Walking a Reactive Dog? Here’s What Actually Helps

Having a reactive dog can be stressful. But it’s important to remember that reactive dogs aren’t bad dogs. They just need extra patience and positive reinforcements to thrive. 

Walks with a reactive dog can sometimes feel more like obstacle courses than relaxing strolls, but you’re not alone if that’s the case for you. Adjusting your walking routine and training sessions to fit your dog’s needs can have a positive impact on their reactivity.

What is a Reactive Dog?

Reactivity refers to when a dog has an extreme reaction to something that should be normal. The most common example is excessive barking, growling, and lunging when a dog sees a person or dog. Reactivity could also be triggered by loud noises and fast movements. It’s often motivated by fear, frustration, or excitement.

While reactivity can seem scary, it doesn’t equal aggression. Aggression refers to threatening or harmful behaviours, typically displayed to prevent a situation from escalating or cause harm. Like reactivity, aggression also stems from fear. However, reactive dogs aren’t always aggressive. They may react to common triggers, but that doesn’t always mean they will cause harm.

Why Walks Can Be So Hard (But Also So Important)

Walking a reactive dog can be overwhelming for both the dog and their owner. Little things can trigger loud and intimidating behaviours, making you feel the need to avoid all humans and pets when walking. Even if you know your dog’s reactions won’t turn harmful, it could startle other people who don’t know your dog’s intentions. 

Even though walking a reactive dog can seem embarrassing at times, walks are so important. They’re a way for your dog to get some of their energy out and explore the world. If you work on training with your dog while walking, it can also help you form a stronger bond with them. Walking with a reactive dog can help them overcome negative behaviours so the world can be less stressful for both of you.

Practical Tools That Help

To make walking a reactive dog easier, make sure you have the right tools. The following are great for leash training and making sure walks become a positive experience.

Slip Leads or Martingale Collars

Slip leads and martingale collars can offer better control and safety once your dog is trained with them. Both options tighten around your dog’s neck when they pull so they can’t easily slip out. You can teach your dog that the tightening feeling means to check in with you. That way, if they start to pull, they’ll look back at you rather than lunging forward.

Harnesses

Some dog owners prefer harnesses because they’re safer for dogs who have sensitive necks or dogs who need more chest support. They can reduce pressure on your dog’s neck when they pull forward. If you want a harness that encourages dogs to stop pulling, consider a front-clip harness. That way, your dog will end up facing you instead of moving forward if they try to pull.

Treat Pouch

When walking a reactive dog, it’s good to have a treat pouch on you at all times. Regardless of the walking gear you use, you should reward your dog whenever they do the right thing. If they stop pulling when their slip lead tightens, reward them. If they maintain a steady pace instead of pulling while wearing a harness, reward them. Positive reinforcement can help your dog understand expectations and feel more relaxed overall.

Longer Lead (with care)

In some cases, a longer lead can help. If you’re in an area that’s not crowded, a longer lead can give dogs more space, making them feel less restricted. Holding a dog tightly on a short leash can cause anxiety for some dogs, increasing their reactivity. Of course, you should still work on training and reward good behaviours on a long lead so you can ensure your dog is under control.

Training Habits to Try

Having the proper products can make walks easier, but nothing works better than frequent training sessions. Try the following training tips to set your reactive dog up for success.

Avoid trigger-stacking: Know your dog’s limits.

Training a reactive dog should be a very gradual process. Start by teaching them new cues in a space with no distractions, such as the comfort of your home, before moving to areas where there are triggers. Once you work your way up to walks near humans or dogs, avoid introducing too many triggers too quickly. 

For example, you could start by walking them somewhere where they can see a dog or two in the distance, but not somewhere where there’s a ton of dogs close by. If there are multiple triggers, such as dogs and loud noises, that could be too much for them. Pay attention to your dog’s body language every step of the way and remove them from the situation if they seem overly stressed. It’s better to go slow than to push them into a situation they’re not ready for.

Use “look at me” or name cues to redirect attention.

“Look at me” (or a similar command) is great for all dogs to know. It encourages your dog to check in with you when walking. Practice this cue frequently when walking your dog, even if there are no triggers nearby. That way, they’ll know the cue well enough that you can use it to redirect their attention to avoid reactive behaviours.

Practice U-turns: A great way to dodge a problem calmly.

If you see a trigger up ahead, turning around is often the safest thing to do. Practice changing directions with your dog while walking and rewarding them for doing so. If your dog is used to U-turns, they’ll be less likely to become confused or resistant if you try to turn around to avoid something.

Reward calm behaviour, not just corrections.

When your dog listens to a cue, that’s a great time to reward them. Yet, it’s not the only time they deserve a treat. For reactive dogs, it’s important to also reward them for calmness. When your dog is calmly walking without worrying about their surroundings, occasionally give them a treat or praise. This can help them associate being calm on walks with something good, which can reduce their desire to act out while walking.

Mindset Matters

It can be easy to become discouraged when your dog displays reactivity, but don’t let it get you down. Remember that you’re doing the best you can, and every step of progress is great, no matter how small. 

Reward your dog for small wins and maintain consistency when training them. Not every walk will be perfect, and that’s okay. Walks don’t need to be flawless to be meaningful for you and your dog.

Feeling stressed about dog reactivity doesn’t mean you’re a failure. You’re learning alongside your dog, and the effort you’re putting into your dog’s training is incredible. Keep practicing consistent training to make walks more peaceful for both you and your furry friend.