Every dog has their own personality, and some are a bit more on edge than others. Reactive dogs display warning behaviors like growling, barking, or bristling at the sight of “triggers” that make them feel uncomfortable. Training reactivity out of a dog is all about turning perceived threats into positive associations. We spoke with dog trainers and behavior experts to bring you the best tips on training your reactive dog, making them more comfortable in their daily life, and understanding why reactivity happens.
Things You Should Know
- Identify what triggers your dog’s reactivity, like other dogs, people, or certain clothing, and try to avoid those triggers as you walk your dog or go about your day.
- Offer your dog treats, toys, and positive encouragement when you encounter a trigger, and keep doing so until the trigger is out of view.
- Work on basic commands like “sit,” “stay,” and “heel,” to build trust with your dog and make them more comfortable and receptive to your reactivity training.
Steps
Reducing Reactive Behavior
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Start by mastering basic commands like “sit” and “stay.” Train your dog in the fundamentals to get a good foundation and build trust between you. Reactivity is much easier to address if your dog more consistently responds to everyday commands. [1] X Research source
- Dog behavior and training expert Haley Yates adds, “If you teach the dog [commands] and give the dog a job, they start to feel so much more secure.”
- Other useful general commands include down, come, and leave it.
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Identify what triggers your dog’s reactivity. Reactive dogs are often responding to certain stimuli, like other dogs, or anything from hats to certain toys to even certain breeds. [2] X Trustworthy Source American Kennel Club The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show. Go to source Take note of when and why your dog becomes reactive so that you can address the actual problem.
- Dog trainer David Levin adds, “First identify the threshold at which the dog can no longer responsively work with you around that stimulus…You want to stay under that line.”
- Some reactive dogs may become that way while resource guarding, or protecting food or toys that they instinctively think are scarce.
- These triggers may be caused by experiences in the dog’s past, or be instinctual or breed-specific.
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Teach your dog to “check-in” and regularly look at you. In your home, stand with your dog on a leash. Don’t give any commands, and every time your dog looks at you, offer them praise and a training treat . [3] X Research source Then, practice this while outside on a walk.
- This keeps your dog’s attention on you, rather than possible triggers, which both distracts them and makes it easier to give commands.
- Do this training for 5 minutes at a time each day, until your dog regularly “checks in” with you while walking.
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Establish a “positive interrupt” noise to get your dog’s attention. Choose a noise that’ll be your go-to to distract your dog from triggers, like a kissing noise or a brief, low whistle. Make the noise, then offer your dog a treat. Repeat this for 5-10 minutes each day, until your dog consistently responds. [4] X Research source
- This gives you an easy way to command your dog’s attention if and when they become reactive.
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Train your dog to stand or walk at your side on a leash. While inside, or in a private yard, have your dog sit at your side while saying a command like “heel.” Once they’re in position, praise them and offer them a treat, or use a clicker . This lets them know exactly where you want them when you’re walking. [5] X Research source
- Once they get that down, take a step forward and repeat the command, and reward them when they follow you at your side.
- Continue doing this for 5-10 minutes at a time, once or twice a day, until they can walk by your side on command.
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Practice distracting your dog from its triggers. When you encounter a trigger on a walk or in your daily life, get your dog’s attention with your positive interrupt noise and offer continuous treats until the trigger is out of sight. [6] X Research source Don’t wait for your dog to react; be proactive.
- Certified dog trainer and behavior consultant Emily Fleisher explains, “What ends up happening is that the dog learns…‘I see this [trigger] and it pays to look away. And number two, yay, a [trigger], I get cookies!’”
- Don’t go out of your way to find triggers, and make sure you have complete control of your dog at all times.
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Approach the triggers slowly as long as your dog is calm. When introducing dogs to other dogs, or to their triggers, only advance as long as your dog is calm. If your dog barks, lunges, growls, or shows other reactive behavior, you’ve gone too far, too fast. [7] X Research source
- Lead them away and block their view until they calm down, then continue on your walk.
- Avoid punishing your dog for reactive behavior , which tells them that encountering their triggers causes punishment, making them more reactive.
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Work with a professional trainer to help stubborn dogs. A professional dog trainer has plenty of experience with reactive behavior, and is armed with a number of tools and strategies to divert and discourage it. If you’re feeling stuck or frustrated, a trainer may be your best option. [8] X Research source
Signs of Reactivity
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Take note of behaviors like whining, growling, or bristling. Keep an eye on your dog’s body language, and remove them from the situation if they show signs of reactivity or aggression. These include: [15] X Trustworthy Source American Kennel Club The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show. Go to source
- Barking
- Tucking their tail
- Showing the whites of their eyes
- Intense eye contact or nose pointing
- Showing their teeth
- Tensed muscles with their weight positioned forward
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Rest easy when your dog shows friendly signs like tail wagging. Knowing the telltale behaviors of a relaxed dog helps you understand when your training is making progress, and when your dog is happy and comfortable around their triggers. These signs include: [16] X Trustworthy Source American Kennel Club The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show. Go to source
- “Happy” expression with an open mouth
- Play bowing
- Relaxed ears
- Rolling over
- Blinking often
- Relaxed muscles
Expert Q&A
Tips
- Walking your dog in the company of another person or dog that they trust can go a long way toward making them feel more calm and comfortable. [19] X Research sourceThanks
- If your dog doesn’t respond to treats, use other rewards it does find enticing, like toys or attention. [20] X Research sourceThanks
Expert Interview
Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about dogs, check out our in-depth interview with David Levin .
References
- ↑ https://woodgreen.org.uk/pet-advice/dog/ask-the-experts-a-training-guide-for-reactive-dog-owners/
- ↑ https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/training/reactivity-vs-aggression/
- ↑ https://www.blueridgehumane.org/ask-crystal-reactive-dog-101/
- ↑ https://www.blueridgehumane.org/ask-crystal-reactive-dog-101/
- ↑ https://www.blueridgehumane.org/ask-crystal-reactive-dog-101/
- ↑ https://k9ti.org/blog/6-tips-for-walking-a-reactive-dog/
- ↑ https://k9ti.org/blog/6-tips-for-walking-a-reactive-dog/
- ↑ https://dogacademy.org/blog/reactive-dog-training/
- ↑ https://www.blueridgehumane.org/ask-crystal-reactive-dog-101/
- ↑ https://dogacademy.org/blog/reactive-dog-training/
- ↑ https://www.animalhumanesociety.org/resource/managing-leash-reactive-dog
- ↑ https://dogacademy.org/blog/reactive-dog-training/
- ↑ https://k9ti.org/blog/6-tips-for-walking-a-reactive-dog/
- ↑ https://woodgreen.org.uk/pet-advice/dog/ask-the-experts-a-training-guide-for-reactive-dog-owners/
- ↑ https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/training/reactivity-vs-aggression/
- ↑ https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/training/reactivity-vs-aggression/
- ↑ https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/training/reactivity-vs-aggression/
- ↑ https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/training/reactivity-vs-aggression/
- ↑ https://k9ti.org/blog/6-tips-for-walking-a-reactive-dog/
- ↑ https://dogacademy.org/blog/reactive-dog-training/
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