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Kate's Dog School Blog

Kate Stallworthy | 2025

A fearful response

As a dog owner, you may have heard the term ‘reactive dog’ before. A reactive dog is one that responds aggressively or fearfully to certain stimuli, such as other dogs, people or certain noises. This can make it difficult when taking your dog on a walk or having visitors in your home.


With some understanding and training, you can help your reactive dog become more relaxed, confident and comfortable in different situations. Here are some things to consider when you have a reactive dog:


Identify the trigger: The first step in managing a reactive dog is to identify what triggers their reactive behaviour. Some common triggers include other dogs, strangers, loud noises or even certain smells and textures. Once you have identified your dog's triggers, you can begin to work on desensitising them to those stimuli with a professional.

Positive reinforcement: Positive reinforcement is a powerful tool in training a reactive dog. This technique works by marking and rewarding a desired behaviour through an expert training plan. This will help your dog associate positive experiences with the previously fearful or aggressive stimulus.

Be patient and consistent: Training a reactive dog can take time and patience. It's important to be consistent with your learned training and not expect immediate results. Celebrate small successes along the way and continue to work with your dog until they feel confident and comfortable.


Management: While you work on training, it's important to initially manage their environment to prevent them from being unnecessarily stressed. Avoiding certain situations and using a lead when out in public is important. Kate's Dog School can help you with redirection and disengagement techniques.

Build that confidence

Having a reactive dog can be challenging, but with patience, understanding and professional help, you can help your dog feel more comfortable and confident in a variety of situations. 


Kate’s Dog School uses positive reinforcement to help change the emotional response of your dog. I can provide you with the fundamental training techniques when working with a reactive dog. By being consistent in your training and always prioritising your dog's safety, we can work together to help your dog become more self-assured.

Book your free consultation today to talk about your reactive training needs

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