09/11/2025
🐾 We met with a new client today! Can you guess what the problem behavior is that needs to be addressed?
Let’s go over the differences between reactivity and aggression.
Reactivity:
* Definition: An overexaggerated response to a stimulus, typically characterized by fear, anxiety, or excitement.
* Triggers: Can include specific people, animals, noises, or situations.
* Behaviors: Barking, lunging, growling, hiding, trembling, pacing.
* Intent: Reactive dogs do not intend to cause harm, but their responses can be perceived as threatening or aggressive.
Aggression:
* Definition: A deliberate and intentional act to inflict harm or intimidate another being.
* Triggers: Can be fear, frustration, territoriality, or dominance.
* Behaviors: Snapping, biting, snarling, showing teeth, staring, growling, hissing.
* Intent: Aggressive dogs have a clear intention to cause damage or control the situation.
As we work with this client, we will show you guys more of the behaviors that we are seeing when we first arrive to the house, as well as after being there for a while. When determining reactive or aggressive behaviors, we like to try different training tools, as well as techniques to figure out what each dog individually will respond to best. We will also be muzzle training to help reduce the risk of injury during training and during any situations where this dog may be frightened when out in a public setting.
