Living with a reactive dog (or dogs) can be a challenging and emotional experience. Many of us find ourselves overwhelmed and questioning our ability to manage our beloved pup's unpredictable and explosive behaviours. Over time, we've learnt that with a bit of patience, understanding, and the right tools and strategies, we can create a harmonious environment for our family and our reactive dog.
In this blog, we are going to focus on something important - mental health and providing support, advice, and practical solutions to help you and your reactive dog coexist peacefully.
Understanding Reactive Behaviour
Beginning with the basics and before diving into strategies, it's essential to understand what reactive behaviour entails for our pups.
A reactive dog is one who often overreacts to different things, like other dogs, strangers, specific noises, or even certain environments. These reactions can present themselves as the dog 'being aggressive,' such as barking, lunging, growling, or attempting to bite. It's so important to understand and recognise that the behaviours your dog is exhibiting stem from fear, anxiety, and uncertainty, rather than true aggression.
Can a Reactive Dog Be Cured?
If there was a cure for dog reactivity, there wouldn't be any need for us to write this blog and many dog trainers would be out of a job. While there is no magical cure for reactivity, many dogs can significantly improve their behaviours with the correct training and management techniques.
It's an extraordinarily gradual process that can take months, sometimes years. It requires consistency and commitment from us as reactive dog owners. Improvement rather than cure should be everyone's goal, aiming to reduce the intensity and frequency of reactive episodes.
The Basics: How to Deal with a Reactive Dog
- Identify Triggers: Firstly, we recommend that you keep a journal to note down what triggers your dog's reactive behaviour. The most common triggers include other animals, loud noises, or unfamiliar people. Once you understand what triggers your dog, you can establish a plan of attack for managing your dog's reactions.
- Create a Safe Space: Reactive dogs are fearful dogs, so ensure your pup has a designated safe space in your home where they can retreat when feeling overwhelmed. This could be a crate, a separate room away from the hustle and bustle of the household, or simply an area that is away from high-traffic parts of the home.
- Use Positive Reinforcement: We have discussed Positive Reinforcement Training Techniques many times before. The idea here is that you should reward your dog for calm behaviour with treats, praise, or toys. With positive reinforcement, we are encouraging desirable behaviours from our pups and helping them to make the right choices independently alongside building their confidence.
How to Help a Reactive Dog
- Desensitisation and Counter-Conditioning: The idea is that you gradually expose your dog to its triggers at a distance so that they can handle them without reacting. Pair this exposure with something positive, like treats or praise, to improve their emotional response. Over time you will be able to reduce the distance as your dog becomes more comfortable.
- Consistency is Key: You must maintain consistent routines and training sessions for reactive dogs. Inconsistency can confuse your pup and exacerbate reactive behaviours, especially when your training focuses on positive reinforcement and counter-conditioning.
- Professional Training: If you're feeling especially overwhelmed with where to begin, consider enlisting the help of a professional dog trainer, preferably one experienced with reactive or aggressive dogs. They can provide personalised guidance and support and may offer group classes for additional controlled exposure.
Ways to Help a Reactive Dog
- Physical and Mental Stimulation: A bored dog can be self-destructive. You must ensure that your dog receives proper exercise and mental stimulation. A tired dog is less likely to be reactive and we often find mental exercises are the best way to increase our pup's reactivity threshold. Consider preparing activities such as puzzle toys, scent games, or even setting up an agility course in your garden.
- Calming Aids: This is something we have focused on a little bit less, but exploring different calming aids like anxiety wraps, pheromone diffusers, or natural supplements can provide you peace of mind. We give our reactive girl CBD oil with her meals as an extra boost of confidence, relaxation and reduced anxiety.
- Proper Equipment: Another critical aspect of helping your reactive dog is using appropriate equipment designed for control. We use a head collar and front-clip harness because our reactive girl is bordering on 60kg of nearly pure muscle, so they're some of the few tools that have stopped her from pulling us over in the past during a reactive episode. Click to explore some of our Favourite Head Collars and our Recommendations for Harnesses.
Co-Existing with Reactive Dogs
Reactive Dog-Friendly Holidays
This was something we struggled doing for a long time because our reactive girl's triggers were not only other dogs, but animals and strangers generally. Planning a holiday or weekend trip can be daunting when you have a reactive dog, but it's not impossible. We recommend looking at AirBnB for destinations and accommodations that cater to reactive dogs. Research secluded cabins, dog-friendly beaches, or hiking trails where you can enjoy time with your dog without encountering too many triggers.
Reactive Dog Daycare
If you're going on holiday and can't take your pup, it may be time to find a suitable daycare or boarding facility. Finding a suitable facility for a reactive dog requires fairly thorough research. However, we recommend looking for places that offer individualised care, smaller group sizes, and preferably have experienced handlers with a training background.
Visit the facility beforehand to assess its suitability, particularly in terms of how they funnel dogs through into yards, whether they receive individual walks and playtime, etc. At the end of the day, the facility needs to meet your dog's needs.
Reactive Dog Support Groups and Forums
Support groups, both online and in-person, can be a lifeline for reactive dog owners. We recommend that you find a training facility that offers group training classes for reactive dogs, as you will be surrounded by individuals experiencing the same thing locally.
The 'Reactive Dogs' Subreddit is a fantastic resource for reactive dog owners, too. It's a safe space for owners to vent, share progress, and receive personable advice. We truly think the emotional support and practical tips from fellow dog owners can make a huge difference in your reactive dog journey.
Conclusion
Yep, we've been there - living with a reactive dog is undoubtedly challenging, but it really doesn't have to be some insurmountable burden.
Change your perspective a little and by understanding your dog's behaviour, implementing effective strategies, and seeking support, you can create a more peaceful coexistence.
Improvement is not an immediate thing. It's a gradual process and patience really is key. With time, dedication, and all-encompassing love, you and your reactive dog can enjoy a happier, more harmonious life.
