10/04/2025
R E A C T I V I T Y with Dolly 🌸
Reactivity isn’t a “bad behaviour” - it’s a communication.
When a dog barks, lunges or growls, they’re often saying:
“I’m overwhelmed, I don’t feel safe.”
Whether it’s other dogs, people, bikes or loud noises, reactivity usually comes from a place of fear or insecurity.
So as their guardians, how can we help?
🫶🏼 By being their advocate and showing them the world can be a safe place.
I am currently working with Dolly and her fantastic family to overcome some challenging behaviours she is experiencing, one of which is reactivity.
A few things we will work on over the next few weeks:
• Distance is your friend - give your dog space from triggers.
• Don’t punish communication from your dog. We should, instead, reward calm behaviour and look for early signs of stress.
• Work at their pace - building confidence takes time and is best built gradually, in low-stress environments.
• Use positive reinforcement, the act of rewarding with food reinforces the behaviour and encourages them to repeat the behaviour. This then helps them form new, safe associations.
Reactivity isn’t easy but I’m here to help! 🤝🏼
Contact me on 0493426278 for more details on my outdoor sessions 🌿🐾