Our first questions often relate to solutions when our dogs bark and lunge out on walks. Can reactive behaviour be cured? Will our dogs get used to other dogs they see? How do we best train a dog who is barking at others? Understanding why our dog is reactive is probably low on our list…
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Working with dogs post-lockdown has reaffirmed the vital importance of early experience in how your dogs respond to the world later in life. Many reactive dogs, particularly those who are fearful or anxious, are affected by the early formation of their understanding of the world. We are never in a position to turn back the…
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Some reactive dogs really struggle in new environments. Knowing you have a dog who is obsessed by novelty can help you choose training strategies that will really work. You may have notice that they find it a challenge to control their investigative impulses, but that is not the only sign. Here, you’ll find information to…
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Many typical programmes to stop barking and lunging on the leash fail because they start with a basic misunderstanding: reactive behaviour is rooted in fear. As you will have seen if you have been following this series, when dogs struggle to cope out on walks, there can be many reasons: Anxiety Fear Impulsivity Frustration Territoriality…
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One mistake that many people make with their reactive dog is how close they get to their dog’s triggers. Although this is far from true for most people with reactive dogs, some of us are simply going too fast and too close to things our dogs need to process. In many ways, barking and lunging…
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‘I was coming home from a walk with my and my neighbour was outside his house. We started chatting but my dog was barking and lunging at him. When he tried to move away, my dog grabbed his trousers! I’m so embarrased! Is my dog protecting me?’ ‘I’ve got a really embarrassing problem… Every time…
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Do you have a dog who struggles to settle in the home or garden if there is noise outside? If so, this article will help you understand what’s going on with your dog. You should also find some strategies to help you cope. Many reactive dogs struggle in the home. Although they may bark and…
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Do you have a dog who barks and lunges on lead but seems much better when they’re allowed to run up and greet others? If so, this article will help you make sense of your dog’s behaviour. If you’ve ever shouted ‘Don’t worry! He’s friendly!’ as other dog guardians struggle to disentangle their dog from…
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This article is the third in a series to help you understand your reactive dog. So far, we have looked at: Anxiety in reactive dogs Fearfulness in reactive dogs It may not seem important to understand the role of impulse control in your reactive dog, but without truly understanding the role it plays in reactive…
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There are three ways we can really start to help our fearful dogs. Understanding what fear is, what it looks like and which strategies are likely to help can make all the difference. Although it overlaps with anxiety, it is different and it’s helpful to understand how they differ as well as where they intersect.…
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