How to Train a Reactive Dog: Proven Techniques for Managing Aggression, Anxiety, and Undesirable Behaviors

Is your dog a challenge when walking through your neighborhood on a leash? They may appear aggressive, fearful or anxious, but all these behaviors can be generalized as reactivity. This means that they see something, like another dog, a cat, or a flag waving in the breeze and start barking and lunging toward it. This results in even worse behavior as the more they lunge the more you pull back and become anxious yourself. 

Reactivity is a learned response but can also be cured through proper positive reinforcement training and conditioning, the most important of which is appropriate exercise.

How can you recognize if you have a reactive dog or one that simply wants to go play with the dog or cat they see? We’ll begin with a definition of reactivity, and what causes the dog reactivity.

•  Definition : A dog who responds to normal occurrences with excessive amounts of arousal.

• Behaviors Include : Pulling hard on a leash, excessive barking, growling, jumping about, air snapping, spinal fur raised. In general, the behavior appears aggressive and can be concerning for a pet parent.

• Common Triggers : A trigger is the subject of your dog’s reaction. This can be other dogs in general, a specific dog, someone they haven’t met, loud noises, unique noises, wildlife movement, a flag waving in the wind, skittering leaves, or a cat. Dogs are very visual creatures and can detect movement at a distance far easier than humans.

•  Reactivity vs Aggression  : Just because your dog may be reactive doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re aggressive. Certainly, it appears that way when your dog is pulling hard and barking. Mostly, however, reactivity is a frustration reaction. Your dog cannot investigate the source as they are being contained in some manner. The containment can be a leash, fence or walls. If allowed to continue without any intervention, reactive dog symptoms can turn into aggression and then you’ll need to do dog aggression management. Working with aggressive dogs is extremely challenging and requires professional handling.

There are several reasons why a dog may be reactive. The behavior is most common while on a leash. While it is often due to frustration in some form it can also be due to fear of the unknown. Dogs who have not received adequate socialization when young can become reactive dogs as they age.

Inadequate socialization can cause the following:

• Fear reactions – lack of exposure to the world at large.

• Lack of social skills – never learned how to respond to other dogs or pets.

• Overstimulation – never learned how to control their behavior in new situations

When a puppy does not receive appropriate socialization, it can create myriad problems later in their life and you will need to address fear-based dog behavior. They learn a lot from playing with other dogs, starting with their mother and litter mates. When they go into their new homes they should be exposed to every facet of their environment as soon as possible, from other pets, children and neighbors to all parts of their outside world. This would reduce the possibility of fear-based reactivity in the future.

There are some dogs who may be genetically predisposed to reactive behavior due to their instincts as guarding or herding breeds. Regardless of instincts, however, dogs can be trained and conditioned to not display reactivity.

If your dog has health issues, they can also become reactive if they are fearful in a situation they associate with their discomfort. For example, another family pet or neighbor’s pet bumped them during play or greeting. The dog remembers that individual had caused them pain and may be reactive when seeing them again.

There are ways to assess your dog’s reactivity levels and learn the triggers so you can be ready when the behavior occurs. There are specific behavioral patterns, body language cues and intensity of the reactive behavior to consider.

• Observing Behavioral Patterns : After a few incidences, you’ll know what triggered your dog’s reactive behavior. Was it another dog nearby? A neighbor’s cat suddenly moved. Or the delivery person? While keeping track of the triggers is helpful in preparing you for a reactive incident, try to not pre-empt your dog’s behavior when you see the triggers. This can create another behavior issue of your dog responding to your emotions.

• Body Language Cues : There is specific body language that your dog will display when a trigger is near - Their body stiffens. Their eyes stare. Their ears are strained forward. Their tails are held straight outward or upward. Some dogs may raise the hair along their upper spine. Then comes the leash straining, barking and jumping around.

• Evaluating Trigger Intensity : There are levels of reactivity. From whining and hopping around to aggressive behavior and lunging against the leash. These levels will be a gauge when working on desensitization.

Most cases of dog reactivity require the help of a professional trainer or behaviorist. It is important to learn how to redirect your dog’s behavior using positive reinforcement. Steer clear of any trainer who may use aversive training tools such as an electronic collar, prong collar, or choke chain as these can exacerbate the problem by teaching your dog to associate discomfort with the reactivity trigger, turning reactivity into dangerous aggression.

