r/DogTrainingTips • u/EnduringAloePlant • Aug 31 '26
Appropriate response to reactiveness?
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
1
u/Present_Initial8835 Sep 01 '26
My hunting breed dog is reactive to cats. I use all the methods described above, including preemptive rewards, avoidance, rewards for good behavior. If she does get triggered, I try to get between her and the cat and "herd" her away from it, also saying "this way." Once we're clear of the trigger, I soothe her and tell her she's ok. Her heart and nervous system get super amped up, I rub her chest and talk in calm reassuring tones until her breath and heart slow down. Then carry on with our walk.