17/05/2025
💫 Your Reactivity/Anxiety specialists 💫
Reactivity can be frustrating, overwhelming and have you feeling unsafe and lost. If your dog barks, lunges, or pulls when they see another dog/animal/person or any other trigger, we understand it can make walks feel impossible that result in your furry friends being confined at home and missing out on social outings. But here’s the good news: your dog can improve with the right training and a solid game plan/foundation with CPK9. We can assist.
The keys to success
✔️ Instill a solid foundation -
Under low distractions/stimulus educate a true foundation, this is the platform we will utilise to communicate clearly with our K9 both in life and training. This includes loose leash heel/sit/down/stay/come and break commands. Heavy use of reward marker to build engagement and a work ethic within their training/life, creating a willingness to work with you.
✔️ Genetical destress -
We must always acknowledge our k9's genetics and drives. Understanding and implementing exercises/games to both destress and control said drives, primarily pray drive. This will form a reliable on offer switch/responsive endorphin-serotonin recovery/build engagement, bond and so much more it will even build the ability to utilise games as a reward mechanism. Never underestimate the power of play.
✔ Clear and correct body language - Instead of avoiding other dogs, set up controlled scenarios where your dog can learn what’s expected of them whilst staying in their thresholds. Correct body language and leash control will both feed confidence/provide clarity and build leadership based on trust and respect.
✔ Consistency & patience – Reactivity doesn’t change overnight, but small wins add up over time. Rewarding calm behavior and good choices heavily with positive reinforcement and redirecting negative choices/mistakes back to the positive marker point. Building clarity and progressing your communication skills/engagement and empowering your furry friends with the desire/ability to make good/rewarding choices.
✔ Proofing/environmental conditioning -
Once a reliable foundation is reached its a must to expose them to the real world where the unexpected can happen. This both proofs the work already done and shows area's that may require further polishing, also giving your K9 more exposure to a range of stimulus to teach the end goal. Now mistakes will happen and that's ok but the work done prior will greatly minimise the intensity of their reactivity and allow you to guide them through quickly for yet another win/positive learning experience. In time these wins will add up and the behaviour will pass. Remember mistakes are not a bad thing, just another opportunity to offer guidance.
Reactivity is common, but it doesn’t have to define your walks or restrictyour life with your furry friends. Stick to your training, trust the process, and celebrate progress—no matter how small.
Are you working on leash reactivity with your dog? If so reach out and see how we can assist, it will be life changing for your best mates and bring harmony within the family dynamic.
