National Dog Training Education Month in February

Tips to Help Reactive Dogs on Walks

We’ve had some nice days for walks so far in February, and we’ve also seen a heightened level of reactive dogs out for walks lately. It’s a good time to think about National Dog Training Education Month. 

Positive K9 training offers this definition of reactive dogs:

“A reactive dog is one that over-reacts to stimuli in its environment. It can include other dogs, animals, people, cars, and more. Some of the most common signs of reactivity are barking, lunging, growling, and snapping.”

And here’s a helpful chart:

As you can see, reactivity starts before a dog shows signs of wanting to bite. In the early stages of reactivity, a dog will still listen to its owner. In the “red zone,” the dog has stopped listening and is completely focused on the perceived “threat.” 

By paying attention to the early cues, over time and with patient training, a dog owner may be able to stop potentially dangerous behavior in its tracks. 

Tips for Walking Reactive Dogs

Addressing a dog’s reactivity problem will make life better for you, your dog and everyone around you. Here are some tips for increasing safety during walks with a reactive dog:

• Take walks at non-peak times. If you notice your walking path is busier than your dog can handle, reschedule your walk. 
• Your dog is very attentive to your mood, emotions and behavior. Keep calm and focus on your own dog at all times. If you tense up, your dog will become alarmed. 
• Keep your voice calm and avoid rapid movements. 
• Investigate local training resources to get expert help. 
• If you feel like training doesn’t “work,” consider other ways to exercise your dog. If you have a backyard, for instance, play rousing games of fetch. 

What’s a Walker to Do?

As a pedestrian, you can take steps to keep yourself safe:

• People with reactive dogs know their dogs struggle with their triggers. If you see someone walking with a dog away from the crowd, don’t approach them. 
• We’ve noticed lately that leashes with handles are popular with some owners of reactive dogs. If we see a dog with that type of leash, we give them a wide berth. 
• Same goes for if you see a dog wearing a muzzle or other restraint.
• If you suspect a dog coming towards you may be dangerous, don’t hesitate to take a different path. It may not be ideal, but better safe than sorry. 

Remember, on a walk, it is the dog owner’s responsibility to maintain control over their dog at all times. You are responsible for caring for your dog, educating yourself on canine behavior and providing the right training for your dog. Let’s all work together to make walks happier for dogs and humans alike!