Reactivity is very common - and we're here to help

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 Does your normally sweet dog bark and lunge at other dogs when you’re out on walks? Does your dog seem so excited to meet another person or dog that they “lose it” and sound like the Tasmanian Devil? Do you feel embarrassed, angry, or annoyed by your dog's behavior on walks? 

If this sounds familiar, your dog might be experiencing reactivity. Reactivity is really just a dog reacting to things in their environment in a way that is over and above what we believe the situation dictates. As with so many things in behavior, there is no one simple answer that explains every case. One thing I can say for certain is that it’s an incredibly common problem. Given the social stigma and embarrassment often associated with being the owner of “that dog,” it can be a relief to know that you’re not alone! In fact, it might surprise you to know that leash reactivity is by far the most frequent training issue that I am asked to help with.

The truth is, leash reactivity isn’t really a training issue at all, like jumping on people or not coming when called – it’s an emotional problem. Our dogs are in a situation they don’t know how to cope with and are doing the best they can. Some dogs are upset because they want to greet others SO BADLY but can’t; other dogs are simply fearful. The good news is that, at the end of the day, it doesn’t matter why they react this way – the end result is the same, and so is our approach to treatment. 

Most reactive dogs act this way because they are fearful or uncomfortable – the barking, lunging, snarling, etc. is their attempt to make the scary or stressful thing GO AWAY as quickly as possible. It stands to reason, then, that we have to address your dog’s fear and/or stress if we want to change the behavior. Which brings me to a very important point – as much as you might feel like you should, please don’t ever punish your dog for reacting this way! Remember that what you are seeing (barking and lunging) is his way of communicating that s/he is uncomfortable. Verbal corrections, leash pops, or shock collar corrections do nothing to teach him or her better coping skills, and they often worsen the underlying anxiety that is causing the problem.

Are you ready to get started today? We can make walks stress-free and fun for you again. Click below or email Adrienne to get started.