Reactivity is one of the most misunderstood behaviours in dogs. It's not aggression. It's not dominance. Here's what's really going on and what you can do about it.
A reactive dog is one that overreacts to certain triggers — usually other dogs, people, vehicles, or specific sounds. The overreaction typically looks like lunging, barking, growling, or pulling hard towards (or away from) the trigger.
Reactivity is not the same as aggression, although it can look similar from the outside. Most reactive dogs are actually anxious or over-aroused, not trying to attack. Understanding this distinction is the first step to fixing it.
There are several common causes: lack of early socialisation, a bad experience with another dog, genetics, or simply a dog that has learned that reacting makes the scary thing go away. In many cases, it's a combination of all of these.
In most cases, yes. I've worked with severely reactive dogs across Suffolk and Ipswich — dogs that other trainers had turned away — and achieved significant, lasting improvements. The key is understanding the root cause and addressing it systematically, not just managing the symptoms.
If your dog is reactive, book a free consultation and let's talk through what's happening and how I can help.
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