How to Work With a Reactive Dog

Reactive dogs overreact to a trigger, usually by barking or lunging. Triggers can be anything, but often includes other dogs, people wearing hats or carrying objects, grabbing toddlers or loud noises. Though it looks aggressive, most reactive behavior is a fear response. Therefore, the dog must learn how to behave appropriately in a fearful situation. While reshaping the dog's behavior is an essential, helping the dog learn to trust its owner is just as important.

Things You'll Need

  • Dog treats
  • Clicker
  • Head collar (optional)
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Instructions

  1. Behind the Scenes

    • 1

      Identify the triggers that incite your dog's reactive behavior, including times, places and circumstances, and write them down. If your dog reacts to multiple triggers, decide which one to address first.

    • 2

      Experiment with different dog treats to learn the ones your dog likes best. You need to reward your dog with high-value treats.

    • 3

      Teach your dog to focus on you. First, give your dog a treat every time it looks at you. When your dog does that consistently, introduce the word "watch". Reward your dog when it obeys the watch command. This will become your dog's default behavior.

    • 4

      Teach your dog that you are in control. The way to accomplish this is to make your dog ask for permission to do the things it wants. For example, have your dog sit before you feed it, take it outside or let it on the furniture. When you are in control, your dog learns it can trust you to handle any situation that comes up. It also teaches your dog to defer to you rather deciding what to do on its own.

    Neutralize Your Dog's Trigger

    • 5

      Start far away from your dog's trigger and, if possible, remove anything your dog associates with it such as sounds or smells. You want to ensure your dog will be successful. Click and treat your dog right before the trigger gets to the dog. Continue clicking and treating your dog as long as it doesn't react and keeps its focus on you.

    • 6
      Sit and watch should be your dog's default behavior.

      If your dog starts barking, step between your dog and the trigger and wait for it to regain its composure. Make your dog look at you by holding its head steady with the head collar. Give your dog treats as long as it is not barking or growling. Then pivot and let your dog see the trigger. Repeat this step until your dog is successful.

    • 7

      When your dog can see its trigger at a distance without reacting, move a little closer and repeat the last step. Continue this process until your dog can be in close proximity to its trigger without reacting.

    • 8

      Increase the amount of time your dog is exposed to its trigger. Repeat the same process as before. However, start far away from the trigger again. Never make your dog handle two difficult situations simultaneously while reshaping behavior. Repeat this step until your dog can be exposed to its trigger for an extended time without reacting.

    • 9

      Put distractions such as a person or noise, in your dog's path as well as its trigger. Start at an extended distance from the trigger and expose your dog to it for a short amount of time. Repeat the step where you stand between the trigger and the dog. Gradually increase the distractions.