New and seasoned pet parents are challenged when it comes to managing a reactive dog. Each pup presents a different experience with its own underlying issues and distinct triggers. The canine will respond to threats by growling, barking incessantly, and lunging.

Reactive behavior shouldn’t be confused with aggression, but it should also be understood that it can lead to aggression if not curbed early. Reactive dog trainers with Sit Means Sit in Denver encourage early training particularly socialization as a preventive measure.

Tips On Proactively Managing Reactivity

Reactivity is a heightened emotional response to an everyday happening whether a movement, a sound, or something they see. These are situations other pups would typically ignore.

Reactivity can result from a number of circumstances, like inadequate training, including early exposure or socializing. Commonly dogs react to triggers based on fear or anxiety after having a negative past experience.

A priority is to ensure a pup is trained from an early age and receives preventive training at the first sign of reactive behavior.

Visit https://figopetinsurance.com/blog/life-reactive-dog-tips-tricks-manage for tips and tricks to manage a reactive dog. Then follow below for a few tips on working with your pup proactively to curb reactive behavior.

Socialization

Preferably a pup should receive socialization training at the earliest age possible. It should include exposure to other people, kids, and other animals in safe settings. When the canine grows up with full exposure to people, places, and things, it can prevent reactive behavior later.

If you adopt a rescue or an older pup, socialize him in a controlled atmosphere with supervised interactions. Regardless of the pup’s age or circumstances, it’s essential to guide him in controlling his excitement and impulses in every situation.

Avoid constraints

Working with your pup on leash training without tugging on the leash could help reduce the reactivity. A walk should be a pleasant experience without the use of constraints like harnesses or prong collars. These devices are often improperly used, resulting in stress and reactivity.

The reaction worsens when a pup feels confined or trapped, like he can’t escape his threat. Instead, with standard leash training and treats, a canine can learn positively and at a comfortable pace. Each time he pulls on the leash, you simply stop walking.

When the dog stops tugging, he gets rewarded, and you can start walking again. It can be a time-intensive process, but it’s effective. Walks can then be enjoyable with a loose leash. Read here about common mistakes pet parents make and how to fix them.

Corrective training

Prevention is key to mitigating reactivity that could possibly turn into aggression, and trainers should use practical techniques to help modify unwanted behavior. While reactivity is a source of stress for the canine, it’s also a household issue that affects the entire family.

Pet parents need to work cohesively with the training professional so that their efforts are consistent at home.

In conjunction with training, the pup’s vet should do a checkup to ensure the behavioral issues are not medically related. A trainer aims to determine the root cause of the reactivity upfront. Many rescue dogs have experienced abuse or other trauma in their past.

When you bring an older dog into your home, he could be dealing with upset from losing a beloved family member and his home. Offering the pup a safe space or giving them an “escape” can counteract the tendency to react.

Body language

A dog has no way to communicate when something is bothering him. This can explain the need to exaggerate his response to triggers. The pup believes a standard reaction isn’t enough to fully express his concern. It’s important to pay attention to the canine’s body language.

It can give you insight into his discomfort and when he feels fear and insecurity. A dog, particularly an older pup, can become overreactive when injured or sick. Most dogs don’t want to be bothered and will nip if someone becomes a nuisance.

The same is true with a scared or insecure canine trying to protect himself against a perceived threat. The dog will offer signs that he’s uncomfortable and wants to find a place to hide. It’s not the time to pet him or cuddle. When the warnings are ignored, the pup reacts.

When you learn your dog’s body language, you can start to pick up on signs that he’s feeling threatened by a perceived threat or trigger. You can remove him from the situation to avoid the response.

Slow down

It’s important to keep the pace slow when adding a reactive training program to your dog’s routine and being uncertain how he’ll react. You want to avoid trying to rush the process despite the challenges you’re facing.

The canine will need to take baby steps, but even then, he might have to go back to try again with a few of them. The objective is to help him approach each situation in the healthiest way but do so with caution to ensure he feels safe and cared for.

Pushing the dog to work harder or faster can instill more stress causing him to view the situation and his trigger negatively. Training should be a source of enjoyment and positivity if the trainer is to be successful in modifying the unwanted behavior.

Final Thought

A reactive dog is a good dog who merely needs an extra hand in bringing out his attributes. The pup has no intention of becoming aggressive or causing harm. Reactivity, however, can lead to aggression if the reactivity fans out of control. Paying attention to body language to curb the behavior at the first sign is important.

A Denver dog trainer will encourage dog training as early as possible particularly to socialize the pup. Proper social skills and exposure to everyday surroundings can reduce unwanted reactive behavior later in the pup’s life.

Working proactively to condition your canine to develop better behavioral habits can make him a content and confident puppy.

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