Dog-Reactivity: barking and lunging at other dogs

What is reactivity?

Reactivity is simply an overreaction, an over-the-top display to something harmless (not a real threat) and often looks like barking, lunging, growling, and hackling. Reactivity is usually a loud, dramatic display, often appearing aggressive or frantic.

Why is my dog reactive?

Reactivity is driven by one of, or a mix of, the following: fear, frustration, and desire or genetic drive.

Fear of other dogs

Why would dogs be afraid of other dogs? This can happen for a variety of reasons, and for some dogs it may be a combination of several things, including inadequate socialization prior to 12 weeks, a bad experience, learned behavior, or genetics.

INADEQUATE SOCIALIZATION

Dogs are often afraid of other dogs due to inadequate socialization during puppyhood. The socialization period of development ends at approximately 12 weeks, so if your puppy didn’t have positive or neutral exposure to other dogs before 12 weeks, they’re more likely to have reactivity issues as an adolescent or adult. Many pet owners think that exposure to their littermates is enough or exposure to another dog in their home is enough - it’s not.

BAD EXPERIENCE

Fear can also be due to a traumatic experience, like being attacked by another dog. I’ve seen quite a few dogs, including my own, who were dog-neutral or dog-friendly until they got attacked by another dog. This causes them to become fearful and vigilant, always worrying they’ll be blindsided and attacked again. In fact, maybe it’s best to get that other dog before they can get you. For very sensitive puppies or dogs, this can even happen by an overly friendly but rude dog who barrels up in their face and won’t back off, maybe even trying to initiate play in an intense, pushy way.

GENETICS

Anxiety has a large genetic component, so anxious dogs are more likely to birth anxious puppies. If you’re buying from a breeder, be sure you meet the parents and they’re confident, social dogs. Mom’s stress hormones are passed to the puppies in utero, preparing them to enter into a stressful and scary world before they’re ever born. Any situation where a pregnant dog is chronically stressed or anxious will negatively impact the puppies, such as puppy mills, backyard breeders, a stray pregnant dog, a pregnant dog in a shelter environment, or just that mom is naturally an anxious dog.

LEARNED BEHAVIOR

In addition to genetics, puppies also learn behavior from watching mom. Imagine a litter of puppies, from birth to 8 weeks old, watching their mom go ballistic at the fence every time a dog walked by. What are those puppies learning? They’re learning from a very early age that new dogs are scary and must be kept away.

Fearful dogs use reactivity to gain space to make themselves feel safer. Their reactive displays are an attempt to get that other dog to leave them alone.

Frustrated

Sometimes a dog might be really friendly and love playing with other dogs but has a complete meltdown if not allowed to approach or greet another dog. This is also called leash frustration and comes from being unable to do what they want - essentially a dramatic tantrum. These dogs often have poor frustration tolerance and poor impulse control in other areas of their life as well.

Even though this may not start off as aggression, it can quickly slide into real aggression as the reactive dog gets more and more frustrated and adrenalized. Intense, reactive behavior isn't typically well-received by other dogs either, so it's a good idea to have your reactive dog keep a distance from other dogs when behaving badly, regardless of the motivation behind it.

This is why I encourage puppy owners to not allow their puppy to greet every other dog they encounter. This can really cause problems down the road when your puppy expects, then demands, to greet everyone and has a tantrum when they can’t. Friendly dogs are great, but even better is a friendly dog with a good frustration tolerance… or even a neutral dog.

Frustrated reactivity can also be seen with dogs who are defensive and frustrated that they can’t chase that other dog or person away. They aren’t friendly and don’t want to say hi, but they’re not fearful.

These dogs use reactivity to REDUCE space and get closer to the other dog.

It’s just fun!

These are the dogs who just love their outbursts. They find the act of barking and lunging incredibly rewarding. The behavior releases large amounts of dopamine in the brain, making it an almost addictive behavior. These are generally dogs with a genetic predisposition to defensiveness and guarding behavior - like German shepherds. Because it’s intrinsically rewarding, this type of reactivity is more challenging to train away, and this dog must NOT be allowed to rehearse this behavior because of how highly rewarding it is.

Even for dogs who start off as fearful or frustrated, there becomes a component of “this is fun!” The reactivity becomes addicting and just another fun thing they get to do. If allowed to continue long enough, all reactivity will become at least partially enjoyable for the dog.

These dogs are reactive simply because it’s fun. It’s what they’re bred to do. Or over time it’s simply become a fun activity.

Big reaction or small reaction?

You've probably noticed your dog's reaction to other dogs varies, with some eliciting a strong reaction and others not triggering your dog much at all. Common triggers for a more aggressive or dramatic response include:

• the other dog’s level of reactivity - another reactive dog is likely going to set them off

• the other dog's energy level - quick-moving dogs will elicit a bigger reaction

• how close the dog is to them

• proximity of the dog to your dog's territory, such as your home, car, or yard

• your dog's current stress or arousal level

My approach to reactivity

I don’t use methods like BAT, CAT, LAT, obedience, or even counterconditioning.

I take a two-pronged approach: stop the reactivity and then teach them how to appropriately interact with other dogs.

The goal for reactivity should be to get them around other dogs off leash and have them behave appropriately. If you still need a leash and distance and treats to distract them - you haven’t resolved the reactivity.

Does my dog-reactive dog need friends?

The black dog was quite dog-reactive and scared, and she learned that playing with other dogs was pretty fun!

I see a lot of reactive dogs get past their reactivity and then realize that they actually really enjoy playing with other dogs. For many reactive dogs, having playmates can be HUGELY beneficial, and it’s why I offer a private playgroup for clients.

Some dogs are just not social, and that’s okay. They don’t need friends but they DO need to know how to coexist with other dogs and communicate appropriately.

Now what?

If you’re feeling overwhelmed about where to go from here, and the thought of your dog happily playing with new dogs sounds laughable but you’d love it - let’s talk! I provide 1-1, step-by-step guidance to resolving your dog’s reactivity at their own pace.