Reactive Dog Training: How to Calm and Redirect Your Dog

Imagine this scenario: You’re walking your dog in the neighborhood, and everything is easy breezy. Then, another dog approaches, and your pup suddenly becomes wildly uncontrollable. You try to calm them, but your efforts are in vain.

Has this happened to you? If so, you have experienced dog reactivity, a common behavioral condition that is stressful for pets and their owners. Effectively managing reactivity in dogs requires consistency, effective training, and patience.

Your dog’s reactivity may have you at your wits’ end, but rest assured, this behavior does not make your dog bad or aggressive.

In this article, we’ll explain what reactivity is (and what it’s not). We’ll also explain its causes, offer strategies to manage it, and recommend when to seek professional help.

What Is a Reactive Dog?

A reactive dog overreacts to a normal occurrence. For example, they may pull intensely on their leash when they see another dog, rather than walk past.

Reactive dogs have a very low threshold for staying calm. It doesn’t take much to push reactive pups past their threshold, leading to erratic and uncontrollable behavior.

Common triggers are:

Reactivity may look like aggression, but they are not the same. Aggression is a threatening behavior whose goal is to put distance between the dog and the perceived threat. It is normal behavior, such as a guard dog’s aggression toward an intruder entering their home, or a mommy dog’s aggressive growls to keep others away (maternal aggression).

That said, unchecked reactivity can increase their risk of aggression. If a reactive dog is left in a state of hyperarousal or is punished for being reactive, they may escalate their behavior because they learn that their attempts to stay below their ‘calm’ threshold don’t work.

Signs of Reactive Dog Behavior

Knowing the signs of reactivity in dogs can help you determine if your pet is being reactive or aggressive. Here are common signs of reactivity:

Recognizing these signs can help you act quickly to calm your dog.

Why Do Dogs Become Reactive?

Reactivity in dogs has various causes. Common causes are fear, anxiety, and a lack of socialization or training. Past negative experiences, such as a traumatic attack from another dog, can also cause reactivity later in life.

Genetics can also play a role in reactivity. For some dogs, overstimulation can overwhelm their brain and shut down rational thinking, leading to reactive behavior.

Frustration is another common cause of reactivity. For example, while on a walk, a reactive dog may strain against the leash when they see a trigger and become frustrated due to restraint.

Pain and medical issues can also contribute to reactivity.

A professional dog trainer or veterinary behaviorist can help you pinpoint the cause and triggers of your dog’s reactivity.

First Steps in Dog Reactivity Training

Reactivity is so stressful that you probably want to eliminate the behavior as soon as possible. But not so fast. Reactivity is a complex issue and won’t improve overnight.

The first step in reactive dog training is management, which aims to avoid triggers as much as possible. For example, if a busy dog park sets off your dog’s reactivity, visit when it’s not crowded.

Management will not change your dog’s response to the trigger, but it will help you be your dog’s advocate in steering clear of the triggers.

Another initial step in training is avoiding trigger stacking, which occurs when your dog experiences their triggers too frequently, without adequate time to calm down. Their nervous system becomes overwhelmed.

During these first steps, it is important to recognize and interpret your dog’s body language. Are they growling or whining? Are they straining on their leash or spinning in circles? Learning the language will help you avoid a full-blown reactive response.

Setting realistic goals is key when training a reactive dog. Eliminating their reactivity is unlikely but effectively managing it is a much more attainable goal.

How to Stop Dog Reactivity: Core Training Techniques

Wondering how to calm a reactive dog?

In the moment, a reactive dog cannot be reasoned with because their emotional brain has taken over. The training techniques described below address the reactivity before your dog passes the ‘calm’ threshold.

Desensitization

Desensitization is the gradual, increased exposure to the trigger so that it no longer elicits reactivity. It involves standing far enough away from the trigger to keep your dog calm, then steadily moving closer as your pup continues to remain calm. If they react, then move further back and start again.

Counterconditioning

The goal of counterconditioning is to shift the association with the trigger from negative to positive. This can be done by immediately giving your dog a treat when the trigger appears, allowing them to associate the trigger with a tasty reward.

Counterconditioning often goes together with desensitization. For example, when standing far away from the trigger, give your dog a treat when the trigger appears. You continue doing this as you move closer to the trigger, provided your dog stays calm.

