Every so often while I’m out at some dog function or dog park, I cross paths with a dog owner with a dog that is standing next to her and barking its head off at me or my dog. The owner will usually say something like, “I would let my dog greet you but he is aggressive with other dogs.” I’m sure the owner has lots of experience with her own dog but to my eye the dog is clearly fearful and is just trying to get me and my dog to move away. This is not an aggressive dog. This is a fearful dog that is just reacting to something that is frightening it. It is a reactive dog.
I think that the first step in helping any reactive dog is to acknowledge and accept that the dog is reacting out of fear. It is not acting aggressive for its own pleasure or benefit. Too often I see people dealing with reactive dogs as if these dogs are trying to aggressively assert themselves in order to be “top dog” or “alpha” or to gain some advantage. When I look at the dog, nothing could be further from the truth. Most of these dogs would be happier if their owner just moved them away from the other dog or person. They don’t want to fight, they want to feel safe.
A little history
Over the centuries the dog has become a brilliant scavenger species. Dogs have learned to tolerate the presence of humans in order to get food and other comforts from us. It has enabled dogs to become a very successful species. From a survival perspective, it makes little sense for dogs to have an aggressive nature. Energy spent fighting over some food could be better spent just finding a different source of food. Dog populations around the world generally thrive near human settlements where food is plentiful and populations grow to make use of the available resources. The basic biological design of the dog makes them tend toward avoiding conflict if they can. It just makes more sense.
The dogs we keep as pets have been bred from these free-range scavenging dogs. The village dogs around the world are literally the most immediate ancestors of all of the wonderful breeds we see at dog shows. So it only makes sense that much of the biological wiring from village dogs would remain in our dogs. In fact, our domesticated breeds have become even more successful at tolerating humans than the village dogs. They have gotten into the house and have regular mealtimes and other comforts.
What’s all the noise about
So what do we make of the dog that suddenly erupts in a fit of barking and lunging at the approach of another dog or person? While it is not in the nature of dogs to be truly aggressive, it is possible for a dog to feel rewarded by their aggressive behaviour. There are dogs that will seek out fights and derive pleasure from the conflict. These dogs are extremely rare but it’s important to acknowledge that some do exist. If the dog is barking and lunging, it is likely they will calm down as soon as the other dog or person turns and moves away. That is not a dog looking for a fight. That is a reactive dog.
A reactive dog is afraid. The old saying that “The best defense is a good offense” is a good description of reactive dogs. The reactive dog that is barking and lunging is making a fuss in order to get the other dog or person to go away. The posturing and barking and lunging behaviours are all part of what veterinarian Bonnie Beaver calls “Distance Increasing Behaviours” in her book “Canine Behavior: A Guide for Veterinarians.” The dog is simply trying to put more distance between themselves and the thing they fear. And if the owner is not going to move them away, they will try to frighten the others off somehow.
Many dog owners will respond to their barking dog by scolding it. From my perspective, last thing a frightened dog needs is to have their owner become angry and upset. But social situations and outdated thinking can lead owners to believe that their fearful dog is just “misbehaving” or “acting out” for one reason or another. In that moment when their dog is reactive, an owner’s first response could be to just try to stop the unwanted behaviour without considering why the dog is behaving that way. And that can make things worse. Much worse. Instead of scolding, we should be helping the reactive dog.
Fighting chemistry
A reactive dog just wants to be farther away from the thing they are reacting to. That may sound almost ridiculously obvious but you might be surprised at the number of people who just stand with their frightened dogs telling them to be quiet. When a dog is frightened, they are in “fight or flight” mode. All of that survival circuitry in their brain is going off and sounding the alarm. Chemicals like adrenaline and cortisol are busy filling their brain with automatic responses for survival. This is not the time to try to teach them something.
If I want to help a reactive dog to learn from any experience, the first thing I need to do is clear that fog of hormones and biochemistry that come with the “fight or flight” reaction. The best way to help them learn is to engage them before that fear reaction, before all of those brain chemicals switch on the automatic responses. But in order to do that, I need to know just how much is too much for my dog to handle. Fortunately, my dog has lots of warning signs before they freak out entirely – how they hold their ears and tail, their body posture, widening of the eyes, stiffness in movement, and even growls or other low vocalizations. The point at which the dog goes from wary and concerned into full blown reactive behaviour is often called its threshold. Once my dog is over that threshold, any training I might be trying to do is bouncing off of their head.
