How to Handle Reactive Dogs: 5 Tips for Professional Dog Walkers
Have you ever walked a dog that flips out whenever you see another dog? Reactive dogs may bark, lunge and/or growl at whatever triggers their reactivity. Triggers can be other dogs, people, skateboards, loud trucks, or anything that causes the dog anxiety.
Reactive Doesn't Mean Aggressive
Dogs that show reactive behavior aren't necessarily aggressive. Take my dog for example. Splash is my beagle, and she is reactive to a lot of things. Dogs, delivery trucks and bikes are all triggers for her. If a dog runs up to us despite her reactive behaviors, she stops barking and lunging, and will sniff the other dog. She's not thrilled about the dog disregarding her clear request for space, but she's not aggressive at all.
So if she's not aggressive, why is she barking, growling and lunging on her leash at the other dog? Well, the answer is simple. Other dogs make her uncomfortable and she is communicating that point.
Some reactive dogs may also be aggressive, but this post is specifically about managing non-aggressive dogs that are reactive. Unless you're very experienced with aggressive dogs, you should refer them over to a walker or trainer who is better equipped to work with aggression cases.
How to Handle Reactive Behavior
So you have a dog that you walk that's reactive, and it's challenging managing all that lunging and barking. I feel you, this behavior can turn an enjoyable walk into a nightmare. I'm going to give you some tips to help you manage that and make your walks easier.
Tip #1 Avoidance
The first tip is pretty obvious, try to avoid the dog's triggers. For the sake of this article, let's say the dog you walk is reactive to other dogs. So the first step you can take is to do your best to avoid other dogs. Choose quiet areas to walk where there won't be many dogs. Cross the street or turn around when you see another dog coming— reactive dogs need space, so give them as much space from their trigger as you can.
Tip #2 Use Visual Barriers
Sometimes avoiding triggers can be challenging, so another strategy you can use is to use visual barriers so the dog you're walking can't see the trigger. Parked cars, trees and bushes can work well to block the dog's view.
Tip #3 Reward for Attention
Always have a reward for the dog handy. This could be food, a ball or other high value toy. Any time the dog gives you attention when one of their triggers is around, reward them for that attention.
Tip #4 Choose Equipment to Make Management Easier
A no-pull harness (I like the Freedom harness with a leash attached both on the front ring as well as the back ring), Gentle Leader, or Halti will help you manage a dog that's pulling/lunging on leash a lot better. Please note that Gentle Leaders and Haltis should only be used on dogs who are accustomed to wearing them. Using them on a dog without a proper introduction can cause the dog to paw at their nose causing scratching and/or a depressed/morose attitude which is not what you want.
I do not advise using e-collars, pinch collars, choke chains or other similar tools on client dogs at any time, but especially with reactive dogs. Reactive dogs are having an emotional reaction to a trigger, and you NEVER want to correct a dog for feeling an emotion. It's really unfair to the dog and can add to the anxiety they are already experiencing. It can make reactive behavior worse.
Tip #5 Learn to Anticipate Reactive Behavior
Watch for early signs that the dog you're walking is feeling anxious. This might be constantly looking at a trigger that's approaching, starting to take treats with a harder mouth than usual or having hackles up (hair standing on end, most often between the shoulder blades and/or down the back to the rump). This will tip you off that the dog needs more space before he goes into full blown barking and lunging.
Bonus Tip: Screen for Reactive Behavior
Make sure you are screening dogs for reactive behavior during your new client intake process. You should be aware of any reactive behavior before taking a dog out. That way you can decide if it's a dog you want to accept and implement these management techniques from the start if you do go ahead with the reactive dog.
