Why Dogs React and How Our Actions Can Impact Their Behaviour
Dog reactivity can be challenging for owners, often involving barking, lunging, or growling when a dog encounters certain triggers, like other dogs, people, or moving vehicles. Understanding what causes reactivity and how our own behaviour can influence our dogs is key to helping them manage their responses better.
Why Dogs React
Fear and Anxiety Many dogs react because they feel threatened or overwhelmed by a specific trigger. A dog may become reactive out of fear, trying to create distance from something they perceive as a danger. This fear can stem from a lack of socialisation, past traumatic experiences, or an innate sensitivity to new or unpredictable situations.
Frustration Sometimes, reactivity is driven by frustration, especially in dogs who are eager to interact but can't reach the trigger. For example, a dog who loves playing with other dogs may become reactive on a lead because they can't greet a dog across the street. This frustration can build up and lead to barking or lunging as a way of releasing pent-up energy.
Genetics and Breed Traits Some breeds are more prone to specific behaviours that may contribute to reactivity. Herding breeds, for example, can be sensitive to movement and may react intensely to passing cars or joggers. While training can help, understanding that certain reactivity levels might be hardwired can help us manage our expectations and develop patience with the process.
Overstimulation or High Arousal Arousal levels in dogs can also contribute to reactivity. If a dog is overstimulated or “wound up” by an environment filled with noise, smells, and activity, they’re more likely to react to even minor triggers. This over-arousal might be influenced by previous activities, such as vigorous play, or from environments that provide constant stimulation, like crowded parks or busy streets.
How Owners Can Unintentionally Contribute to Reactivity
As owners, our reactions to a dog's reactivity can either help calm them or exacerbate the behaviour. Here are some ways our actions can influence our dog’s responses:
Tension on the Lead When we see a potential trigger ahead, our instinct might be to tighten the lead or pull our dog close. However, this tension communicates to the dog that something stressful or concerning is happening, adding to their anxiety or frustration. They may feel they have no freedom to respond naturally, which can increase their stress and, ultimately, their reactive behaviour.
Owner Anxiety Dogs are incredibly perceptive to human emotions and can pick up on our stress or anxiety. If we become nervous about an approaching dog or person, our body language and tone of voice might signal to our dog that there’s something to worry about, triggering a reactive response.
Inconsistent Training Cues Using inconsistent commands or cues can also contribute to confusion, which may make a dog more likely to react. For example, if we sometimes allow our dog to greet another dog and sometimes pull them away abruptly, they won’t know what to expect, leading to frustration or anxiety. Reactivity management is more effective when we maintain consistent cues and boundaries, so the dog knows exactly what’s expected of them.
Lack of Attention to Body Language We may miss subtle signs of our dog's discomfort, like lip licking, yawning, or turning their head away, which can escalate if ignored. Learning to recognise these early signals allows us to intervene before the dog reaches a point where they feel they have no choice but to react. Redirecting them early with a calming technique, like a pattern game or reward-based focus exercise, can help them feel supported and safe.
Tips to Help Dogs with Reactivity
Use Calm, Positive Reinforcement Reward your dog for calm behaviour around triggers, no matter how small the success. Positive reinforcement helps them associate the trigger with something pleasant, gradually reducing their reactive response over time.
Practise Engagement Exercises A Technique that Encourages your dog to look at the trigger calmly and then redirect their focus back to you, is powerful tool for reactive dogs. building trust and helping them manage their emotions in triggering situations.
Understand Your Dog’s Threshold Each dog has a threshold where they feel comfortable around a trigger. Recognising this distance can help you avoid situations that push them into reactivity. Gradually work within their comfort zone, slowly decreasing the distance over time as they build confidence.
Stay Relaxed and Confident Remain calm and assertive when you encounter a trigger. Try not to react strongly or tighten the lead, and focus instead on guiding your dog through the situation with cues they know well. Your calm demeanour will help reassure them that there’s no need to worry.
Seek Professional Guidance if Needed If your dog’s reactivity feels overwhelming, I can help. As a professional dog trainer I provides personalised strategies tailored to your dog’s needs. To help you build the skills and confidence needed to navigate triggers effectively, fostering a calmer and happier relationship with your dog. Reach out today for expert guidance and support.
Conclusion
Reactivity in dogs is often a result of a combination of factors, including fear, frustration, overstimulation, and sometimes even genetics. However, as dog owners, our responses can make a significant difference. By staying calm, using positive reinforcement, and being mindful of our own reactions, we can support our dogs in managing their emotions. Through patience and consistent training, it’s possible to help reactive dogs build confidence and develop healthier, calmer responses to the world around them.
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