Dog Reactivity

Does Your Dog Bark, Growl, Lunge or “Lose It” on Walks?

WRITTEN BY C.C. BOURGEOIS, CPDT-KA, CSAT, PMCT, Wonder Dog University

Do you dread walking your dog because they act out in public? Maybe you’ve become a member of the “midnight walkers’ club,” avoiding other dogs and people. It can be both embarrassing and stressful when your dog loses it. If only everyone could see what a loving mush your dog is at home in their comfort zone, right?

It doesn’t have to be like this. These behaviors may seem beyond help, but can easily be addressed with a few consistent changes. Most dogs are not truly aggressive, but are displaying what looks like aggressive behaviors.

WHY ARE THESE BEHAVIORS HAPPENING?

There are many reasons a dog can develop what is called “reactivity”. It’s a very common problem, even for dogs who otherwise get along with other dogs when off leash.

It frequently begins during the adolescent stage of development, six to eighteen months of age. At that time their brain is fully developed, except the frontal lobe where impulse control is centered.

Every walk can be stressful. Your dog knows where other reactive dogs live and spins up long before reaching those houses. Reactive behaviors can become a habitual response that makes it difficult to change without intervention. In training, we like to say that “practice makes permanence” with behaviors. That reads true for both desired and undesirable behaviors.

One or more of these reasons contribute to dog reactivity:

Illness or Injury - First, have your vet conduct a thorough physical exam and run blood work. The goal is to rule out pain. An old or undiagnosed injury or ailment can cause these behaviors.

Poor Socialization - This must happen in the first 3-4 months of a pup’s life. Trying to play catch up with an already reactive dog will increase reactivity.

Experience - Single or multiple negative experiences can imprint onto a dog negative associations to dogs or people.

Leash Frustration - If loose leash walking and on-leash impulse control is not taught, leash frustration results.

Adolescence - Again, a large percentage of dogs begin displaying reactive behavior during this development phase when lack of impulse control is high.

Environment - Sounds and movement outside of the home or on walks can be a constant source of agitation for some dogs.

Lifestyle - Too much or too little physical exercise or socialization can cause stress. Inconsistency or major changes in daily routine or uncomfortable or new situations contribute to stress as does lack of mental stimulation.

Breed - Though not a rule, breed tendencies do exist. Some herding breeds may be inclined to behave reactively toward moving objects such as cars, bicycles, golf carts, skaters and joggers. Guard dog breeds may take the job a little too seriously and display aggressive behaviors when unwarranted.

Genetics - Some dogs that have had everything on their side in the above categories simply don’t have the benefit of genes that provide resilience and stability. Nature may have left them with an imbalanced and sensitive system.

Lack of Training - When clear, calm communication with your dog has been established and practiced there is a halo effect of better overall behavior. The opposite is true of old fashioned (harsh or bullying) training methods. The latest science shows that it can increase or even start aggressive behaviors.

Do any of these sound like areas that might be affecting your dog? In the majority of cases, these are not permanent obstacles to your dog learning improved behaviors; many even find full resolution.

So, let’s say you’ve completed that first step, the veterinary consultation. Well done! You receive great news. Your beloved dog is physically healthy! Now, how does one start unpeeling the layers of this behavioral onion?

Set Up For Success

Before you start any specific behavior modification exercises, create the optimum environment for your dog to be able to learn new responses to the things that currently have them spiraling. Take action. Your dog is relying on you for behavior support. These items are key pieces for maximum positive outcomes:

• Triggers - Define the specific items that you see agitate your dog. List them in order of most disturbing to least irritating to your dog.

• Threshold Distance - How far away from a trigger is your dog when they first start reacting strongly? For now, do not get closer to your dog’s trigger than they can handle. We want to practice calm.

• Dog Body Language - Note the changes you see in your dog’s body posture and movement just before a reaction actually starts. That’s your cue to step in and move away from the trigger.

• Enrichment - Increase mental stimulation; use interactive feeding toys, play enrichment and basic training. Focus energy on positive outlets.

• Management - Explore ways to decrease your dog’s daily exposure to their triggers. Help them decompress from the effects of stress.

PRO TIP: Management is key in the first phase. Without it, your dog doesn’t have the opportunity to learn new ways of thinking and behaving.

Prevent Trigger Stacking

Stressful events have compounding, long-term behavioral and health effects. Stress hormones surge into the system. These assist natural fight-or-flight instincts. However, it takes time for them to leave the system. So, any other stressful events that occur soon after a single event stacks more stress hormones in the body. This build-up makes any animal less able to cope with stress and impedes the ability to learn. Stress even affects animals in utero. Young born to highly stressed mothers react to stress with higher levels of cortisol and need more time between events for levels to decrease. It’s your job to reduce your dog’s exposure to daily triggers.

Approach To Modifying Behaviors

The best method for long-term success is to change a dog’s response to triggers by teaching them they have no need to be concerned about the trigger. In tandem, we teach them skills to make better choices on their own without prompting. We don’t want to put a lid on this boiling pot. It doesn’t stop the water from boiling. It only makes a bigger mess.

You can bring the joy back to your daily walks. Dig in and make real, lasting changes to work confidently as a team. Your dog has a hidden genius they’re waiting for you to discover. ■