As a dog parent in Singapore, you’re probably no stranger to the joys of having a furry companion by your side. But let’s face it, sometimes those joys can turn into embarrassment, frustration and anxiety when your dog exhibits reactivity.

Whether it’s barking at strangers, growling and lunging at other dogs, or even snapping at you, reactivity can be a real challenge to manage. But in order to start working on this behavior, its important to first understand what type of reactivity you’re dealing with.

What is Reactivity?

Reactivity in dogs refers to what we perceive as an overreaction to certain stimuli or situations. This can include barking, lunging, growling, or other intense behaviors that might occur when your dog encounters something they perceive as a threat or frustration.

It’s like when you’re driving on the North-South Highway and someone cuts you off – you might get a little annoyed, right? Well, dogs can experience similar emotions, and when they do, they might react in ways that are not exactly what you’d call “cute.”

What It Looks Like

Reactivity can manifest in various ways, such as:

• Barking or growling at other dogs or people
• Lunging on the leash
• Whining or pacing
• Trying to hide or escape

What’s Happening Inside the Dog? The Science

When a dog reacts, their body goes into a heightened state of arousal. This involves the release of stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol, which prepare the dog to either fight, flee, or freeze. This response is part of their instinctual survival mechanism but can be problematic in everyday situations, like a stroll around Marina Bay Sands.

Now, in order to override this default pattern, we need to first better understand the underlying emotions driving those big behaviors.

The Two Types of Reactivity

There are two main types of reactivity in dogs: fear-based and frustration-based.

Fear-Based Reactivity

Fear-based reactivity occurs when a dog is scared or anxious about a particular person/place/dog or thing.

This type of reactivity is often seen in dogs that were not properly socialized during their critical developmental period or have had traumatic experiences in the past.

When a fearful dog encounters their trigger, they may exhibit behaviors like barking, growling, and even baring their teeth all with the objective of scaring the thing away.

The underlying purpose of fear-based reactivity is to GAIN DISTANCE from the stimulus. And often the best defense is a good offence for dogs, which is why they bark, growl, and lunge at the stimulus to make it go away.

Frustration-Based Reactivity

Frustration-based reactivity happens when a dog is unable to reach something they want, like another dog or a person. This type of reactivity is driven by the dog’s desire to interact or explore but is hindered by constraints such as a leash or barrier. Frustration-based reactivity can also occur when a dog is overly excited and lacks the emotional self-control to remain calm.

Why is it Important to Know Which Type?

Understanding whether your dog’s reactivity is fear-based or frustration-based is crucial for addressing it effectively. Each type requires different management and training approaches to help your dog cope and change their behavior. Think of it as figuring out if your dog is more of a “I’m scared of the uncle with the umbrella” or “I just REALLY want to go sniff him” type.

Fear-based reactivity often requires a more gradual and gentle approach, focusing on building confidence and positive associations with the trigger. Frustration-based reactivity, on the other hand, may benefit more from self regulation training and management techniques to prevent the dog from practicing the undesirable behavior.

How to Deal with Each Type

Health Check

As always, the first step towards resolving any behavior problem, reactivity included, is to get a full health check up to rule out any pain or illness as the underlying cause. I often find with fear-based reactivity clients, that more often than not, there is an underlying health issue: things like joint pain or lingering stomach bugs. Makes sense right? If I’m walking down the street with discomfort or pain, I’m not going to have a lot of tolerance for being approached by strangers either.

Management

Regardless of the type of reactivity, management is a critical component of any behavior modification plan. This involves managing your dog’s environment to prevent them from practicing the reactive behavior and setting them up for success. For example, if your dog is reactive to other dogs, it’s a good idea to walk them during less busy times or avoid areas with a high concentration of dogs. Let’s just say walks around Orchard Road might be off the table for a while.

Any management plan that’s going to be effective will always include a component of meeting your dog’s needs. You can refer to a comprehensive guide on what this includes here.

Training

Training is the second key element in addressing reactivity. When working with behaviors such as these, I always recommend to work with a certified professional so that you can see the results you want, as it can be a bit of a nightmare trying to DIY a behavior change plan with all the random info available online.

Trust me. I did that before I got certified, and I regret every second I wasted trying different things I learned online because they only set Louie and I back further.

A good trainer will guide you on the latest, scientifically proven methods to help your dog change how they feel and ultimately behave in those situations. They’ll use positive reinforcement methods to desensitize your dog to their triggers and teach them alternate behaviors

Additionally, for frustration-based reactivity, your training plan might also include teaching patience and relaxation through simple games.

In Summary

Reactivity is a common behavior that crops up in dogs, but it’s not impossible to address. By understanding the two main types – fear-based and frustration-based – and using a combination of management and positive reinforcement training, you can help your dog become a more well-adjusted and confident companion. Remember, every dog is unique, so it’s essential to work with a qualified professional to develop a training plan tailored to your dog’s specific needs.