Companion Animals

Companion Dog Reactive Behaviour Management

Comprehensive management of reactive dog behavior to improve welfare for the dog and their owner.

Key Facts

Leash reactivity is rooted in frustration, fear, or a combination of both
Over-threshold exposure that provokes full reactive responses worsens sensitization over time
Management that keeps dogs under threshold enables learning and welfare during treatment
Distance from triggers is the primary management variable during counter-conditioning programs
Reactive dogs benefit from physical exercise through enriching, trigger-free environments

Welfare Considerations

Reactive behavior causes acute welfare distress for the dog and limits the enriching experiences they can access through walks and social contact. Effective management that reduces trigger exposure while treatment proceeds protects welfare during the potentially lengthy treatment process.

What You Can Do

Learn to recognize your dog's threshold and keep them consistently under it
Use counterconditioning techniques to build positive associations with former triggers
Provide adequate exercise through trigger-free routes and environments during treatment