Reactive Dogs / Reactive Hondentraining
"MY DOG DOES NOT TAKE TREATS OR TOY AND DOES NOT LISTEN"
"MY DOG REACTS ON PEOPLE HE/SHE DOESN´T KNOW"
"MY DOG HATES OTHER DOGS"
"I AM ASHAMED TO TAKE MY DOG ANYWHERE"
"MY DOG IS CALLED DANGEROUS"
"I CANNOT TAKE MY DOG TO THE VET"
"I HAVE TO WALK MY DOG WHEN THERE IS NO ONE ELSE AROUND"
Sounds familiar? You're Not Alone!
Reactive dog training
If your dog lunges, barks, growls, or pulls frantically at other dogs, people, or traffic your dog is struggling, and they need specialist support. Reactive dog training is one of the most rewarding areas of behaviour work, and with the right approach, real change is achievable.
What is reactive dog training
The foundation of training a reactive dog, just like the cornerstone of training any dog, is a strong and trusting relationship. At the core of this relationship is clear and understandable communication. In addition, the owner or handler must be able to communicate with the dog in a way that the dog understands on an emotional level.
Another essential part of training is teaching the dog the value of reinforcement. It is important to understand what makes reinforcement meaningful, what praise truly is, what it represents to the dog, and what emotional state we ourselves should have when praising the dog.
Furthermore, we must understand the dog’s emotional world and stress mechanisms, as these play a significant role in emotional and behavioral responses and how to handle stressful situations.
In my training, I guide every dog owner/handler through these principles so that each dog can feel more relaxed, live with less chaos and stress, and so that every owner can genuinely enjoy life with their beloved furry friend.
We take time to assess your dog as an individual their triggers, their threshold, and what calms them before building a tailored plan. We work at your dog's pace, not against it. Alongside training your dog, we also coach you, because how you respond in the moment makes a significant difference to how quickly your dog progresses.
Many reactive dog owners have stopped walking their dogs, avoid certain routes, or dread leaving the house. Our goal is to give you and your dog your freedom back, to enjoy walks without anxiety on either end of the lead.
Why dogs are reactive?
A dog’s behavior is fundamentally driven by emotions. Reactivity in dogs is often based on the emotions the dog experiences in a specific situation, as well as on previous experiences. In stressful, threatening, or frustrating situations, a dog’s emotional state may manifest as reactive behavior.
Frequently asked questions
Q: My dog is only reactive on the lead — is that normal?
Yes, this is very common. Lead reactivity often develops because the lead prevents a dog from using their natural flight response, so they escalate to fight behaviour instead. This is very treatable with the right training.
Q: How long does reactive dog training take?
There's no single answer, as it depends on how established the reactivity is, the dog's history, and how consistently the training is reinforced at home.
Q: Can I bring my dog if they've snapped or lunged before?
Yes. We work with dogs at all levels of reactivity. Safety protocols are in place from the very first session, and we never put your dog in a situation they're not ready for.
Q: Do you work with rescue dogs?
Yes. Many reactive dogs have come from difficult backgrounds, and rescue dogs make up a large part of the dogs we work with. Their history is always taken into account.