A Guide for Dealing with a Reactive Dog

As professional dog trainers who specialises in dog reactivity, I know first-hand how overwhelming and isolating it can feel to walk a reactive dog. Whether it’s lunging, barking, growling, or shutting down completely, reactivity can strain even the strongest bonds between dog and owner.

But let me be clear — reactivity is not a life sentence. With the right knowledge, strategies, and support system in place, your dog can improve dramatically. More importantly, your relationship with them can become stronger than ever before.

This guide is here to offer insight, encouragement, and most importantly — a path forward.

What is Reactivity in Dogs?

Reactivity refers to a heightened, often emotional response to specific triggers. Common triggers include:

• Other dogs
• Strangers
• Bicycles or runners
• Loud noises
• Certain environments (like the vet’s office)

These behaviours are not the same as aggression, although they can sometimes look similar. Reactive behaviour is typically rooted in fear, anxiety, frustration, or a lack of coping mechanisms.

Many reactive dogs aren’t trying to be “naughty” — they’re simply overwhelmed. Understanding this is key to helping them move forward.

Common Causes of Dog Reactivity

Reactivity is not caused by one factor alone. Some of the most common underlying causes include:

• Lack of early socialisation during critical development periods
• Previous trauma or negative experiences
• Inconsistent handling or training methods
• Genetic predisposition (some breeds are more naturally sensitive or vigilant)
• Underlying pain or health issues

A reactive dog is often a stressed dog — and it’s our job as handlers and trainers to teach them new, healthier ways to cope.

Step 1: Observation and Understanding

Before you can change a behaviour, you need to understand why it’s happening and when. Keep a journal of your dog’s reactive episodes and note the following:

• What was the trigger?
• Where were you?
• How far away was the trigger?
• What was your dog’s body language before, during, and after?
• What happened immediately after the reaction?

Patterns will emerge that help you and your trainer identify thresholds, escalation points, and recovery time — all vital to building a training plan.

Step 2: Managing the Environment

While training is ongoing, your first responsibility is preventing your dog from practicing reactive behaviour.

Avoid trigger stacking, where multiple stressful experiences build up and overwhelm your dog. Instead, manage exposure carefully:

• Cross the road to avoid oncoming dogs or people
• Use visual barriers like parked cars, hedges, or fences
• Train at quieter times of day when your dog has more space
• Utilise distance: space is your greatest training tool

Avoiding triggers isn’t “giving in” — it’s providing relief while you work on emotional change through training.

Step 3: Behaviour Modification Techniques

Counter-Conditioning and Desensitisation

These are the backbone of reactivity training. In short:

• Desensitisation = exposing your dog to their trigger at a low intensity they can handle
• Counter-conditioning = pairing that exposure with something positive (high-value treats, praise, toys)

Over time, we change the dog’s emotional response from “I’m scared!” to “This means good things happen.”

Example:

• Your dog sees another dog 20 metres away (far enough to remain calm)
• You immediately mark and reward calm behaviour with something high-value
• Repeat over time, gradually decreasing distance

Consistency is key here — progress happens in layers, not leaps.

Alternative Behaviours and Focus Work

We don’t just want to suppress reactivity; we want to replace it with something more appropriate.

• Teach a reliable “look at me” cue
• Practice emergency u-turns
• Reward calm behaviour around triggers
• Use pattern games (like Leslie McDevitt’s “1-2-3 walk” or “Up-Down” game) to add predictability

These tools give your dog something to do, rather than something to react to.

Threshold Training

Always work under your dog’s threshold. If they’re already barking or lunging, you’re too close. Move back, give space, and try again. Success happens at a level where your dog feels safe enough to learn.

Step 4: Support from a Professional

You should never feel like you have to do this alone. A qualified behaviourist or dog trainer with experience in reactivity and behaviour modification can:

• Accurately assess your dog’s needs and emotional state
• Design a tailored plan that works for your lifestyle
• Guide you through the difficult moments
• Prevent things from becoming worse through well-meaning trial and error

At Next Level Dog Training, we use balanced methods rooted in science and compassion. We focus on helping you understand your dog, not just control them.

Step 5: Consistency, Routine, and Emotional Safety

Reactive dogs thrive on:

• Predictable routines
• Clear communication
• Calm environments
• Gentle leadership

Make your home a safe space. Use enrichment (puzzle toys, sniff walks, scatter feeding) to help meet your dog’s needs. Ensure all handlers use the same cues and strategies. Consistency builds trust.

What You Can Do at Home

Here are a few simple, effective ways to start helping your reactive dog today:

• Ditch long walks full of triggers. Instead, take multiple short walks at quieter times.
• Play scent games in the garden to reduce stress and build focus.
• Teach a hand target — it’s a great way to redirect attention and build engagement.
• Use a longline and harness to give controlled freedom while keeping your dog safe.
• Train calm marker cues — such as rewarding relaxed posture or quiet observation.

Progress Looks Different for Every Dog

Some dogs will improve quickly, others will take more time. It’s important to celebrate small wins:

• Your dog chooses to look at you instead of barking
• You walked past a trigger without an outburst (even from far away)
• Your dog settles in the house after a walk rather than pacing

These are all signs of a more emotionally stable dog.

The Human Side: Supporting Yourself

Working with a reactive dog can be draining. It’s okay to feel discouraged, frustrated, or tired.

• Join a support group
• Speak with a trainer regularly
• Don’t compare your dog to others
• Celebrate progress, not perfection

You are your dog’s advocate — and that role matters more than you know.

Reactivity is not the end of the road — it’s a challenge, yes, but also an opportunity. With a structured approach, professional guidance, and daily commitment, your dog can learn to feel safe and make better choices.

More importantly, you and your dog can learn to understand each other more deeply. There is nothing more powerful than that.

If you’re ready to get help, we offer specialist one-to-one sessions and residential dog training tailored to reactivity. Contact us — we’re here to help you every step of the way.

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