The reactive dog exhibits abnormal and exaggerated canine behavior when it finds itself in a situation that causes it. It is different from an aggressive dog or a dog with a keen protective instinct. The reactive dog simply reacts abnormally to certain situations in everyday life that are considered common to other dogs. Dealing with the pet when the dog suddenly gets angry in the middle of the street or at theIf you have a reactive dog, you may wonder how best to put him at ease and avoid his overreacting behaviors. To help you, the Paws of the House talked to trainer Max Pablo, who explained what a reactive dog is and what to do to control this animal in a healthy and effective way. Check it out!

What is a reactive dog?

Many people think that reactive dogs are those who are super angry all the time. However, it's not quite like that. After all, what is a reactive dog? "A reactive dog is one that shows an abnormal level of excitement (hormonal or behavioral change), fear or stress in response to a normal stimulus," explains trainer Max. It can happen during walks, when seeing a new animal, when you're in the middle ofreceives visitors at home... the pet simply starts to act abnormally and exaggerate in these cases that are normally acceptable for dogs.

Of course, there are dogs that are agitated and become more euphoric when faced with situations like these, but in the case of a reactive dog, the problem goes further, since canine reactivity is usually associated with some discomfort felt by the animal, and not with an agitation or protective dog instinct (which are the most common causes of euphoria in these moments).

What can cause canine reactivity?

Knowing what a reactive dog is, the following question arises: what causes canine reactivity? Max explains that emotional, behavioral triggers or anything that generates some discomfort in the animal can trigger this behavior. The origin of this discomfort can come from traumas experienced in the past, lack of adequate socialization, stress and frequent exposure to inappropriate stimuli.

The reactive dog has a lack of self-confidence when he finds himself in certain situations and ends up overreacting. It is worth noting that reactive dogs do not necessarily exhibit this behavior all the time. They can be docile and calm most of the day, but canine reactivity comes to the fore when dogs are exposed to certain situations that make them feel bad for themselves.some reason.

How to deal with a reactive dog during walks?

A reactive dog in the presence of other people and animals can be dangerous, as the behavior can lead the pet to react aggressively. Thus, many guardians of reactive dogs are afraid to go out with the animal for a walk, even though they know that this activity brings many benefits to the dog. If this is your case, check out some tips from trainer Max for you to put into practice when it's time to go for a walk.Walking with a reactive dog: "Know how to handle the dog gently, giving him security and without giving affection or any kind of attention. The ideal is to show the dog that this is normal and does not pose any danger," he explains.

When your pet becomes agitated, afraid and stressed, it is normal to try to calm him down with affection. But if you do it immediately, he will think it is right to feel that way. Therefore, it is recommended to act safely and naturally. Be patient, as it is a gradual process. Start by keeping your distance from what causes discomfort to the animal (people, cats, other dogs...). With the pet watching youFrom a distance, work with positive associations, offering treats and words of encouragement. If the dog suddenly becomes angry, do not pet it, move away and start again. As it shows itself to be calmer, approach the "danger" gently, always respecting the animal's limits.

Positive association helps to accustom reactive dogs to the presence of visitors

Owners of reactive dogs are often afraid of their dog's behavior with visitors at home and therefore end up avoiding this situation. However, this can be controlled with certain stimuli that make the pet see the presence of visitors as something positive and natural. Positive training is the best way to make the dog see something that he previously saw bad as a positive thing."Associate the arrival and permanence of visits with positive stimuli, ignore the dog (if it is the visit) and propose depersonalized corrections", advises the trainer.

Are adult reactive dogs harder to train?

It's never easy to deal with when your dog suddenly gets angry. Not only is it dangerous for the people and animals around, but it's also bad for the animal itself, as it's clearly anxious, stressed and uncomfortable. That's why having this training on how to deal with reactive dogs is so important. Many people think that this training only works on puppies and think that the reactive dogMax explains that it can take longer to control canine reactivity in older pets, but it's not impossible. "Every older dog has had a certain stimulus for longer, so it can be more difficult to reverse the behavior. Usually, the only detail that weighs heavily is the time it will take to replace that behavior."he clarifies.

What precautions should the guardian of a reactive dog take in the pet's routine?

Everyone loves to be with their puppy, pet it all the time and even pamper it often. However, if your dog suddenly gets angry in certain situations and exhibits canine reactivity behaviors, know that you will need to go through some modifications in everyday life to reverse this situation efficiently. Trainer Max gives some tips on changes that should be madein the routine in order to mitigate the behavior of reactive dogs: "Eliminate affection, desensitize the dog with what he reacts to every day gradually, maintain a daily dog exercise routine and socialize with balanced and confident dogs," explains Max.

It is not such a simple task, as it is necessary to be firm to know when it is good to give a positive stimulus or not. In addition, keeping the pet active when it has reactivity behaviors can be complicated at first. But never give up on training and socialization, as the results are extremely positive for everyone.