Essentially, it is a reaction to something that is upsetting to your dog. Dogs may be reactive to people, animals, other dogs, noises, movement, or any combination of the above. A common display of reactivity is barking and lunging. The stimulus can vary from dog to dog, it can be other dogs, people. What is reactivity Reactivity is an overreaction to external stimuli. At Birch Bark, instead of only caring about what’s happening on the outside, we shift focus to changing what’s happening on the inside. Reactivity can be due to genetics, lack of proper socialization or a. When your dog sees (or hears) another dog they have an emotional response that causes them to behave in a certain way. Dogs that are reactive are those that overreact to certain things or situations. It is also essential to incorporate a basic manners dog training program into your daily routine to teach them to earn some of the things they want in life and to provide them with the mental and physical stimulation they need to be happy house pets.īMT addresses your dog's emotional state and prevents them from getting over-stimulated. Basic manners training teaches your dog focus and self-control, and reduces the amount of frustration they experience on walks - thus reducing their chances of becoming reactive. Dog-reactive dogs are those who respond to other dogs by becoming visibly aroused, pulling toward them, barking, growling and lunging. Reactivity involves a dog reacting to a stimulus by barking, growling lunging etc. Dog reactivity at its heart is not a behavioral problem: it’s an emotional problem. Where does this reactive behavior come from To understand. In order to solve your dog's leash reactivity, we recommend using Behavior Modification Training (BMT) that combines the principles of desensitization and counter-conditioning.īMT changes how your dog feels around their triggers (a trigger is any stimulus that prompts the reactive behavior). In some dogs, they may show a fearful response or try to run away from the thing that upsets them. Positive Science-Based Dog Training Desensitization & Counter-ConditioningĪt Dog Savvy Los Angeles, we are experts at identifying the root cause of your dog's behavior and helping you turn the behavior around.