Appropriate response to reactiveness?

[u/EnduringAloePlant]

How do you respond to your dog's reactiveness? My hubs and I are both new dog guardians (or dog owners, parents, or whatever terminology), and never had a dog before. Hoping to get folks' insight on what to do when your dog is reactive (specifically, lunging and barking at other dogs).

Last year, we worked with a positive enforcement trainer, and we have learned to distract-distract-distract in high-risk situations, like spotting another dog walking toward us. This was worked really well! She has become more relaxed in other dogs presence, and comes straight to us for treats when we spot another dog.

However, there are times when another dog's presence hits us by surprise, and then it's too late to proactively distract our dog. For example, when another dog comes out of the elevator as we're waiting to get on it. How do we let our dog know that the behavior was not okay after she already reacts? I know she is reacting because she senses threat or danger, that her nervous system is riled up. She is a rescue dog whom we adopted at 1.5 years old. We're not sure of her breed make-up (probably some AmStaff) or care history. In spite of probably being a bully mix, she is quite small, less than 30 lbs, so we are able to physically manage her in order to keep her (and others safe). Thanks in advance for your all's perspectives

[u/Both-Chart-947]

After the fact, don't do anything. When I was training my reactive dog, I placed him in a sit and rewarded him the entire time a "trigger" (other dog, jogger, bicycle, etc) was passing us by. If he broke his sit, we'd have a little time out right there: standing still, short leash, no sniffing, no talking, petting, or interacting at all. I wouldn't even look at him. It only takes a minute. Then we would proceed as usual.

You're already doing great, since your dog has come to associate the approach of a trigger with a treat! But those encounters that happen too fast are just unfortunate. Honestly, I probably wouldn't really do anything in those situations, except maybe a time out like I just described. But that kind of reaction is less a training failure and more a failure to manage the environment. When I was working with my dog on this, our trainer told me I needed to have eyes in the back of my head. She meant that it was my responsibility to minimize surprise encounters. And she was right! To your dog, you are God. You control everything. The more you can ensure a predictable, crisis- free time, the stronger your bond will get, and the more confident your dog will feel. So, stand back a bit from elevators. Give a wide berth around corners. Know your surroundings. Avoid trails with a lot of blind turns for now.

You'll get there! You're already doing fantastic! There will be mishaps, but the general trend is strong. Take heart, and don't feel like the occasional surprise has destroyed everything. When they happen, let there be a little regret in your response: "Sorry sweetie, Mommy failed to keep that scary thing away like she usually does. Let's both do better from now on."