The tools for managing your reactive dog can be applied as practical help, and although it may be challenging to manage a reactive dog, appropriate tools and techniques can aid in helping your furry friend become calmer and more manageable. Often, a reactive dog, with feelings of specific stress triggers, portrays it by barking or lunging during heightened emotions - this is what we can call "full bucket" moments.
During these scenarios, both the dog and owner often portray stressful behaviours. Luckily, there are several amazing tools to help manage a reactive dog. In this blog, we'll cover some of these tools and include links to suitable products that are readily available in the United Kingdom.
Understanding Reactivity in Dogs
Before going any further into discussing our recommended tools, it's essential to know why dogs become reactive. Reactivity can come about because of fear, frustration, or even excitement. Basically, behaviour exists to have some effect on a given situation faced by an animal. Your dog may be behaving the way it is because there is a goal that the behaviour helps them meet, not that they don't love you. For example, a dog barking at a stranger during a walk will result in that stranger avoiding your dog - that will be a successful result for your pooch, particularly if they're scared of people or other dogs.
Figuring out the root cause of your dog's reactivity will help you select the most appropriate tools and training methods.
Tools for Braving the Outdoors and Avoiding Problems on Walks
We all know that training can be sabotaged while out on a walk. Walks are a huge challenge for pooches with reactivity issues and it's a daunting task when you're dealing with larger breed reactive dogs.
What Lead Should I Use?
The most important aspect of keeping your walks manageable and safe is making sure you can physically keep your dog with you - preferably, by your side rather than out in front. We typically recommend a double-ended lead setup, that you can grip and slide over comfortably, which means no cord-type retractable leads, chain leads, or other leads that may cause you to tear or pinch your skin. While longer leads are good for letting your dog roam and get the most out of sniffing around the outdoors, make sure you can adjust and shorten the lead as needed, particularly around blind corners so that you can assess for safety.
There are lots of good leads on the market, but as mentioned, I recommend double-ended leads so that you can adapt the lead as necessary during the walk. For larger dogs, a double-ended lead is fantastic so that you can utilise both a head collar and harness. We recommend using the Halti Training Double-Ended Dog Lead or the Ruffwear Switchback Dog Lead.
Are Harnesses Beneficial for Walks?
It goes without saying, but you should avoid using harnesses that choke your dog, hurt their armpits, or make it so that they can't run normally. While there are so many harnesses available, we recommend that you find options with a front clip (do not use a back-clip harness for dogs that pull). Our current favourite harnesses are PerfectFit Harnesses, which come in a variety of sizes (from tiny to giant) and colours, as well as padded and non-padded options. If you're looking for a sturdy, cost-conscious option, we have also used the Pets at Home Control Dog Harness that utilises a front-clip.
Whatever harness you choose for your dog, you need to ensure that your dog still maintains some freedom, while keeping the safety of all in mind.
Using Head Collars for Large Dogs
Head collars are appropriate for dogs that are much stronger than your average pooch. For large reactive dogs, we recommend that you use a head collar paired with a front-clip harness. In order to set this up, you would use a double-ended lead having one end attached to the harness and the other end attached to the head collar. Doing so will allow you to have additional control over your dog during walks, by adjusting which end of the lead you choose to hold. Typically, you would hold closer to the harness' end so that your dog has sniffing freedom, but during reactive episodes or when you need additional control, you can hold the lead closer to the head collar.
We have been using the Dogmatic Head Collar for years with our reactive St. Bernard, paired with a harness. Our testament to this setup is that our dog weighs close to 60 kilograms, meaning she's the weight of a small adult, and I can still control her when necessary during any outbursts.
Muzzles are Effective Safety and Training Tools
Muzzles are essentially a safety barrier for your dog's teeth. Although they look intimidating, muzzles are an effective way to reliably prevent unwanted dog bites. While many people are worried about the use of muzzles, due to others' perception of them or their dog, they are in fact a fantastic tool to use during training. Think of a muzzle like a glass barrier surrounding a pool, it's there for safety, rather than to look 'pretty'. Our muzzle recommendation in the United Kingdom is an appropriate design from The Muzzle Movement, which has been developed to both look and feel good for your pooch.
Additional Tools for You
As we all know, off-lead dogs are a huge hazard on walks. In a single day, I could count the number of off-lead dogs I see in our village with two hands - it's a super common occurrence! For reactive dog owners, off-lead dogs are a particularly big issue. For those times when a loose dog could be a possibility, I recommend carrying something like a sprayable water bottle, or Pet Corrector Dog Training Spray. If there is the potential for dog fights, you can also carry Citronella Spray, which should only be reserved for the most serious of situations (like your dog or another dog latching during a fight).
Another useful product for dogs that are particularly sensitive to noisy locations is the Thundershirt. Having a wrap around your dog can physically calm them in the same way that swaddling a newborn baby does (we do call them Fur Babies, right?)
Conclusion
Dealing with a reactive dog requires patience, consistency, and having the right tools. Head collars, harnesses, appropriate leads, and training aids are the things we can use to improve general behaviour and aid in significant reactivity reduction radically. Utilising calming techniques also supports your dog in stressful situations. Always consult with a certified dog trainer or behaviourist who can provide proper guidance, ensuring the safety and welfare of your dog. The cost of these tools can make a big difference in your daily walks and managing your dog, leading to a more harmonious relationship with your reactive dog.
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