Reactive dog photo 1
Image courtesy of Laura Gendron, CPDT-KA, LFDM, FFCP
Reactivity is an emotional response to a change in the environment based on fear, anxiety, or frustration. Dogs can explode or implode due to their reactivity, meaning they can lash out (external response) or shut down (internal response). Regardless of the type of response, it is important to recognize that they are both emotional.
When you have a reactive dog, it’s easy to feel embarrassed, defeated, and frustrated. If you expect too much of your dog and put him in situations before he is ready, setbacks in the training process occur and no progress is made. Breaking down the training and behavior modification steps into steps helps provide a clear overall path to follow and patterns for predictability, thereby improving success rates.
These steps include:
1. Understanding
Knowing why your dog is having difficulty and what can be done realistically and practically to change his feelings and reactions is the first step. This understanding begins with recognizing when your dog is stressed through the interpretation of his body language. If you can determine whether they are trying to escape, avoid, or approach the trigger, you will gain insight into their motivation and prevent a reaction from occurring. This is also how you can identify what triggers your dog’s behavior.
2. Prevention and environmental management
Keeping your dog safe should be a priority. Managing the environment by avoiding triggers prevents your dog from practicing this behavior and stops the progression. With repeated exposure, your dog will have the opportunity to practice the unwanted behavior, potentially becoming rewarding. Therefore, this behavior is more likely to recur in the future, with more intensity and less advance warning.
For example, think about your dog’s reaction to another dog on a walk. When on leash, your dog may bark, growl or lunge at another dog, at a near or far distance. As your dog continues to react in this manner, the other dog moves away. What did your dog learn from this interaction? They learned that their behavior was successful in scaring the other dog, or that they might be frustrated because they never had the opportunity to meet the other dog. Regardless, they have had the opportunity to practice and refine this behavior for the next encounter, so the reaction will take less time and likely be more intense.
3. Develop basic behaviors at home
reactive dog photo 2
Image courtesy of Laura Gendron, CPDT-KA, LFDM, FFCP
Before you can begin any type of behavior modification, your dog must learn some fundamental behaviors. Teaching your dog to touch your hand with his nose, chin strap, reminder, And voluntary eye contact are all behaviors to rely on and use during the behavior modification process. Start by teaching your dog these behaviors in safe, low-distraction environments such as your living room, bedroom, or kitchen. Once they are learned in these locations, extend them to other areas of the house and your yard.
For example, if your reactive dog barks and lunges when he sees other dogs on a walk, think about what behavior you would prefer to see and how to keep your dog’s attention focused on you. These skills will be necessary if you hope to change your dog’s emotional response in this situation. Without core behaviors, your dog’s emotional brain is much more likely to override his thinking brain, meaning the behavior will be difficult to change.
4. Skill development in open, quiet spaces
Once your dog has learned the essential foundational behaviors, it’s time to start practicing them away from home. Safe, quiet locations with open space keep your dog a safe distance from triggers while you practice. This type of environment gives your dog the opportunity to sniff and explore, which also helps reduce stress and anxiety. Options such as open fields, abandoned or quiet parking lots, and yards or areas that can be rented (Sniff Spots) are great places to practice these new behaviors and work on your dog’s concentration and engagement with you.
reactive dog #3
Image courtesy of Laura Gendron, CPDT-KA, LFDM, FFCP
5. Controlled distraction
Once your dog responds to basic cues and you can keep his attention in a quiet, open space, plan an outing. Choose a controlled environment like a parking lot or meet a friend and their dog (if your dog is friendly with theirs). Make sure you have a solid plan and exit strategy.
Use a “touch” cue to guide your dog as you practice turning or walking away to avoid new people or dogs. As your dog becomes more comfortable and continues to interact with you, you can move closer to the triggers but avoid direct interaction.
Since you and your dog have practiced this behavior in less distracting environments, your dog should already know what to do. Keep these sessions short. If your dog becomes stressed, use your exit strategy and return to the previous step (open, quiet spaces) of this process.
reactive dog #4
Image courtesy of Laura Gendron, CPDT-KA, LFDM, FFCP
6. Practice in real-world settings
responsive photo #5
Image courtesy of Laura Gendron, CPDT-KA, LFDM, FFCP
Once you get to this point, it’s time for your dog to experience the real world and all the uncertainty that comes with it. As your dog’s coping skills develop and his comfort level improves, you will always need a plan and exit strategy. However, if your dog continues to struggle, remember that some dogs may be more comfortable at home and should not be expected to interact or make friends with everyone. If so, continue to enjoy your leisurely walks, take sniffing walks and play games in the yard instead.