The Reactivity Toolbox!
Before You Dive In
Every dog is different, which means there is no single training plan that works for every situation.
Rather than offering a step-by-step programme, this Toolbox brings together the practical principles, observations and rules of thumb I rely on every day. Think of it as a field guide: designed to help you understand what’s happening, avoid common mistakes and make better decisions.
Understanding the principles is the first step. Applying them to the individual dog in front of you is where experience, observation and coaching make the biggest difference.
Maintain Distance!
The Principle
Dropping your dog into a pile on doesn’t help them. Keep distances manageable. This isnt about avoiding triggers, its about avoiding bad situations! We have two dogs, the dog that can think, learn good lessons and react well. Then we have the overwhelmed dog. Distance is one of the things that choses which you get!
What to Remember
- Distance is avoiding triggers, its avoiding situations
- When we push the dog, we push it above threshold
- Nothing is gained from practicing a reaction
Common Mistake
Thinking that being close to triggers will fix reactivity.
Don't Train Every Day!
The Principle
Atheletes Rest. CEO’s rest. Pilots rest… Dogs should to. We don’t always need to push the boundaries every day. Taking time off is just as valuable as working. Dogs build up stress hormones just like we do, taking time to let those work their way out of the dogs system, is a good thing. Being on edge every day because we know its going to be another work day… That slows down ALL the training
What to Remember
- Knowing that theres no down time not only colours today, it colours tomorrow too.
- We need time to take things on board
- Push, Push, Push leads to Pull, Pull, Pull
Common Mistake
We can’t force reactivity to go, through sheer force of will. Its a process not a destination.
Don't Hang Around
The Principle
If you’re scared of spiders, being surrounded by them isn’t fun. The longer we’re there, the more we get wound up. Being in a stressful situation isn’t 1 second of stress… Its 1+1+1+1 and all of a sudden, it’s a LOT. If your dog is getting wound up, get out of dodge.
What to Remember
- Stress stacks… Every second is another little stress block
- Theres only so much we can take before it gets too much and we react
- Getting out of the situation isn’t failing, it’s working the dog in front of you
Common Mistake
Not making the decision sooner… Listen to your dog
Keep it simple
The Principle
Reactivity isn’t about doing more, its often about doing less. “Don’t be a barky twat” is hard enough without sit, down, look at me, don’t you move, twist, spin, regulate your emotions, now paw. Know your training but don’t make it a list of chores to do. You can’t obedience a scared dog into being less scared.
What to Remember
- Obedience isn’t Behaviour work. Their called different things for a reason.
- The dog has enough to deal with, adding more isn’t necessarily helping
- And do YOU really want 20 things to remember?
Common Mistake
Adding more and more… Just don’t do it.
Your fearful dog IS NOT acting up
The Principle
A reacting dog is a struggling dog. They’re not bad, their having a melty…They want to succeed… But they can’t… Remember we’re here to help! When we look at a dog that ISN’T being good, we are asking, “why are you playing up for me” when we see a dog that isn’t ABLE to be good, we ask “what can I do to help… That’s a different thing entirely.
What to Remember
- The dogs doing its best, and so are you. Take a breath
- Reactions aren’t aimed at you, they’re not rebellion, their exceptions
- Help yourselves… Leave, get space, reset
Common Mistake
Taking it personally. It’s a lot easier to deal with when you remember its not anyones fault.
Same goes for the dog that cant find the off switch
The Principle
It’s far harder to empathise with a dog that’s just constantly on it. But its a different side of the same coin. the dogs got so much input, their brains fried… The struggle isn’t a tucked tail, its one that won’t stop, but it’s still a dog that’s struggling with the environment
What to Remember
- This isn’t necessarily disobedience. This could be genetics, socialisation, learned behaviours. Not just “don’t wanna”
- It’s just as much of a struggle as fear could be
- It’s not malicious. it’s a dog being a dog… In a human world
Common Mistake
The same as before. taking it personally. The dog doesn’t hate you, their running on fumes and have gone straight to ‘pure dog mode’
Read More – What is Frustration Based Reactivity
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