We all know that training reactive dogs can feel like an uphill battle at the best of times, but with the right resources, it can truly become a journey with many rewarding moments. I've been collecting dog training books for years. Firstly, it was because I owned a working line German Shepherd in my twenties that I wanted to ensure had top-tier training and none of the potential issues that working line dogs can have with reactivity, resource guarding, or prey-drive. Nowadays though, it's because I enjoy having a whole arsenal of resources at my fingertips for helping our reactive dog.
Whether you're a seasoned dog parent or newer to the world of owning a reactive dog, it's important to have a solid understanding of positive training techniques. Over the last decade, several books have stood out in helping us dog owners turn challenges into triumphs, which is why we've compiled a list of our favourite books that are not only highly rated but also easy to digest when reading. So, here are our favourite books on training reactive dogs in 2024.
"The New Click to Calm: Solutions for All Dogs in a Challenging World" by Emma Parsons
The first time I came across Emma Parsons was when I got my hand on the original "Click to Calm" book, which shaped a lot of my understanding about how to approach positive training techniques. Her new book has now updated the "Click to Calm Protocol" to enable more rapid behaviour change, but she also teaches people how to apply these techniques to help dogs with more common, less intense behavioural issues.
One of my favourite things about this resource is the layout of the book, which basically steps readers through a huge how-to guide on dealing with a multitude of scenarios. The book specifically addresses different types of reactivity, which is important for those of us who have a dog with a broad spectrum of reactivity by outlining specific dog-dog issues, as well as specific dog-human issues.
"Behavior Adjustment Training 2.0" by Grisha Stewart
Behavior Adjustment Training 2.0 (BAT 2.0) has been my go-to book for years now. At the time of its publication, it was truly a groundbreaking book that introduced a unique approach to handling fear, frustration, and aggression. Grisha Stewart's methods focus on allowing dogs to make choices and learn from their environment, which can lead to longer-lasting behavioural changes.
The concept of BAT 2.0 is that we help our dogs develop resilience and self-reliance by giving them safe opportunities to learn about people, dogs, or other triggers. It's a clear book that is super easy to follow with well-constructed chapters that all readers will be able to digest. One of the best aspects of this book is the attention it pays to reading our dogs' body language and looking for signs of stress for handlers to set up with their pooch's comfort in mind.
"Fired Up, Frantic, and Freaked Out" by Laura VanArendonk Baugh
Fired Up, Frantic, and Freaked Out helps us as handlers to recognise how fear, aggression, and excitement in dogs are variants of the same root problem. While Laura VanArendonk Baugh has primarily written this book for dog owners, you will need to establish a higher-level routine and dedication as some of the protocols can be slightly demanding without the encouragement of a professional. However, it is still one of the most valuable resources I've come across in the world of training reactive dogs.
The training exercises outlined in this book are easy-to-follow and the humour is fantastic, particularly because contextually we are reading about a pretty serious topic. Importantly and similarly to BAT 2.0, Fired Up helps clarify the difference between luring a dog to a behaviour, and helping them decide to do something for themselves.
"Positive Training for Aggressive and Reactive Dogs" by Annie Phenix
Another great resource is "Positive Training for Aggressive and Reactive Dogs," which features cruelty-free and positive behaviour training methods and exercises, with step-by-step instructions to rehabilitate unwanted aggression, barking, reactivity, and other problematic behaviours. Several interviews in this book explain in easy-to-digest terms what a dog needs to live a happy life, make their own choices, and how to improve their confidence and resilience.
Annie particularly focuses on helping understand dog reactivity as a bit of a phenomenon, rather than simply focusing on training. She differentiates all the different behaviours contained under the term "reactivity", and spends quite a bit of time explaining the significance of prevention. If you have a reactive dog, we strongly recommend picking this book up, as it's one of the newest in our arsenal and explores concepts that aren't explored in some of the older titles listed here.
Some Additional Thoughts
Training a reactive dog requires a tonne of patience, understanding, and the right resources. The books listed above offer a wealth of knowledge, practical tips and positive reinforcement techniques that can truly make a significant impact on your dog's behaviour. Each of the authors has years of expertise, bringing a unique perspective from each of their experiences, but still focusing on positive training techniques. All of the books focus on ensuring that you have a well-rounded toolkit for handling different types of reactivity or preventing it.
Reactive dog training is a long journey, but it's unique. You need to find the methods that work best for you and your furry friend, and I hope this small list of recommendations gives you a great starting point, providing you with the guidance and confidence to transform challenges into big wins.
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