The “Look at That” Method

This method serves to distract your dog from the trigger. For example, when the trigger appears, give your dog their favorite toy. Shifting their focus to something fun and engaging will help reduce the reactivity.

Rewarding Calm Behavior

Reactive dog training requires positive reinforcement. The more you reward calm behavior, the more they will want to perform that good behavior. With desensitization, the treat is the reward for staying calm.

Dog Reactivity Tips for Leash Training

Leash reactive dog training involves many of the same general concepts as reactive dog training. For example, while on a walk, reward calm behavior with a treat as you gradually decrease the distance between your dog and the trigger. When the trigger appears, you can also scatter the treats on the ground to distract your pup by having them sniff and forage for them.

It is also important to adjust the walk routine to reduce the reactive behavior. Have a defined path for your walk that you know will avoid the trigger. If that’s not possible, have a plan for making a quick U-turn or using another escape route to put distance between your dog and the trigger quickly.

Leash reactivity training will be most effective in a low-distraction environment, where your dog is most likely to remain calm and focused.

Having appropriate equipment is essential for effective leash reactivity training. Front-clip harnesses prevent tugging that puts pressure on the throat and make it easier for you to pivot your pup away from the trigger quickly.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Reactivity is understandably frustrating, so it's easy to lose your cool and make mistakes. Do your best to avoid these mistakes:

Training Exercises to Try at Home

Consider trying these reactivity training exercises at home:

Attention Games

Attention games distract from the trigger with something positive and engaging. Food puzzle toys require extended attention and focus to get the tasty reward.

Pattern Games

Pattern games provide a fun and easy way to keep your dog calm. They are predictable, which also fosters calmness. One pattern game is the ‘up-down game,’ in which you drop a treat on the ground.

When your dog eats the treat and looks back up at you, you say ‘yes’ and drop another treat. Over time, your pet will understand the pattern of looking up at you, then looking down to get the next treat.

Impulse Control Exercises

Impulse control exercises help your dog pause and breathe before becoming reactive.

One impulse control exercise involves treats. Hold some treats in your hand. If your dog immediately goes for the treats, close your hand to block access.

If they pause and stay back, open your hand and reward them. Over time, they will learn to wait, rather than acting impulsively.

Relaxation Training

Reactive dogs quickly become hyperaroused and unable to relax or calm down. Relaxation training will help them calm down before becoming hyperaroused.

When you see your dog getting worked up, give them about 5 to 20 minutes alone in a quiet place to settle down. This will help their nervous system to reset and turn the thinking brain back on.

Practicing with Controlled Setups

Reactive dogs need predictability to help them feel settled and regulated. Therefore, when training your dog at home, a controlled setup will give them the predictability they need to focus on training without being triggered.

The training environment should be relaxing and free of anything that may be a trigger, such as loud noises.

When to Get Professional Help

Training a reactive dog is no easy feat. If your dog continues to be reactive despite consistent training at home, it’s time to seek professional help. Other indications for seeking professional help include biting or snapping or having significant fear or anxiety.

If you’re unsure where to find a qualified trainer or behaviorist, you have a few options to narrow your search. You can search the Certified Professional Dog Trainer website or visit the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists website. Additionally, your veterinarian can recommend trainers and behaviorists.

You may wonder about the differences between a trainer and a veterinary behaviorist. A trainer has received specialized training in behavior but does not have a veterinary degree. A veterinary behaviorist has a veterinary degree and is board-certified in veterinary behavior.

Your dog can receive excellent training with either a professional trainer or behaviorist. Their price points may differ, so consider your budget when deciding between a trainer and a veterinary behaviorist.

Can Reactivity be Cured?

Reactivity is manageable, but not necessarily curable. That may not sound very encouraging, but being able to manage your dog’s reactivity effectively means less stress for both of you!

Reactive training will give your pup coping skills to keep them calm and help you recognize reactive behavior early enough to counteract it.

Remember to celebrate the small wins. Even just a little less reactivity can be a big reason to celebrate. The small wins will give you and your canine motivation to continue making progress with the training.

Reactive training is a marathon, not a sprint. Set long-term expectations that your dog’s reactivity will become more manageable with time and consistent training.

Patience Is Needed

Reactivity is stressful, but not unmanageable. Improvement is possible with patience, consistent training, and plenty of positive reinforcement and compassion.

With the right training plan and mindset, even highly reactive dogs animals can learn to navigate the world more calmly and confidently.