Calm Canine: Dog Reactivity

Part #1

Understanding Reactivity in Dogs: Why It’s Not “Bad,” Just Misunderstood

Reactivity in dogs is something most of us have come across at some point. Maybe your dog barks like mad when the postman comes, lunges at other dogs on walks, or jumps up at visitors in a flurry of excitement (or nerves). These behaviours can feel embarrassing, frustrating, or even worrying—and it's easy to fall into the trap of thinking, “My dog is being bad.”

But here’s the thing: reactivity isn’t bad—it’s normal. All dogs react. In fact, if your dog didn’t react to the world around them, something would be seriously wrong. They’d be completely shut down… or, quite literally, not alive. Reactivity is how our dogs communicate with their environment. It’s how they say, “I see that!” or “I don’t feel safe!” or even “I’m way too excited and don’t know how to handle this!”

The real issue is not that your dog is reacting—it’s how intensely they’re reacting and whether that reaction feels proportionate to what’s going on.

Let’s break it down a bit:

• A dog who barks once when the postman arrives is simply saying, “Hey, someone’s here!”

• A dog who barks non-stop, runs around the house, and can’t settle again for 10 minutes is reacting with more intensity than the situation really calls for.

• Similarly, a dog who sees another dog and gently turns their head away is reacting calmly.

• A dog who lunges, growls, or tries to escape may be overwhelmed by the presence of the other dog—whether due to fear, frustration, or overexcitement.

  
  

These bigger, louder, more explosive reactions are when your dog’s emotional response to something is more than they can cope with in the moment. And usually, that comes from a place of stress, uncertainty, fear, or just not knowing what else to do.

So instead of seeing reactivity as your dog being “bad,” try to see it as your dog doing their best with the skills and experience they currently have. They’re trying to tell you something—they just need help learning a calmer, more appropriate way to say it.

Here’s the good news: with kindness, patience, and the right training, dogs can learn new ways to handle those big feelings. Whether it’s giving them space, teaching them focus games, or helping them feel safer in tricky situations, small steps can make a big difference.

So the next time your dog has a big reaction, take a breath. You’re not failing. Your dog’s not broken. You’re both learning—and that’s something to be proud of.

What’s Next? Helping Your Reactive Dog

If any of this sounds familiar, you’re not alone—and the good news is, there are things you can do to help your dog feel calmer and more confident.

In the coming posts, we’ll be sharing simple, effective tips to support your reactive dog, including:

🐾 How to spot your dog’s early warning signs (before the barking or lunging happens)

🐾 Ways to help your dog feel safer and more in control on walks

🐾 Games and training exercises that build calmness and focus

🐾 Why punishment doesn’t work—and what to do instead

🐾 How to create a “safe space” at home for your dog to relax

🐾 Understanding triggers and thresholds so you can prevent outbursts before they start

Reactivity isn’t a life sentence—it’s a behaviour we can understand, manage, and improve together. Stick with us, and let’s help your dog become the calm, happy companion you both want them to be. 💛