Living with a Reactive Dog: Cloud’s Story
My rescue Springer x Collie, Cloud, is sweet and beautiful - but she can be very vocal! When we arrive at our daily walking destination, she often squeals with excitement in the van. This is fine when she’s just excited, and she’s learned to lie down and wait quietly before I release her.
The challenge comes when another dog or person appears nearby. Her squeals turn into a deep, alert, and sometimes aggressive bark. At that point, nothing I say or do will stop her - she’s “over the threshold.” The only option is to wait for her to calm down and give the scary thing some space.
Cloud is excitable, anxious, protective, and territorial. This combination makes her reactive. Despite careful socialisation as a puppy and years of training, she grew into an anxious dog. Genetics and early life experiences also likely contributed.
At first, training her was stressful. With four other dogs at home (three rescues), each with different issues, I felt judged and overwhelmed. Over time, I learned a few key strategies that have helped both Cloud and me.
Managing Stress
I manage my own stress before walks. Dogs pick up on our emotions, so staying calm reduces the likelihood of reactive behaviour. Walking with confident dogs helps, while avoiding nervous dogs prevents additional stress.
Training and Consistency
Cloud trains in agility and everyday obedience. Training without distractions first, then gradually adding them, builds her confidence. Mental stimulation and exercise are crucial, as boredom can worsen anxiety.
Desensitisation and Counter-Conditioning
We introduce scary stimuli gradually, using distance and high-value rewards. Some challenges take years - like agility seesaw training or children running in the park - but patience pays off. Professional help is always a good idea.
Managing Reactions
I avoid known triggers when possible, give her space, and use distance rather than a lead when appropriate. I never shout or punish her for fear reactions, as that reinforces them. Calmly redirecting her and rewarding alternative behaviours works best.
Avoiding Stress Stacking
One stressful event can trigger another. Sometimes the best approach is to remove her to a calm place for a few hours. Stress hormones take time to settle, so patience is key.
Cloud is nearly three now. She’s not ‘fixed,’ but her confidence has grown, and her behaviour has improved dramatically. She’s still reactive at times, but she’s taught me more about training and patience than I ever imagined.
Update 2024:
Cloud is now reliable on the lead, coming into heel when she sees bikes, joggers, or children. Her recall is excellent, even after a quick bark at a sudden trigger. She goes on group walks twice a week and behaves perfectly. Agility competitions aren’t for her, but she enjoys training and happy walks - and that’s what matters most.
Living with a reactive dog takes patience, consistency, and self-awareness. With the right approach, progress is possible, and dogs can learn to enjoy life more confidently.