Companion Animals

Dog Reactive Behaviour Training Evidence Base

Reactive behaviour toward people or dogs is one of the most common reasons dog owners seek professional help.

Key Facts

Reactivity is characterised by excessive barking, lunging or growling in response to triggers
Triggers commonly include unfamiliar dogs, strangers, traffic, cyclists and unexpected sounds
The majority of reactivity has an underlying anxiety or fear component rather than aggression
Threshold management - keeping dogs below their reactive threshold - is fundamental to rehabilitation
Counterconditioning and desensitisation have the strongest evidence base for reducing reactivity

Welfare Considerations

Reactive dogs experience chronic low-level fear or anxiety that peaks to distress during trigger encounters. Owners often experience distress, frustration and social isolation as a result. Evidence-based rehabilitation that addresses the emotional component of reactivity improves welfare for both dogs and their owners.

What You Can Do

Seek referral to an ABTC-registered behaviourist for assessment and a structured treatment plan
Avoid flooding, alpha rolls or other punishment-based methods which worsen fear-based reactivity
Join a force-free reactive dogs class to build skills in a controlled environment
Be patient - reactive behaviour rehabilitation takes months of consistent work