It’s in the wires
If every dog worked the same way, there would be one book or DVD that could tell you how to cure your reactive dog. The fact is there are hundreds, probably thousands. Each different breed of dog has slight differences. Each breeding line within a breed has slight differences. In fact, each pup within a litter has slight differences. And when you combine that with the effects of training and experience, determining what a dog will react to and how to deal with it can be a complex business. You just have to watch your dog and learn to understand how they are feeling.
Something we have learned about in the last few years is that sometimes you can’t train your way out of a reactivity problem. Much of reactivity has to do with brain chemistry and sometimes what a dog is born with can’t be changed through training alone. Different dogs will have different brain chemistry. Health and living conditions also play a role and things like chronic stress or hypothyroidism can cause lasting changes in brain chemistry that will change a dog’s behaviour to make them more reactive. We have discovered that even working with a great training plan and a great trainer will not bring much progress if you are fighting the genetics and brain chemistry of the dog. But there is hope. Just as we have with humans, new classes of drugs are now available to help dogs with anxiety and fearful behaviours caused or exacerbated by chemical imbalances in the brain.
Sometimes the best thing to do when dealing with a reactive dog is talk to your veterinarian. Any training plan that doesn’t produce some improvement in a relatively short time should be a red flag. In many cases, a veterinarian may give you a clean bill of health and some suggestions on diet and exercise. But many veterinarians also have connections with local behaviour specialists who can help you work through complex problems and many of those specialists work with the veterinarian if medication is prescribed for your dog. Don’t be afraid to get your health and behaviour professionals involved.
Bottom line
Whenever I see a dog barking and making a fuss in our direction when I’m out at the local park, I try to be understanding and put some distance between us. Chances are that the other dog is afraid and is reactive. The kindest thing I can do is to give that dog some space. Reactive dogs need understanding, not correction. The first step to helping a reactive dog is helping them feel safe. Only then can we begin to help them get over their fear and anxiety. There are lots of training programs and techniques to help reactive dogs but they all depend on the dog being in a frame of mind where they can learn. Learning to help my dog feel safe and protected is one of the most important skills I’ve learned.
Until next time, have fun with your dogs!
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Photo credits –
Terrier – copyright Quinn Dombrowski 2009 from Flickr
Nervous – copyright BigOakFlickr 2015 from Flickr
Safe -copyright Donald Lee Pardue 2013 from Flickr
P.S.
Don’t know if you have kids. But training dogs and kids to behave is very similar. I Have spoken to a doctor that specialized in child development and is all about positive reinforcement. Told the Doc how I turned around a problem toddler using timeout (with a talk about why he was in timeout at the end) and a swat to the butt when needed. In under a month he would go almost a week without needing timeout he listen and did as told and showed me more love and affection and was happier. After Showing him I was Boss and he didn’t need to act out to get my attention. The doctor said I handled it perfectly.
So that is a Doc specialized child development for people saying there is a time it is okay to swat a butt as long as you’re not trying to really hurt them and you only need one or two it’s meant to shock them a little is all Same goes for a dog you’re just trying to shock them a little they should know you love them to death already and you don’t like to punish them just like a kid. Shoot a lab is sposta be as smart as a 5 year old!
Hey Eric
Wanted to comment on your old article. “dog trainings latest buzzword balance”
Because of people like you writing articles like that and all of the all positive training BS
I had to have a huge fight with my mother in law today.
Here is some science for you. Wolfs really are dogs. I had one best smartest dog I ever owned.
Every Dog Is Different. Some have instincts to herd. Our male australian shepherd will try to herd the other dogs if they don’t come when called.
But all dogs instinctively pick a place in the the pack. Depending on the temperament of the dog some will be easy to train others harder. Why is this Is it? Because they are stupid or stubborn? No It is a combination of their temperament and where they feel they belong in the pack. A dog that feels like He or she is Alpha of the pack or home is gonna be the hardest dog to train all the hours in the world in training and he/she may never come the first time you call and he/she might pull when you walk him but he loves you like his Beta!!!! Unless he has been shown you are alpha.
Some Dogs this is easy they want you to be alpha others might need to be pinned down on their backs in no way harm them if they struggle tell them NO in a very firm voice but let them loose before they can hurt themselves or you and retry. your goal is around 30 second without struggle. This is the nicest way to tell your dog you are alpha.
This would be done in a pack by a male fighting to make
pack leader the winner would pin the loser on his back telling him I’m the Alpha not you.
then they both give kisses saying they are sorry to each other. you see this in play fighting with pet dogs
I do this with all dogs that I train. I’m not a pro. But have trained a fair share of dogs in my life.
