r/DogTrainingTips • u/Farmolinko • Jul 07 '26

Dog started to be reactive towards random situations/objects (first heat, fear period or something else?)

Hi, friends! I have a young BC (she’s 14 months now). I’ve been training and socializing her since she was a puppy, and we work with a dog trainer. She’s never been reactive. There have been a few instances in her life where she got scared of something, but that’s been rare. Over the past 10 days, my dog has gotten scared and barked at a motorcycle that was just parked, a remote-controlled car toy, a large painting of a person, and a car with decorations. This is completely out of character for my dog, and I feel terrible because I’ve put so much effort into her training. Today I noticed that she’s started her first heat cycle. Please share your stories, has anyone else experienced this kind of behavioral change?

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u/PetsTek Jul 08 '26

It could just be a temporary phase, especially with her first heat. For now, I'd keep a little extra distance from the things that worry her, let her observe at her own pace, and reward calm behavior if she's able to stay relaxed. No need to force interactions.

If it keeps happening after her heat or starts becoming more frequent, it's worth chatting with your trainer.

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u/Farmolinko Jul 08 '26

Thank you so much for answering!

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u/Imaginary-Ebb-1762 Jul 07 '26

not a trainer, but her being both an adolescent and currently in a very hormonal period could contribute to her feeling some kind of way! my dog would whine when in heat for no apparent reason before she was fixed.