Reactive Dogs

A reactive dog is one that overreacts to certain triggers in its environment—such as other dogs, people, bicycles, or loud noises. This reaction often looks like barking, lunging, growling, or pulling on the leash. It’s important to understand that reactivity is not the same as aggression; it’s usually driven by fear, frustration, or excitement. For example, a dog might bark and lunge because it feels threatened, or because it desperately wants to greet another dog but can’t.

Reactive behaviour can be stressful for both the dog and the owner, but it’s also very common. Many dogs develop reactivity due to lack of socialisation, negative experiences, or simply their natural temperament. The good news is that with patience, training, and understanding, reactive dogs can learn calmer responses and feel safer in the world.

Reactive dogs are more common than many people realise. Some surveys and research indicate up to 75% of dog owners reporting their dogs show at least occasional signs of reactivity.

Examples of Reactive Dogs

1. Leash-Reactive Dog

2. A dog that barks, lunges, or growls when it sees another dog while on a leash. This often happens because the leash limits their movement, creating frustration or fear.

   
   

3. Noise-Reactive Dog

   A dog that panics or barks excessively at loud sounds like fireworks, thunderstorms, or even vacuum cleaners.

   
   

4. Stranger-Reactive Dog

   A dog that becomes tense, growls, or hides when unfamiliar people approach, often due to fear or lack of socialisation.

   
   

5. Dog-Reactive Dog

   A dog that reacts strongly to other dogs—either out of fear, excitement, or frustration—especially in busy environments like parks.

   
   

6. Motion-Reactive Dog

   A dog that chases or lunges at moving objects such as bicycles, joggers, or cars because of high prey drive or anxiety responses.

Ultimately, the likelihood of owning a reactive dog is fairly high—and if you’d like help correcting this behaviour, please feel free to get in touch.