Does your dog respond to environmental situations? It can be tough to have a temperamental dog, not knowing what the triggers are for reactive dog behaviour. However, there are steps you can take! 

Understanding behaviour patterns and triggers can help you realise when and how your dog is likely to have reactive behaviour. We outline what the triggers could be, spotting the signs and if reactive dog training can really help.

What Is Reactive Dog Behaviour?

Reactive dog behaviour is when your dog expresses different behaviours in response to certain situations or emotions. It is usually out of feeling uncomfortable which can trigger a response. This could be seen in a variety of forms such as hyperactivity, out-of-control behaviours or scared and shyness. Your dog can feel many emotions such as stress and anxiety about their environment, so it is not just one situation or feeling that can indicate reactive behaviour. 

Environmental factors that can cause reactive behaviour include:

  • Strangers approaching them or the house or their space in the home 
  • Sudden loud noises 
  • Other dogs or animals 
  • Limited exposure and overly sheltered 
  • Exposure to violence or have had a bad experience previously

Other factors that can cause reactive behaviour are:

  • If they experience traumatic events during the development in the puppy stage 
  • Long or short-term illnesses 
  • Certain breeds are more likely to be reactive

Spotting The Signs When Of Dog Is Being Reactive

Reactive behaviour can be personal to your dog about how they respond to the situation and can happen at any time. Your dog can be at home or on and off the leash. Common signs can include the following: 

  • Sudden change in tail movement 
  • Barking or growling 
  • Lunging forwards – often not aggressively but often to break free from restriction
  • Bending of the ears
  • Still or tense movements 
  • Excessive and sudden sniffing around them 
  • Overly vigilant 
  • Hiding behind you or objects 
  • Jumping up at you or bouncing around 
  • Staring 
  • Starting to pant when there is no change in activity levels 
  • Hunched posture 

Tips For Managing Reactive Dog Behaviour 

Reactive dog behaviour can be managed with reactive dog training and tips to help calm a dog down. 

1. Ensure Your Dog Has Basic Obedience Training 

Dog obedience training is key to getting your dog to understand and watch for your commands. When out of the home, especially, knowing your dog is responsive to recall and basic commands such as sit and stay will ease your feelings about reactive behaviour. It also gives you an element of control back, as you can be calm and carry out the commands as usual. 

2. Know The Triggers 

You can monitor and mark any triggers in the home or outside on walks to see if there are any patterns or specific ones you need to work with first. By having this information, you can anticipate your dog’s reaction to counteract the behaviour when needed. 

3. Replace Their Reactions 

With obedience training, you can slowly replace negative behaviours with positive ones. Once you anticipate a reactive behaviour or stressful situation, you can teach your dog to sit or lay until the trigger has disappeared or is under control. 

4. Utilise Treats 

One of the best dog training methods is positive reinforcement. If you are out of the home, ensure you have access to dog treats at all times to reward good behaviour or use them as a distraction along with obedience commands. 

5. Don’t Be Negative 

Negative behaviours and words will have the opposite effect on reactive dog behaviour. Tugging at the leash or raising your voice for example will only heighten the emotion and stress that your dog is feeling. 

 

 

What Is Reactive Dog Training? 

Reactive dog training will help address the responses your dog has to environmental triggers. If you have tried and tried to ease reactive behaviour, getting specialist training may be key to counteracting negative responses. 

This type of dog training will look at the underlying causes and your dog’s reactions to tailor a learning plan to help modify these behaviours. 

By getting reactive dog training you benefit from increased confidence outside of the home, ease of negative behaviours, a stronger bond and overall peace of mind that situations won’t escalate with those around you. 

Reactive Dog Training With A&T Trained Dogs 

Here at A&T Trained Dogs, we are dog training specialists with expertise in obedience, socialisation and creating bespoke training plans for your dog. With group classes or one-to-one training, we help you create a stronger bond with your dog with improved behaviours. 

With a large indoor and outdoor facility based in Lancaster, our experienced trainers will create a tailored plan to suit your needs. Call us on 01524 587315 or contact us online to discuss your reactive dog training needs.