17/10/2025
When you hear the term reactive dog, what comes to mind? Aggression? Fear? Unpredictability?
Well, in Xena’s case, it’s the exact opposite!!
Xena is the most super sweet, kind natured girl but at just 10 months old, and already tipping the scales at approx 50kg, her enthusiasm on walks can be a bit overwhelming. She wants to greet everyone she sees, often by lunging and pulling on the lead in her excitement. Understandably, that’s a lot to manage when your walking buddy is a young Bull Mastiff with plenty of growing left to do.
So what have we been working on?
⭐️ Counter-conditioning — helping her build calmer emotional responses to exciting stimuli.
⭐️ Engagement — strengthening her connection with her owner so she tunes in, not tunes out.
⭐️ Impulse control — teaching her that good things come to those who wait.
If you happen to spot this beautiful, bubbly ray of sunshine out on a walk, do her a favour and ignore her, she’s working really hard on being a good girl and not dragging her human over to say hello.
