Stocky & Dee
Mar 9, 2025
How to encourage positive interactions with a reactive dog and what NOT to do.
5 top tips
Stocky & Dee
Mar 9, 2025
How to encourage positive interactions with a reactive dog and what NOT to do.
5 Top Tips
If you have a dog that tends to react to other dogs, whether by barking, lunging, or showing signs of stress, you’re not alone! Reactivity is common, and while it can feel overwhelming, the good news is that with patience, the right techniques, and a little bit of training, you can help your pup feel more comfortable and confident around other dogs. In this post, we’ll cover five key strategies to encourage positive interactions, as well as five common mistakes to avoid. With the right approach, you can turn stressful encounters into smoother, more enjoyable experiences for both you and your dog!
5 Tips to Encourage Positive Interactions with a Reactive Dog:
1. Increase Distance & Gradual Exposure
Start introducing your dog to other dogs from a safe distance where they remain calm. Slowly decrease the distance over time while rewarding good behavior.
2. Use High-Value Rewards
Reward your dog with treats, praise, or toys when they remain calm around other dogs. This helps them associate positive experiences with other dogs.
3. Engage in Structured Activities
Walking parallel to another dog at a distance, rather than direct face-to-face meetings, can help reduce tension and allow your dog to adjust gradually.
4. Read & Respect Their Body Language
Pay close attention to signs of stress (e.g., stiff body, growling, lip licking). If your dog is uncomfortable, remove them from the situation before they react. Make sure not to use treats or praise to attempt to calm them here, simply move away from the situation and redirect their attention.
5. Train Alternative Behaviors
Teach commands like "look at me," "leave it," or "sit" to redirect their attention when another dog is nearby. Reward them for obeying to reinforce calm behavior.
5 Things NOT to Do with a Reactive Dog
1. Don't Punish the Reaction
Yelling or using force can make their fear or aggression worse. Instead, focus on positive reinforcement for calm behavior. If your dog reacts, the best thing to do is either move away from the situation or try to redirect their attention using "look at me."
2. Don't Force Interactions
Dragging or pushing your dog toward another dog when they’re uncomfortable can increase anxiety and make reactivity worse.
3. Don't Overwhelm Them Too Quickly
Exposing your dog to a crowded dog park or a busy street full of dogs before they're ready can backfire. Take slow, controlled steps.
4. Don't Keep a Tight Lead
A constantly tense lead can signal to your dog that something is wrong and increase their anxiety. Try to keep a loose lead while maintaining control, if a dog is coming towards you do your best to keep a lose lead and a calm demeaner in yourself as dogs can pick up on your anxiety.
5. Don't Ignore Triggers
If you see an approaching dog that you know will cause a reaction, take proactive steps to redirect your dog’s attention or move them away before they react. If moving away, do so calmly utilising commands such as "this way" or "look at me" to redirect their attention as you move away.
Helping a reactive dog navigate interactions with other dogs takes patience, consistency, and a positive approach. By using gradual exposure, rewarding calm behavior, and avoiding common mistakes like forcing interactions or tightening the lead, you can build your dog’s confidence over time. One of the most important things you can do is stay calm yourself, dogs feed off our energy, so if you remain relaxed, they’re more likely to follow suit. Likewise, keeping a loose lead instead of a tense grip helps signal to your dog that there’s nothing to be worried about. With time, practice, and the right techniques, you can transform stressful encounters into more peaceful, positive experiences for both you and your furry friend!