns prevented normal socialisation.
Past Trauma: Previous negative experiences, such as being attacked by another dog or having an abusive or frightening encounter with a person, can result in reactive behaviour.
Territorial Instincts: Some dogs are naturally more protective of their home or their people/pack and may react to perceived intruders.
Excitement: Sometimes, dogs exhibit reactivity because they’re overstimulated or overly excited by a trigger.

HOW CAN BEHAVIOURAL DOG TRAINING HELP?

The good news is that reactivity in dogs is not permanent. Through effective behavioral training, we can teach dogs how to manage their emotions and respond calmly to their triggers. Here are some ways that training can help rehabilitate your reactive dog:

1. Leadership

Human leadership can play a crucial role in alleviating reactivity in dogs, especially since not all dogs are naturally inclined to take on the role of a pack leader. When a dog feels uncertain about their position within a social structure, they may become anxious or reactive, trying to take control in situations where they don't feel secure. By stepping into the role of a calm, confident leader, the human provides the dog with the guidance and structure they need. This allows the dog to relax, knowing that they can trust their human to manage the situation. A strong, consistent leader helps reduce the dog’s need to be overly alert or reactive, as they begin to feel more secure in their environment and less responsible for managing every encounter or potential threat. With clear, confident leadership, the dog can focus on following commands and engaging calmly in their surroundings

2. Corrections

Calmly correcting your dog when they start to escalate into reactivity or misbehaviour helps them understand the appropriate way to respond to stress or triggers. Dogs thrive on clear rules and boundaries, as these are inherent in pack dynamics. By setting consistent expectations and calmly redirecting their behaviour, you're providing a sense of security and structure. This approach reduces anxiety, as the dog no longer feels the need to take control or react impulsively. When dogs understand that their human is in charge and can guide them, they feel more relaxed and confident in their ability to navigate the world.

We do not recommend any yelling, harsh tones or hard corrections as they can lead to our own escalation during episodes of reactivity, and add fuel to the fire. If we are not in control of our own emotions, we can't expect our dogs to be.

3. Desensitisation

Desensitisation involves exposing your dog to the trigger (e.g. other dogs or people) in a controlled and gradual manner, starting with less intense situations and slowly increasing the challenge. The aim is to have exposure to the trigger in a calm enough state that the dog can attend and learn. Over time, this process helps the dog become less reactive and more comfortable with the trigger.

4. Calm Feeding

Feeding your dog in a calm state of mind reinforces your role as the leader, which helps them feel safe and secure. When you wait for your dog to settle before feeding, you're teaching them that calm behaviour is rewarded, encouraging them to remain relaxed rather than escalate. When it comes to behavioural issues, we can't have the cake and eat it too - you can't expect your dog to stay calm when encountering a trigger or threat, yet reward them with excitement or over-stimulation at every meal. Reinforcing calmness during feeding helps establish clear boundaries and promotes a balanced, composed state of mind, making it easier for your dog to handle stress and behave appropriately in different or difficult situations.

5. Affection & Positive Reinforcement

Dogs don't use positive reinforcement to teach each other, so it makes it one of the most effective methods for teaching dogs to do all sorts of magical things! If we didn't have a motivator or reward, in the form of affection, praise, play or a treat, we couldn't easily teach dogs any commands or tricks. When it comes to rehabilitating a reactive dog, we can use positive reinforcement, primarily in the form of affection (as it creates the least amount of excitement), to reward our dogs when they're naturally in a calm state if mind, this can be at home, in the car or out on a walk.

6. Consistency and Patience

Behavioural dog training for reactivity doesn't take as long as other methods but consistency is key. Daily, passive practice with regular walks, feeding and affection will help your dog understand what behaviours are expected of them. It’s important to remain patient as your dog learns how to manage their reactivity.

WHY SEEK PROFESSIONAL HELP?

While some owners are able to successfully address reactivity on their own, many dogs benefit from the guidance of a professional dog trainer who specialises in behavioural issues.

A professional can assess your dog's behaviour, identify triggers, and create a customised training plan to help address their specific needs.

At The Good Hound Company, we specialise in working with reactive dogs, especially rescue dogs, by helping them build confidence and learn how to respond to triggers calmly.

Our training programs are tailored to each dog and household, focusing on Behavioural Dog Training but also drawing from Obedience and Positive Reinforcement techniques to ensure lasting results.

If your dog is struggling with reactivity, don’t wait - take action today! By investing in training, you’re helping your dog lead a happier, more balanced life while strengthening your bond with them.

Contact us or Book Online, and let’s start working on a plan to help your dog overcome reactivity and become the calm, well-behaved companion you’ve always wanted.

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