Reactivity

Reactivity

“Reactivity” is a general term which means your dog overreacts to a stimulus in the environment. The most common things a dog may react to include other dogs, people, children, bikes, etc. These are generally called “triggers” by dog trainers.

Dogs can be reactive for many different reasons, and it’s important that you have a qualified dog trainer or behaviourist help you identify why your dog reacts in order to overcome this issue with training. Dogs always react for a reason; they are not simply “naughty” or trying to pick a fight because they are disobedient. The most common reasons for reactivity include anxiety, frustration, underlying pain/health issues, and previous trauma.

Some dogs also react because the behaviour has become “learned.” This is when there was an underlying cause previously, and the dog, through repetition, has learned that reacting is an effective way to achieve their goal. For example, your dog reacts every time someone passes by their window; the person continues walking by, and the dog thinks their behaviour has been successful – the person has gone! Well done me!

The most important thing with reactivity is to contact a qualified trainer as soon as it starts. It can be easy to get on top of if caught quickly but becomes harder to rectify if left to become a habit.

Reactivity on Lead

One of the most common types of reactivity that owners struggle with is “on lead” reactivity. Being constrained by a lead can exacerbate reactivity.

  • If your dog is nervous or in pain, being on a lead takes away your dog’s ability to flee if it feels threatened. In situations where they would naturally choose to move away, they are now forced to stay close. This can make a dog who would naturally choose avoidance (the flight response) more likely to react aggressively (the fight response) in an attempt to make the trigger go away.
  • If your dog is a social butterfly, being on lead can increase frustration, as they cannot approach and engage. This can also appear aggressive with lunging and barking, but this reaction also tends to include more frustrated high-pitched noises.

This does not mean that your reactive dog should not be on lead. Leads are crucial for safety, especially if you have a dog that is reactive. Talk to your local qualified trainer who can help you learn lead handling skills and training techniques to help your dog cope.

Management

So, your dog is reactive on lead. What do you do now?

  • Contact a qualified trainer: This is the most important step in helping your dog overcome their reactivity. Reactivity does not go away on its own, and if your dog is anxious, continuing to expose them to the trigger in the hope that they “get used to it” is often a recipe for disaster!
  • Manage your dog well: Until you see your trainer, the best thing you can do in the short term is stop putting your dog in situations where they will react. This is not a solution and will not make your dog’s reactivity go away, but it will prevent reactivity becoming a habit and help your dog decompress from the stress until you can get further help.

Reactivity at Home

One of the most common reasons for reactivity at home is in response to signals that there may be someone passing or entering the dog’s safe space. This could be the doorbell going for deliveries, when they hear the neighbour’s dog bark, or when they see children pass the front window.

Tips to manage reactivity at home:

  • Block visuals to the window: If your dog barks out of the window, use blinds, shutters, or opaque window film that still lets light through.
  • Reduce noise distractions: If your dog barks at noises, leaving the radio on quietly or using white noise machines can help reduce outside noise.
  • Limit access to the front door: Ensure your dog doesn’t have access to the front door area. Place a baby gate halfway down your hallway so that your dog can see what’s going on but cannot reach delivery men or guests as they arrive.

If you are seeing aggression from your dog within the home, towards yourself, other family members, guests, or children, it’s crucial you seek help from a qualified trainer or behaviourist as soon as possible as this can develop into a very dangerous situation.

Can My Dog’s Reactive Behaviour at Home Improve?

A good trainer will aim to change the association with their triggers to something more positive. For example, a dog can be taught that the doorbell means go to their bed or crate, rather than run at the front door and bark.

What to look for in a trainer:

  • Avoid trainers who will simply try to “stop” behaviour at the surface level. Instead, look for qualified trainers who will help you understand why your dog is doing what they are doing and teach them alternative behaviours instead.

This can take time but is very achievable with the right training.

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