Reactive Dogs
Understanding and compassion for dogs showing reactivity.
Living with a reactive dog can be difficult and overwhelming. This sometimes isn't helped by other people's reaction to dogs who exhibit these behaviours.
Dogs who are reactive are not bad dogs; they are not nasty dogs. These can be dogs who are struggling with something that worries them or causes them a great deal of stress. This needs to be understood and the dog helped in a kind and positive way to change their feelings towards the things they find scary or frustrating. This can be achieved through positive training, patience and correct management.
If you see someone struggling with a reactive dog, please give their dog space and be patient while they use the techniques required to help their dog.
If you have a reactive dog, ensure you keep your dog safe by using a lead and comfortable 2-point harness. Reactive dogs are not aggressive dogs but when highly aroused a dog may show aggression as fear and frustration boil over. Keep this in mind if you end up too close to triggers for your dog. Muzzle train your dog and use one if you feel it is needed.
Be your dogs advocate, ask people to please give you space and use a yellow dog lead tag or information jacket to let people know your dog needs space.
Understand your dog and think of the good things they do; don't concentrate on the negative. Don't worry about what people think of your dog; if you are responsible with your dog it doesn't matter.
What is reactivity in dogs?
Dogs who show reactivity may overreact by growling, barking, lunging or snapping at triggers other dogs may not show such an extreme reaction to. Triggers for reactivity may be other dogs, people, moving vehicle, loud noises or other animals. Reactive dogs usually have a comfort zone in which they can cope with these triggers, this is usually a certain distance. The closer they get the worse the dogs reaction. Dogs who are too close to a trigger become unable to concentrate on anything other than that trigger and incapable of responding to their owners at this point.
Why do dogs shows reactivity?
A dog who is showing a reactive response is a dog who is struggling with overwhelming negative emotions. This over arousal may be caused by fear and anxiety, or frustration caused by over excitement to interact with the trigger.
Genetics, lack of socialisation, negative experiences and lack of confidence can all lead to dogs showing reactivity.
Leads prevent dogs from showing many of their natural behaviours; they can't escape, run away or show other conflict-resolving behaviours. They are often held back from greeting other dogs or people, and are forced to meet other dogs head on which is an unnatural and conflicting way to meet. Dogs who love to herd or chase can also become frustrated by the presence of a stimulus that triggers their chase/herd instinct; this includes anything moving such as cars, bikes, children - or even other dogs running.
Helping a reactive dog.
Find a positive dog trainer who will help you understand the reasons behind your dog's reactivity and show you how to correctly manage the behaviour, helping you train your dog to change their feelings and behaviours towards the triggers they react to.
Never punish a dog for reacting to a trigger, any negative emotions from you will only add to the already negative feelings the dog is having and will make the dog's feelings stronger, and the reaction worse in the long run.
Here at Oak Tree, our Training and Behaviour team run one to one training sessions where we can help you deal with problems you may be having with your dog. We have a lot of experience with reactive dogs and are here for any help and advice you may need.