Reactive Dog
Is your dog reactive?
Dealing with a reactive dog can be challenging and stressful. That’s why I want to provide you with tips and strategies to help your dog overcome their reactive behaviour and live a happy, healthy life.
Step 1: Practice Compassion
The first step in helping your reactive dog is to understand that your dog’s reactivity is not a result of bad behaviour, but rather a response to stress and anxiety. By practicing empathy, you can better understand your dog’s needs and feelings. Understanding that your dog is suffering will enable you to approach their training with patience, kindness, and understanding. This will provide them with the support and care they need to overcome their reactive behaviour.
Step 2: Create a Safe and Calming Environment
Creating a safe and calming environment for your dog is essential in helping them overcome their reactive behaviour. This includes providing your dog with a comfortable and quiet space to relax, minimising exposure to triggers, and using calming tools, such as pheromone sprays or calming music.
Step 3: Use Positive Reinforcement Training
Focus on positive reinforcement training, as this is the most effective way to help your dog overcome their reactive behaviour. This involves rewarding your dog for good behaviour, such as sitting calmly or ignoring a trigger, with food, toys, or praise. Avoid punishment or harsh corrections, as this will create more stress, fear or anxiety in your dog. Positive reinforcement training helps to build trust and confidence in your dog, and encourages them to behave in the way that you love.
Step 4: Implement Management Strategies
Implementing management strategies, such as avoiding triggers, keeping your dog on a leash or in a crate, and using muzzles can help prevent your dog from reacting aggressively and causing harm to themselves or others. These strategies can also provide a sense of control and security for you and your dog.
Step 4: Implement Management Strategies
Implementing management strategies, such as avoiding triggers, keeping your dog on a leash or in a crate, and using muzzles can help prevent your dog from reacting aggressively and causing harm to themselves or others. These strategies can also provide a sense of control and security for you and your dog.
Step 5: Practice Mindfulness
Practicing mindfulness can help you become more aware of your dog’s behaviour and needs. This includes being present in the moment, observing your dog’s body language, and responding to their needs with compassion and empathy.
Remember, helping your dog overcome their reactive behaviour takes time, patience, and compassion. It’s important to work closely with a professional trainer or behaviourist, and to remain committed to the training and behaviour modification plan. With the right approach and guidance, your dog can overcome their reactive behaviour and live a happy, healthy life.
You don’t have to struggle on your own. I am committed to helping you and your dog achieve success. If you need support with your reactive dog I am here for you. Contact me today to learn more about my programmes and how I can help your dog overcome their reactive behaviour.
Drop me a mail at barbara@namibdogtraining.com, call or WhatsApp +264 81 8008 264 or book a free call
