Dear Critter Corner: I adopted my dog about a year ago and they have been so sweet, but recently they have started to bark at other dogs while out on our walks. What can I do to work on this behavior so we can walk near dogs again?
Noticing that your dog is becoming reactive can be frustrating and worrying. However, it is important to understand that a reactive dog is not necessarily an aggressive dog. A reactive dog may bark, lunge, or growl when faced with a trigger. This behavior can happen when a dog feels overwhelmed by strong emotions like frustration, excitement, or fear.
The first step is to identify your dog’s triggers. Pay attention to what causes the reaction and how close the trigger needs to be before your dog starts to react. Observe your dog’s body language for early warning signs of heightened emotions, such as staring and raised hair on their back. Understanding these patterns will help you manage situations better and keep your dog from becoming overwhelmed.
Avoid punishing reactive behavior. Yelling, pulling on the leash, or other negative actions can increase fear and anxiety, worsening the issue. Instead, focus on positive reinforcement. Reward your dog with treats or praise whenever they notice a trigger and stay calm. This helps create positive associations and shows them that good things happen when triggers appear.
Teaching basic obedience skills can also help. Commands like “sit,” “watch me,” and “leave it” give your dog different actions to take when faced with a trigger. Practice these skills in low-distraction environments before using them in public to increase success.
If your dog’s reactions are intense, getting worse, or hard to manage, consider consulting a professional dog trainer or behaviorist. Early intervention often leads to better outcomes and can stop reactive behaviors from becoming more ingrained.
Consistency is essential. Everyone in your household should use the same training methods and reward calm behavior. Progress may be slow, and setbacks are common, especially during developmental phases. However, with patience, understanding, and positive training methods, many reactive puppies develop into confident, well-adjusted adult dogs.
Mike Thomas is the Canine Socialization Assistant for the Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA Behavior Department. For more information, please visit phs-spca.org, call 650-340-7022, or email behavior@phs-spca.org.