How To Do More For Your Reactive Dog.

Reactivity in dogs, and between dogs is an increasing problem. It is far more common to see owners with yellow leads steering their dog into verges to avoid others or to see people with 'needs space' lead sleeves and dog coats now, than it was 5 years ago. Of course this could just be that more people are discovering the existence of such products or it could be that the problem has actually increased in severity.

No matter the breed, age, sex or size reactivity can be a problem. Notably, smaller dogs seem to get off scot free with people finding their behavioural presentations funny rather than concerning.

If you have a dog who is particularly sensitive and you find them reacting to other dogs, people or anything else that changes something in them resulting in them acting "aggressive" then there are a few steps you can be doing to make sure they are getting what they need to keep the reactivity from presenting itself as often.

It is important to know that reactivity is the dog expressing that it cannot cope within its environment or given situation.

First and foremost a vet check is in order. Especially if the reactivity or so called aggression is suddenly onset. Full blood profile and xrays may be required but go with your vet's advice on this. If your pet is given the all clear from the vet then the next step to consider is exercise. 

A well exercised dog will make better decisions. Exercise helps humans have a more stable mind set and it does the same for dogs. Imagine if you had all this pent up energy and then you were faced with difficult tasks; if you had a calm mind you may process it and be able to come to a sensible conclusion. If your mind was whirring and you had lots of uncertainty then you might not pick the best solution. There are now lots of secure fields that you can hire to allow your dog a proper run around if they cannot usually get off lead. Speak to a reputable breeder of your dog's breed or a local trainer to see if you are giving your dog enough exercise, or too much. Being overtired can lead to irritability and pain.

It's not just physical exercise that counts. Utilising your dog's brain will help tire them out mentally which can make a significant impact on reactivity. Using sniff games (snuffle mats) and food toys like a kong and lickmat can be very helpful. These toys will reward your dog's choice to lie down quietly. Also, the motion of licking releases 'feel good' endorphins thus relaxing your dog even further. Scent work is another way to utilise your dog's brain to tire them out. Sniff walks, (a.k.a 'sniffaris') are a good way to exercise your dog both mentally and physically. Look for a local scent work group to get more information and ideas on how you and your dog can benefit from this.

Creating a routine for your dog can help them to better relax in their environment which is key in reducing reactivity of any kind. Try to keep everything consistent from feeding times to walk time. Keep in mind what time you are walking your dog and try to stay away from triggers. This may mean changing walk time to avoid kids if your dog is reactive to children, or staying away from fields if your dog is reactive to livestock etc. Do this until you have worked on the behaviour with a professional.

Getting professional help to assist your dog to cope better is of course a very important step in tackling reactivity. Behaviourists will be able to provide you with a training plan and help with any questions you may have. It is helpful to keep a diary to identify any triggers. It will also let you see the improvement as time goes on.

The diet that your dog is on can play a massive part in their behaviour. If you feed a diet with lots of additives and colourings, it is like providing children with E- number with sweets and expecting them to be able to behave appropriately and calmly. Your dog may not be provided with adequate nutrients; if they have rather large amounts of dog waste then this is a sign that the food they are on is not great for them. Other signs that it may be time to change their diet is frequent liquid stools or it being very strong smelling. Read reviews and look for food that has a high protein from meat content and not meat derivatives.

Another way to support your dog is to take it to a canine physiotherapist. Doing physio exercises with your dog builds the bond between you as well as benefitting them physically. Being able to build muscle and protect bone density will benefit your dog in the long run as it will delay any arthritis or bone related issues that may cause pain and further worsen the reactivity.

Something else to consider is supplementation such as a valerian compound said to relax and ease anxiety. If your dog is on medication already then a herbal vet should be consulted to see what is appropriate. I would recommend Dr Mercola Zen Pet powder.

Hopefully with these steps the reactivity you have been experiencing will have decreased or been mostly resolved. Plans outlined by veterinarians and behaviourists may take a while to show results but it is important to stick with them to gain the full benefits.