The most effective technique for training reactive dogs is to use positive reinforcement and positive association methods for dog behavior modification. This approach will give your dog a chance to offer appropriate behavior and be rewarded. And the more the dog associate’s rewards with a specific behavior, the more they repeat them.

When your dog begins their reaction to a trigger you need to use the desensitization technique of quick redirection. Prompt rewards should be offered for moving into the new behavior. This is the best way to condition your dog into an appropriate response whenever they encounter that trigger.

Along with obedience training, your dog will need desensitization work to counter condition their automatic responses to triggers. First, however, be certain that your dog has a solid understanding of basic cues such as heel, sit/stay, down/stay and come. This is always the first step to leash training for reactivity. You must remain calm and in control when you work with your dog. Do not react to the triggers yourself or you are effectively triggering your dog even before they see it. Desensitization is done as follows:

Work with your dog around their favorite toys. Then, have someone help you by throwing the toys around; squeaking them if they have that feature. When your dog totally ignores all of this you can proceed to the next step.

This is where leash reactivity is most likely to occur. Practice all the basic cues along the way. This keeps your dog focused on you instead of the environment. Continually praise your dog enthusiastically as they perform well. This also maintains the connection between the two of you.

At this point in the training, attempt to avoid the trigger areas and objects until your dog is totally reliable on the walk without them. For example, if you pass a specific house where their dog barks and jumps on the fence, avoid that house at this stage, if possible.

If you dog begins to react, manage the dog barking and lunging by backing off a few steps to where they were calm prior to reaction. Continue to work at this level until your dog is fully relaxed. Try again, but maybe not quite as close. If your dog shows even a minor reaction, redirect immediately. This means, do a 180 degree turn and continue moving. When your dog looks at you, stop and do a sit/stay, praising and then rewarding them as they perform well.

Eventually, your dog will be able to move past the trigger, remaining focused on you. This can take days to months, depending on your dog and the strength of the trigger. The more the trigger moves or makes noise the tougher it will be to overcome your dog’s reactivity. You must remain consistent, persistent and enthusiastic about each small step along the way. This is the best reactive dog exercise you can do to overcome dog reactivity.

If you feel you are not progressing or making matters worse, consult with a pet professional immediately. The procedures will remain like the above description, but a dog trainer has the experience to know when to regress and when your dog is ready to move forward. Sometimes that all it takes to get over the hump. Or, if your dog has gotten overtly aggressive, a pet professional will recognize the behavior and is best equipped to handle aggressive dogs, or those who have dog anxiety and fear.

While most reactive dogs are behaving poorly due to lack of socialization and experience, those who suddenly display that behavior after not having done so previously, may have a health concern. It would be wise to consult with your dog’s veterinarian to discover what might be going on to cause the personality change.

One of the main reasons dogs become reactive is having more energy than their pet parents can dispel with normal walks or back yard play times. In fact, more high energy dogs tend to have reactivity than low energy dogs as they are more easily aroused. Exercise is the best reactive dog therapy and dog anxiety treatment.

When the weather isn’t conducive to a long walk, or training sessions outdoors, you need to replace the activity with something that can dispel all the pent-up energy. This will reduce your dog’s anxiety, stress and destructive tendencies when their energy is not dispelled. It also aids in building dog confidence along the way.

A dog treadmill also gives you a means of exercising your dog without exposure to all the triggers they experience outdoors. A tired, well-exercised dog is less likely to have the energy to become reactive to minor triggers and less likely to react heavily to major triggers, such as a dog on the block that has barked at them.

Dog treadmills are also a means of building focus and discipline for the times your dog encounters new stimuli. A dog who understands how to respond to cues, regardless of their environment, is a relaxed and calm dog.

Dog treadmills can be a great means of alleviating reactive dog symptoms, as they use up all the energy needed to behave in such a manner. Treadmills can be considered a training tool for reactive dogs as they aid in teaching your dog to focus as they are getting exercise. These are important facets of any dog training regimen.

