Fear-based dog reactivityįear-based dog reactivity is often caused when nervous or uncertain dogs feel trapped in a certain situation. They either want to get away from something scary (this is fear-based reactivity) or want to get closer to something exciting (this is frustration-based reactivity). Typically, reactive dogs have one of two goals in mind. It’s important to be extra conscious of any additional stressors during this period! Figure out what causes your dog’s reactivity
Muzzle training for reactive dogs full#
When a dog goes over threshold, it can take one to two full days for their bodies to come down from the cortisol and adrenaline highs. If you’re able to control the trigger’s intensity and duration, that can work too (though is usually a little more difficult if you aren’t in a controlled training set up). This usually means working at a comfortable distance from the trigger where your dog knows it’s there but isn’t overwhelmed. The best way to work with a reactive dog is to keep them under threshold as much as possible. When they’re over threshold, though, they're reacting from fear or a predatory instinct and want to protect themselves or catch to kill. When a dog is under threshold, they’re able to control their behaviors and be aware of their surroundings (even if they seem a little aroused, nervous, or on edge). Your dog’s reactivity threshold is the point where they fully react to their triggers. Some dogs have a mild response while others react more intensely. There are also different levels of reactivity. Some dogs react to their triggers in all situations (for example, all dogs they see outside their home) while other dogs only react to more specific images (like pointy-eared dogs directly approaching them at a certain distance). Fast-moving object like cars, bikes, or skateboards.Animals like cats, rabbits, squirrels, and birds.Children, who can move quickly and erratically.Adult humans (especially strangers, people wearing strange clothing your dog hasn’t seen before or that is associated with a scary or threatening life experience, or approaching in a certain way).Dogs might become reactive to just about anything, but some common triggers are: Your dog’s triggers are the things that cause them to react. One who barks, growls, and lunges at every other dog they see out on a walk, on the other hand? They would be considered reactive. Reactivity generally encompasses a range of unwanted behaviors (barking, growling, lunging, jumping, pulling, and so on) in situations that typically don’t warrant them in our minds (triggers are behaving normally in a non threatening way) but that are overwhelming or scary to our dogs.īasically: Your puppy who woofs once or twice when startled? They wouldn’t be diagnosed with reactivity. While every living animal is constantly “reacting” to its environment - you might put on a sweatshirt when you notice you’re cold or head to open the door when you hear a knock - “reactive” is used in the dog training world to describe pets who overreact to stimuli in their environments.
Dog reactivity is a big topic with lots of associated terms. Here’s a comprehensive guide to getting on the right track with your reactive dog! Understand some key dog training terminologyįirst, let’s get our definitions straight. Reactivity is one of the most common behavior issues in modern dogs.
We know that working through dog reactivity can be overwhelming - but you’re not alone. Can your dog be helped? What’s causing their meltdowns? How do you sift through the mountains of training information online? Your dog has started showing reactivity - they’re barking, growling, lunging, and otherwise acting like a maniac with a bunch of rude behavior in the presence of certain triggers - and you don’t even know where to start. * All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *
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