Complete Guide to Controlling Dog Reactivity to Other Dogs

Owning a reactive dog often leads to stressful walks and challenges when encountering other dogs. This comprehensive guide will help you understand and manage your dog’s reactivity to ensure enjoyable, safe outings for both you and your pet.

Understanding Dog Reactivity

Reactivity in dogs is a behavioural response often triggered by fear, excitement, or frustration when they see other dogs. It’s important to recognise these triggers early to prevent escalation. Some breeds, such as terriers, watch dogs, herding, and working breeds, tend to be more reactive and require focused management and training.

Legal responsibilities also come into play. If your reactive dog injures another dog, you may be liable for vet bills and could face civil or criminal prosecution. Early intervention is crucial for both safety and peace of mind.

Step 1: Keep Your Dog Under Threshold

“Under threshold” means keeping your dog at a distance where it does not react to other dogs. This prevents reinforcing reactive behaviour. Control the environment during walks by avoiding close encounters with strange dogs. By maintaining this distance consistently, you minimise stress and reactivity triggers.

Step 2: Use Counterconditioning and Positive Reinforcement

Pair the presence of other dogs with positive experiences, such as treats or praise, to shift your dog’s emotional response. For instance, when your dog sees a dog at a distance but remains calm, reward them immediately. Teaching behaviours like "look away" or focusing on you can be reinforced with a marker word or clicker and a reward. This method changes negative reactions into positive or neutral feelings over time.

Step 3: Build a Strong Relationship and Clear Communication

Improving your dog's obedience skills—such as sit, down, and recall—builds trust and enhances your dog's focus on you, even in distracting situations. Clear, consistent communication reduces anxiety and improves responsiveness, helping your dog better manage stressful encounters on walks.

Step 4: Gradual Desensitisation

Introduce your dog slowly to other dogs at a distance where they feel safe. Over sessions, gradually reduce this distance while ensuring your dog remains calm. This patient exposure rebuilds confidence and reduces reactivity. Avoid rushing to prevent setbacks.

Step 5: Practice Leash Manners and Increase Control

Training your dog in leash obedience allows you to manage and prevent reactivity effectively. Teaching your dog to respond reliably to cues and commands under various distractions gives you greater control during walks and helps interrupt unwanted behaviour before it escalates.

Step 6: Avoid Punishment and Manage Walks Thoughtfully

Punishing reactive behaviour can worsen fear and frustration. Instead, focus on positive reinforcement and environmental management like choosing quiet walking times and routes, using physical barriers, and removing your dog from stressful situations early. A calm and confident handler helps bring out the best in reactive dogs.

The Crucial Role of Puppy Socialisation

Early and consistent socialisation during the puppy stage is essential to prevent future reactivity. Breeders should follow programmes such as The Puppy Socialisation Plan by the Kennel Club and Dogs Trust. However, new owners must continue this work with professional puppy classes led by experienced trainers and behaviourists to ensure controlled and positive interactions with other dogs.

If considering a breed prone to reactivity like the Pomeranian puppies, Yorkshire Terrier puppies, Weimaraner puppies, or Pug puppies, be prepared to invest time and patience in their socialisation and training.

Finding a Reputable Trainer

Professional support can make a significant difference. Look for trainers who use positive reinforcement and have experience with reactive dogs. They can design personalised plans and guide you in managing your dog’s behaviour, making walks joyful rather than stressful.

Conclusion

Managing a reactive dog’s behaviour takes knowledge, dedication, and kindness. Early socialisation, consistent training, and positive reinforcement are key to reducing stress and helping your dog enjoy walks around other dogs. Understanding legal responsibilities motivates proactive care. With the right approach, your dog can learn to behave calmly and confidently, strengthening the bond you share and enriching both your lives.