In a video shared to TikTok, expert dog trainer said that having a dog that’s calm, well behaved and obedient when you’re out and about together, starts with creating strong daily routines and structure within the home.
Create space to help a reactive dog. Find their comfort distance, move away from triggers, and give them time to calm down.
“Management is just as important as training!,” stresses Daines. “Think of behavior as a muscle, the more you use, the stronger it gets. That goes for both wanted and unwanted behaviors.
Woodnutt says that when it comes to reactivity, rewarding your dog for being calm and relaxed is vital. “Once you’re further from the thing that’s worrying them, they should calm down a little, although you’ll notice they’re still on high alert.
Counter conditioning, in short, aims to change how the dog feels about a certain trigger (dog, person, heavy traffic etc) from a negative association over to a positive association,” explains trainer and behaviorist Adam Daines
Create space to help a reactive dog. Find their comfort distance, move away from triggers, and give them time to calm down.
Learning to understand your dog's language is crucial for their well-being. JW Dog Training & Behavior emphasizes the importance of communication to help dogs feel calm and relaxed.
Safe equipment provides comfort and relieves stress. Use a long line for off-leash worries or a spacious crate for a den-like environment at home.
Find routes with no negative experiences for reactive dogs to avoid triggers and prevent increased stress levels.
Seek professional help early on to address reactive dog behavior and rule out underlying health issues. Vet referral and pain relief trials can be beneficial.