23/11/2025
Reactivity vs Aggression: Getting the Right Diagnosis Matters
And no—your dog probably isn’t the “possessed beast” your neighbour thinks he is.
In the world of dog behaviour, we humans love a shortcut. We take a complex animal with complex emotions and slap on a neat little label:
“Reactive.”
“Aggressive.”
“Anxious.”
“Dominant.”
“Unpredictable.”
Once a label sticks, it shapes how the dog is seen, handled, trained, and talked about—even when that label is wrong. Call a worried dog “aggressive,” and suddenly every decision made for them is based on fear and control rather than support and understanding.
Let’s straighten things out.
What Reactivity 'Actually' Is
Reactivity is a dog expressing big emotions quickly and loudly. The behaviour might look explosive—barking, lunging, spinning, whining—but the motive is rarely harm.
It usually stems from:
Fear:“Too close—go away!”
Frustration: “Let me get there, I want to interact!”
Over-arousal: “My brain just left the chat.”
Reactivity is communication. Messy, noisy, inconvenient communication—but communication nonetheless.
Reactive dogs benefit from:
Space and controlled exposure
Predictability and structure
Confidence-building experiences
Calm guidance—not frantic micromanaging
Give them tools to cope, and suddenly the dog who “loses it” on walks becomes a dog who can think, listen, and breathe.
What Aggression Really Means
Aggression is not just “big feelings”—it’s action with intent to escalate. The dog chooses behaviour designed to create distance, stop a threat, or get a result.
Common drivers include:
Defensive responses
Pain or discomfort
Protection of resources
Learned success (“this worked last time”)
Threat perception
True aggression is far less common than people assume. Unfortunately, many fearful dogs are treated like a danger when what they really need is reassurance, not punishment.
Dogs with genuine aggressive patterns need:
Safety and controlled environments
Clear boundaries
Skilled behaviour intervention
A plan that reduces the need for aggressive behaviour—not just suppresses it
Why the Difference Matters
Get the label wrong and the training plan falls apart.
Label fear as aggression?
You treat a sensitive dog like a threat.
Label aggression as simple reactivity?
You miss safety risks and escalate the problem.
The dog pays the price either way.
Skilled trainers don’t jump to conclusions—they watch body language, thresholds, recovery time, emotional state, triggers, and context. Sometimes the “scary” dog simply needs structure, safety, and someone who finally understands them.
People Love Dramatic Stories—Dogs Just Want to Feel Safe
We’ve all heard it:
“He’s reactive.”
“She’s aggressive.”
“He’s just a rescue…”
“It’s his breed.”
But behaviour doesn’t happen in a vacuum. It’s shaped by:
* Emotions
* Experiences
* Genetics
* Environment
* Boundaries
* Health
* Handling
Emotions drive behaviour.
Behaviour tells a story.
It’s our job to interpret it correctly.
Our Reactivity Course: Practical, Supportive, Real-World Help
Because so many dogs are misunderstood, we’re running a structured programme designed to help owners finally understand what’s going on and how to change it.
This course includes:
Understanding what reactivity is (and isn’t)
Identifying the root cause behind the behaviour
Building engagement and focus before exposure
Creating safe environments that reduce trigger stacking
Confidence and resilience building
Techniques to support the nervous system
Real-world handling strategies that don’t rely on bribery or avoidance
How to tell the difference between fear-based reactivity and genuine aggression
If you’re ready to support the dog beneath the outbursts—this is where you start.
Final Thoughts
Reactivity is a cry for help.
Aggression is a deliberate escalation.
Both deserve fairness, clarity, and a handler who doesn’t jump to the first label that sticks.
Unsure which describes your dog?
Ask. Don’t guess.
We’re here to guide you and our 2026 courses 'From Reactive to Relaxed' are the perfect first step.
Karmak9.co.uk