As with any new experience, start slowly and allow your dog to acclimate to the treadmill gradually . Reactive dogs are already very sensitive to new experiences, so you want to ensure the dog treadmill introduction remains positive.

Allow your dog time to sniff at, walk on and find treats on the treadmill. Anything that your dog perceives as a treat dispenser will be accepted quickly. Sit near the dog treadmill with your dog’s favorite toys and put them on the treadmill. Praise as your dog goes to sniff and be very enthusiastic if your dog fetches the toy. Play with your dog around the dog treadmill machine.

1. When your dog is fully comfortable around the dog treadmill lure your dog onto it. Make certain that the tread is stationary at this point so there are no surprises.

2. As your dog remains on the dog treadmill, praise and reward repeatedly for about 5 minutes.

3. Then let your dog jump off, if they wish. Repeat this 3-4 times a day for 2 days.

1. Make sure the tread brake is on, lure your dog onto the treadmill from the back end toward the front.

2. Should your dog be apprehensive, lure them two steps, reward, then another two steps and reward until they are fully on the tread.

3. Release the brake and hold the treat about 6 inches in front of your dog’s nose. As they attempt to get their treat, they will move the dog treadmill tread. Be sure to praise your dog enthusiastically and reward. Repeat as needed until your dog is comfortable walking on the treadmill.

4. Move the treat a bit further away so that your dog will attempt to move toward it faster. This will automatically speed up their movement on the dog treadmill.

Gradually increase the amount of time your dog runs on the dog treadmill. Begin with 5 minutes for a week and then add another 5 minutes the next week. This will allow your dog to acclimate to the equipment as they improve their overall canine fitness levels.

The optimum dog exercise time on the dog treadmill is 20-30 minutes. Always remain near the treadmill as your dog is using it and observe for signs of exhaustion. Here are some behaviors to look for:

• Heavy panting

• Low tail

• Low ears

• Drooping head

• Slipping

A dog who is very fit may not display these behaviors after having run on the dog treadmill for a half hour, but it’s still a good idea to stop the workout. It is best that high energy dogs do their dog treadmill workouts several times each day to ensure they receive appropriate exercise and are less likely to have the energy for reactive arousal.

The best means of managing reactivity caused by fear or anxiety is to always be consistent in every facet of your dog’s life. It helps them understand their world and their place in it. Consistent feeding and training schedules, understanding when you will or will not be home, and getting well socialized with their environment will prevent and aid in overcoming reactive behaviors.

Regular exercise goes a long way towards helping your dog remain calm and responsive to cues. Be sure to understand your dog’s unique exercise needs and fulfill them. If you have a high energy dog, you must ensure plenty of exercise. Should you have a low-energy dog, you must still stick to an exercise schedule, though not as rigorous.

Every dog should have their own safe space, where they can relax and not be bothered by outside stimulation such as the sounds of traffic, people speaking loud, other pets, or active young children in the same room. This safe space can be a crate, a pen, a room or a deck. Be sure your dog has plenty of fresh water there, along with a variety of favored toys. 

There are many calming products on the market. Some are for dogs who fear thunder and fireworks. Others associate loud noises or sudden movement with a bad experience. Some dogs are just easily aroused and assertive and need a supplement that will help them relax.

The most common, over the counter products are Thunder Shirt and Anxiety Wrap for the fear of loud noises and new experiences. Pheromone diffusers help convey a sense of calm. CBD supplements are on the rise with a means of taking the edge off assertive/reactive behaviors. Veterinarians can also prescribe medications that will help such as Fluoxetine (Prozac), Sertraline (Zoloft), Alprazolam (Xanax) and Clomipramine (Clomicalm).

Training reactive dogs requires patience, consistency and positive associations. By first understanding the underlying cause of your dog’s reactivity you can be better equipped to modify the behavior. Begin with basic obedience, then distraction proofing and then redirection exercises when confronted with a trigger. Appropriate exercise goes a long way toward reducing the energy needed to be reactive. 

Reactive dogs can be very challenging for pet parents. Never hesitate to reach out to a pet professional for help. Over time, your dog will learn to trust you and respond to your cues regardless of any distraction, helping your dog remain controlled and calm.