Raising a Well Mannered Mutt

By Sallie Palmer
Certified Dog Trainer

Reactive dogs

What is a reactive dog? These are dogs that become highly aroused when in the presents of a stimulus that triggers behavior such as growling, barking, lunging, snapping, or hiding under furniture, etc. The stimulus can be guest arriving to your home, the mail carrier, another dog, skateboarders, bicycles, Vacuum cleaners, I knew of one small dog that would go nuts when anyone used the icemaker.

The cause as to why a dog becomes reactive varies. It can be a fearful dog that feels the need to defend himself or territory. A dog that hasn’t been well socialized, It’s the dogs that generally states “I’m going to get you before you have a chance to get me.” It can be a hyperactive dog with so much energy that he reacts to any and all movement, sound, or smell. These are dogs that are scouting for triggers. A common example is the terrier that stands on the couch looking out the living room window for anything to move so he can bark and attack the glass in a flurry. Some dogs are reactive because of genetics, some because of past trauma and experience and some develop into reactive dogs due to boredom, frustration and lack of exercise. Whatever the cause, the longer the behavior goes on the harder it is to stop.

Reactive dogs are not happy dogs. They are filled with stress and live in a continuous state of anxiety. These dogs sometimes never get to fully relax. They can be hyper vigilant all the time. It is similar to adrenaline rushes that reoccur constantly. The body never gets a chance to recover. This is not a healthy lifestyle for any dog. If you think about the illnesses that people get from stress in their lives, it’s not all that different for dogs. Dogs can have illnesses brought on by too much stress as well.

So what can you do about for the reactive dog? The treatment isn’t easy and it takes a dedicated person to see it through.

1. Set up your home so the dog has a safe, calm environment to retreat to. Usually a quiet dark bedroom will work. Place a crate in the room and have a chew toy or stuffed Kong available for your dog only in that room. Place your dog there before guests arrive.

2. Play dog calming music such as harp music, Beethoven, or a CD containing dog laughter. This helps to block out noise that can cause the dog to be triggered. You can find these CD’s at www.dogwise.com.

3. A product called D.A.P. ComfortZone emits a smell that helps to calm dogs. You can get as a plug-in, spray or scented collar.

4. Try Rescue Remedy or Devil-Be-Gone, a flower essence that helps to take the edge off anxious dogs.

5. Avoid any stimulus that may trigger the dog. Close curtains or block the lower portion of windows/screen doors where the dog scouts from. Don’t walk the dog where you will encounter a lot of other dogs or people.

6. Avoid high active games such as Frisbee, fetch, agility. This may over excite the dog. Do consider having your dog run on a treadmill or take quiet long stride walks in low populated areas.

7. Contact a behaviorist or dog trainer who can help you develop a reactive dog program tailored for your dog.

To help your dog with his stress level also consider that it takes approximately one week of quiet calm just to recover from the high stress level. Be sure to stay calm as well because dogs react to our energy level. Be patient, this will take some time.

 

Sallie is a Certified Dog Trainer with over 20 years of experience. She makes house calls and will help setup a programs for you and your dog to curb unwanted and unhealthy behavior. For more information go to www.wellmanneredmutts.net

 

Back to Rainbow Wags Pet News