Alpha Wolf’s will growl and even nip to teach the others some need the growl only others he has to add the nip.
Knowing all this and knowing positive training I really like Balanced training (Positive and Alpha Mixed).
There’s a reason why balanced training works faster instinctually they learn from Alpha but pure alpha is worse than pure positive.
So when I train my voice can get mean (shoot my neighbor thought I was beating the dogs as mean as I sounded correcting our ADHD – alpha dog). But I don’t believe in hurting a dog so when a spanking is necessary. It is one swat to the butt with a mean tone. But the swat to the butt is the same one I give in love thats makes all the doggies smile. But with the mean raise tone added to it it’s a little scary and enough to let them know that they went over the line and they need to listen to you.
I think what made me most mad was when you said that the dogs trained with ballance where less full of life after being trained.
Every dog I ever trained with ballance was just as happy after training as before only difference when a command was given they do what they are told and rarely have to tell them twice. Why do they do this? Is it because they fear me no? It is because they love me and want me to be happy like them. most dogs don’t like it when you get mad even if it’s not at them. And there is the added bonus that they will get love and praises when then do it and maybe even a treat if they are lucky.
When I moved is with my wife and her family they had 4 dogs. 2 where my wife’s since. Then my wife expressed she really wanted to breed dogs. So we got 2 purebred females to breed with our males.
So we have a total of 6 dogs and 6 people living together.
Fixed the one female that was mixed breed and also happened to be the ADHA one that thought she was alpha she also has a peeing problem. My mother in law and wife both think she will never be 100% house broken but since i have been working with her she is slowly improving on letting us know she needs to go outside. Best when I’m around but that is because my mother in law still needs to get her to accept her as a alpha. For me she is starting to jump against the sliding glass door to alert me that she is waiting to go out. But will only walk over by the door and wait about a min then pee if not let out for anyone else.
So Here is my point:
You named off every event at a dog show but ONE!!!!!!!!!!
And it’s the only event that serious dog show people go for Confirmation!
Why is that? If I had to guess you couldn’t train him to stand still and walk with you.
But if you adopted him as a troubled dog I’d understand. But why as a trainer you would pick a dog that wasn’t gonna train easy to show your client’s your dog is perfectly trained blows my mind.
So maybe someday I will see you at a show because my wife and I plan to show our dog’s in confirmation and other events. I’ll be the one showing the really happy dog that listens and behaves like a angel and most likely my dog will be holding its own leash in his mouth when outside the ring staying right next to me because he loves me and likes to be a good boy or girl and likes show off how good he/she is.
Two reason my dog will be like that. One I know how to pick a dog so it is easy to train. And Two I’m Alpha and my dog knows that.
O ya and to comment on this article easiest way to teach a dog not to bark is to teach it to bark (speak) on command then it should already know the word “NO” so it is a easy step to teach “no speak” then they stop as soon as they start you didn’t have to yell or get mad. Some even will mute there bark or two to test if its okay to bark before letting out a full one if not told “No Speak” when they start Praise then when they stop if in public it will help calm they from what they are reacting too.
Almost dogs can be trained if you are willing to show a little dominance and A TON OF LOVE.
It’s sad you say it’s just their brain and they might need drugs from a vet. Sad you think drugging a dog making it a zombie is better than showing a little aggression to put it in its place. Or in this case ever think of herbal remedies for calming if they are just scared try suggesting “Brave Balm” or “Calming Balm” it’s for horses and dogs. 100% safe essential oils
A dog Is less likely to be scared if it knows its owner can be big and scary and keep it safe out in the strange unknown world but a owner that will not hurt a fly? How would you feel about them protecting you? would you feel safe? Yet expect the dog to feel safe Alphas will fight off predators keep the pack safe or die trying dogs know that and feel safer.
Hi Ryan –
Thanks for your thoughts.
I would suggest you revisit the science on the biology of dogs as a starting point. The current consensus is that dogs evolved FROM wolves. That would mean that wolves can’t be dogs. There is a case to be made that dogs are, in some ways, like their wolf ancestors in the same way we humans retain some basic traits from our ape ancestors. Wolves are pack animals in order to hunt game in packs; it’s an efficient survival mechanism. The research of Canadian wolf ethologist David Mech has proven conclusively that wolf “packs” are essentially extended family units with the “alpha” or breeding pair being the mother and father of the pack. And that’s just a start. I would suggest the book “What is a Dog?” by Dr. Raymond and Lorna Coppinger for a comprehensive discussion of the behavioural ecology and evolution of the dog from the earliest proto-dogs to our current breeds.
