3 Ways To Help Calm Down Your Reactive Dog
Dogs of all ages, species, and sizes have their unique way of experiencing the world. However, combating a dog’s reactive behavior towards incredibly minute things can feel frustrating. So, here are a few helpful ways to calm down a reactive dog.
Understanding Body Language
Like humans, dogs have their set body language to help them communicate with you. By understanding your dog’s body language, you can quickly pick up on any feelings of fear, discomfort, and intimidation. For example, watching a dog’s tail is an easy way to understand its feelings—wagging can mean happiness and excitement, while a tucked-under tail can mean fear.
Dogs who act alert can have a forward, tense body posture, often translating to them being interested in something or not feeling sure of how to react. Adversely, happy dogs act looser and wiggle with open mouths, soft eyes, and relaxed or forward ears.
Sign Up for Behavioral Classes
Sometimes, outside help can get you on the right track with an overreactive dog. Signing your dog up for a behavioral class can help give you the tools and instructions needed to combat their reactions. You can find many behavioral rehab courses with lessons covering how you and your dog can handle reactivity in your area and online.
These classes will teach them to behave more calmly and progress toward being more comfortable with their triggers. By incorporating training experience, certifications, and real case study data from former clients, you can find a reputable dog training professional that helps you and your dog in everyday situations.
Counterconditioning
You may not know it, but dogs can have triggers that cause them to overreact to their environment. So, one way to help calm your reactive dog down is to learn counterconditioning techniques. Start by listing your dog’s triggers from the most intense to the least. Work your way down the list by associating their triggers with something more positive.
For instance, many dogs react to the sound of jingling dog tags. You can start by providing your pup with a high-value treat while simultaneously jingling the dog tag to the point where they can’t hear it well. Pairing your dog’s favorite things with a trigger can help decrease negative reactions and help them associate it with a positive undertone.
Benchmark Dog Training offers top-class dog behavioral training and basic command classes for you and your pup. Our dog behaviorist training lessons can help you break down the meaning behind your dog’s negative behavior and reinforce good behavior with positive reinforcement. For more information, contact us today.