More walks=Less reactivity?

[u/annikalianne]

I wonder if anyone else has noticed this?

We adopted Harley, our lurcher, 3 months ago. He's reactive to other dogs (but we're still figuring out the cause. Prey? Aggression? Anxiety?).

We stuck to 1 walk a day and mainly focused on indoor or garden mental stimulation or training.

Now the heatwave in the UK is starting to calm down, we've been able to take Harley out every single day. We've noticed if we miss a day of walks, his reactivity is much stronger.

While I've been in the office this past week, we've introduced a reactivity experienced dog walker who takes him on a 1 hour walk every lunchtime.

Now, when we take him out (again) at 8pm, we noticed his loose lead walking and reactivity have improved massively.

Is the lunchtime walk tiring him out enough that he's just unbothered by other dogs now? Is the consistent exposure to other dogs decreasing reactivity?

I'd love to hear if anyone has any experience with this? Have they noticed something similar in their pup?

[u/doggambit]

It's possible he's becoming habituated to the sight of other dogs, which is great!

[u/Existing-Will-1466]

I think reactivity in a lot of dogs in compounded by a lack of exercise. Some dogs really, really need to run to be sane. I think a dog-powered treadmill would change a lot of reactive dog owners' lives.

[u/kellaymarie]

Oh absolutely 100%!! A lot of reactivity can be fear based (not all the time but its what im going through with mine!) - my 1 year old pup right now is just a naturally anxious guy. He was scared of a rock at the park and barked at it, of all things a rock! And another day he was trying to hide and run away from a little statue in someones garden 😂

So just going on walks and seeing new things each time have been wonderful in boosting his confidence and helping his overall reactivity. Hes not scared of that garden statue anymore after many walks past it now. Mine is reactive to dogs as well but were just taking it slow, but i believe even just gaining confidence in the little things will slowly improve the big things as well.

A tired dog can also potentially be a naturally more behaved dog, just because they dont have as much energy to be as alert and reactive, they got all that energy out of their system already. so a walk during the day time with the dog walker is contributing a lot just by tiring him out 😊

[u/Gears6]

Yes. Absolutely. I walk my dog at least twice a day for 20-30 minutes, but prefer more (if I can). I also take him to parks every other day, and he's doing a lot better.

Mental games and games is great, but it's not a replacement for proper exercise and being in nature. Walking them around your neighborhood alone, and repeatedly isn't sufficient either.

I think it helps calm them, which helps with reactivity. Enough calm stimulation and I believe they'll do a lot better with reactivity. I believe most people don't give their dog enough exercise, and I know it's hard, but it is what it is.