Now, all of that said, you are certainly entitled to your opinions. I would never suggest that you give up those opinions without sufficient evidence to make you comfortable doing so. My articles reflect my own experience and what I have been able to learn from others far more studied in dogs and animal behaviour than myself.
Finally, before you pass judgement on me or the dogs I raise, I would invite you to meet us and see for yourself. My dogs are quite happy and healthy thank you and I would be delighted for you to meet them. I have always said that “All dog training works – eventually.” I would refer you back to Coppinger’s book “What is a Dog?” for a good explanation of why that’s true. In essence, it’s in their best interest to learn how to comply with humans’ wishes because we feed them and provide other comforts if they do. If they don’t like the treatment they receive, well, there really isn’t any where else to go. WE are their ecological niche.
I’m sorry you had a fight with your mother-in-law. Confrontation is never pleasant.
I wish you, your family, and your dogs the best.
Eric Brad
Hey Eric
Thank you for your response. What i was really trying to say about wolf and dog is the instinct part is still in there. At least the pack part like where I used to live the dogs in the neighborhood would run free and dogs from different houses would pack up and roam around together. And I see our 6 dogs showing pack behavior everyday.
But If you still haven’t mastered getting him to come first time you call should really try pinning him on his back (max 1-2lbs of your weight don’t crush him lol) and just love him up as you do it make it fun for him do this at least once a day for a month do it however you feel is right. See if it helps Maybe it does nothing for him or maybe it was all he needed. if he doesn’t struggle at all when you try to do it the first time. He probably don’t need it done be if he struggles even a little then keep it up till he is okay with it.
This would still fit under positive training? I feel it does and hope you do too.
O ya could try the calming balm too might just be a little too distracted
If it works for you maybe you can show your client’s the positive way to show your alpha
just if you ever write about it just give me a little credit for telling you about how I do it
Our male lab I’m still working with he know most of the command words but don’t like do it first time unless he see’s food. Then he is on it. After getting him on his back today he tried to struggle a little but with a little love and telling him it was okay he let me hold him down and give him kisses on his cheek for 30-40 sec let him up then said “Cody can you sit” and he sat in less than 1 sec. Cody gets scared easy and can be reactive so for him he needs the lightest form of alpha he only hears my full alpha voice to stop him from trying to break through the fence to eat the little dogs that tease him. And it is just a simple “Leave It”
Said deep and mean but it is the only way to snap him out of it and he stops 1st time and get happy praise’s as he goes right back to playing like it wasn’t me happy as can be
And about meeting some time I live in Washington State so if you live in BC might be possible some time would love to let you meet one or two of our dogs so you can see how happy and full of life they are and that showing you are alpha doesn’t have to suck any life and energy out of them
Really I feel I’m just speaking more there language because they use different tones (barks) to give emotions or messages to the other dogs so I let them know that is not what I want or let them know it’s right with high tone happy voice.
I really do hope you and your dog the best and I am glad you treat him with lots of love.
We may not see 100% eye to eye on training methods but yours are better than some alpha or balance claiming trainers who will hurt or scare it half to death if they don’t listen.
That is wrong!
I mean one of my favorite breeds the pit bull is bred to ignore pain so it could take down a bull. that the breed I started training with so hurting the dog was never a option a swat to the but didn’t hurt anything but there feelings next breed was a wolf and my dad made the mistake of swat n his butt one time. It was more than he needed and he would not go near my dad for a week we figured out later he had a hip problem so it had really hurt him and raising your voice at him was as effective as a swat on the butt but to be honest he really train himself for the most part and had only one bad habit (ripped up tumbleweeds in the grass part of the yard lol) and we didn’t want to take it from him because he had fun doing it and he could have done much worse like chew on horse tackle he had access to 24/7.
Point of the stories was every dog or wolf is very different in what they need a lot of dogs can be trained with just sugar some just need to see you do have a stick too. you said it yourself that every dog is different.
Also really do hope you are willing to try the pinning your dog on his back. Would love to know if it helps you and if you let him lay on your chest when you’re laying flat on your back stop letting him lol
Best regards,
Ryan
Wow Ryan, go pick up a book made in this century. I hope you’re not training other people’s dogs like that. Eric isn’t going to “try pinning down” his dog(s) and he CERTAINLY isn’t going to be giving credit to such a Neanderthal idea. Thanks anyway.
Thanks for reminding me what I had for breakfast this morning.