Supporting Your Reactive Dog

Reactive dogs aren’t “bad dogs”—they’re overwhelmed dogs. Loud noises, fast movements, or other animals can make them feel unsafe, and their barking or lunging is their way of saying, “I can’t handle this right now.”

The first step in helping your reactive dog is understanding that they’re not giving you a hard time; they’re having a hard time. Once you begin to understand that, you can start to help them.

A big part of supporting your reactive dog is managing their environment. That means giving them space from triggers, choosing quieter walking routes, and learning to spot early signs of stress before things escalate. Tools like treats, verbal praise, pets, or toys for good choices, creating distance from their triggers, and calm, confident body language help your dog stay under their “stress threshold,” where they can think and learn instead of panic. Consistency matters—small, steady wins build confidence over time.

Training should focus on teaching your reactive dog what to do instead of reacting. Rewarding calm behavior, practicing simple cues in easy environments, and slowly introducing controlled versions of their triggers can make a huge difference. If you need help, please don’t hesitate to reach out to a trainer whose methods and values align with yours. And don’t be afraid to seek out a balanced trainer if you’ve already tried other methods and those methods didn’t help.The goal is to help you and your dog build a strong, trusting relationship with each other so you can face the world with confidence and calmness.

Have a great day, and remember to stay calm and lead on. 🙂