Our dogs are more integrated in our lives than ever before. They have moved into our homes, vehicles and sometimes even work places. More and more places are becoming “dog-friendly”, meaning many people are taking their furry friends to public places. With our dogs being exposed to more things, people and pets than ever before, we are noticing a higher incidence of reactivity among our canine companions. Much like people with social anxiety, a reactive dog’s brain is on HIGH ALERT at all times. So, you may ask, what does reactivity look like? Reactive dogs tend to speak before they think… we’ve all known a person like this right? The dogs are labeled as "jerks", or "bad dogs", but theres much more to it than that. They overreact by barking or lunging at whatever stimuli is “setting them off”. Their triggers can range from different noises to people or other animals (strangers or friends and family). They can also startle easily when they hear a loud or unexpected noise. They are essentially on edge and are more tense than other dogs.
For example, Dr. Sophia Yin's Learn to Earn program is a wonderful way to have your dog focus on you and let you do all the decision making. More detailed information is in her book, Perfect Puppy(it applies to dogs of any age). Adequate exercise is important to manage anxiety. Having a routine, especially in regards to exercise and play, will also help with managing anxiety. An important thing to remember is when you use punishment in any way, your dog will either subdue the emotional reaction and it will be worse in the future or it will increase aggressive behaviour, anxiety or reactivity. Reactivity is an over-exaggerated emotional response and punishing that will just create fear-stress and anxiety to build whether you see it or not.
Making sure the dog doesn’t reach its reaction threshold is extremely important for success. If a dog is allowed to practice a reactive behaviour, it becomes more difficult to change that behaviour. For example, the most common trigger is another dog. Having a Gentle Leader will make this training exercise much easier. When you encounter another dog while walking on leash, begin give rewards continuously (food is the easiest reward in this situation) as soon as you notice the dog. If your dog stops focusing on you, have them sit with their back to the approaching dog and continue to give rewards. You must be fast paced with the rewards so you remain more interesting than the other dog. If your dog continues to lose focus on you, you will need to create more distance between your dog and the approaching dog by moving off the path. Ideally, your dog will only pay attention to you and ignore the other dog all together. You must do this every time you encounter your reactive dog’s trigger. Over time, he or she will learn to associate the strange dog with a reward.
Conditioning you dog to change its behaviour takes a lot of time and patience, but in the long run is well worth the effort. Once you address the dog's underlying anxiety, you and your furry companion can begin to work together towards a full life of experiences. If you have a reactive dog, speak to your veterinarian for tips or medications that may be helpful to your training process.
19 Comments
1/17/2019 12:34:52 pm
Great.
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9/22/2021 10:22:08 am
Very nice post. You have shared really impressive information in detail. I would love to read more from you. Keep sharing.
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You made my day reading this. Shelter dogs are wonderful. and yes you certainly can get a purebred if thats what you have your mind st on as some who have bought a purebred and found they werent fitting onto their lifestyle . I have known a number of people who have ‘bought ‘ (it makes me shudder) a Frenchie and they find out the breed is prey driven or perhaps is very high strung. Also buying a dog you are never sure if i involves a puppy mill.
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11/30/2021 09:15:38 am
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12/20/2021 10:07:01 am
Love your article, very well-written! I have been reading posts regarding this topic and this post is one of the most interesting and informative one I have read. Thank you for this!
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12/20/2021 10:20:35 am
Hi, Love your article, very well-written! I have been reading posts regarding this topic and this post is one of the most interesting and informative one I have read. Thank you for this!
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1/20/2022 10:45:21 am
I was surfing the Internet for information and came across your blog. I am impressed by the information you have on this blog. It shows how well you understand this subject.
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1/20/2022 10:46:50 am
Interesting idea, but the dog will eventually lose interest if he isn’t able to catch the hot dog once in a while. It’s the same thing with toy rope tug of war; you have to let them win sometimes.
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5/18/2022 02:38:05 pm
That was so awesome and yes everyone should learn from our dogs to be unconditional. This remembered of my dog too.Lovely post.
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11/15/2022 11:58:35 am
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11/15/2022 12:11:57 pm
You made my day reading this. Shelter dogs are wonderful. and yes you certainly can get a purebred if thats what you have your mind st on as some who have bought a purebred and found they werent fitting onto their lifestyle . I have known a number of people who have ‘bought ‘ (it makes me shudder) a Frenchie and they find out the breed is prey driven or perhaps is very high strung. Also buying a dog you are never sure if i involves a puppy mill.
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11/23/2022 02:51:14 pm
Denise you captured the human experience of what it means to struggle and survive during an unprecedented time .Your honesty and authenticity help me and others to feel connected to you during this turbulence . Thank you for sharing and allowing yourself to be vulnerable .I feel your compassion for humankind while living fully through this experience .
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12/26/2022 03:20:39 pm
Como dijimos más arriba, cuando uno toma la decisión de sumar una mascota a la familia, implica estar preparados para asumir ciertas responsabilidades. Las mascotas son como hijos, requieren de los mismos cuidados, la misma atención y el mismo cariño.
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5/9/2023 04:50:51 am
Dogs keen sense of hearing, dogs also have a highly developed sense of smell that is far superior to that of humans. They use this sense to gather information about their surroundings, identify objects, and even detect illnesses in humans. This makes them valuable companions for people with certain medical conditions, such as diabetes or epilepsy, who rely on service dogs to alert them to potential health risks.
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5/13/2023 01:40:51 pm
They could at least keep them in the inner pages! And long unnecessary descriptions have made me put down a book more than once. And I too judge a story by its ending.
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7/17/2023 03:16:21 pm
Pets bring endless entertainment and laughter into our lives. From their playful antics to their curious nature, they never fail to amuse us. Whether it's a cat chasing a ball of yarn or a dog performing tricks, their antics bring joy to our everyday lives.
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7/17/2023 03:18:34 pm
Pets can be great companions, providing emotional support and reducing stress. Many studies have shown that having a pet can have a positive impact on mental health, reducing feelings of loneliness and depression. They offer a source of comfort and an ear to listen without judgment.
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7/26/2023 03:54:44 pm
One of the most significant benefits of having a pet is the positive impact they can have on our mental and physical health. Studies have shown that owning a pet can reduce stress, anxiety, and feelings of loneliness. The presence of a loving companion can improve our mood and overall well-being, promoting a healthier lifestyle.
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AuthorDr. Juanita Ashton, BSc, DVM, ACDBC-IAABC is a certified Canine Behavioural Consultant, and one of the owners of the Elmsdale Animal Hospital Archives
March 2020
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