02/04/2025
โHow reflexes play a role in reactivityโ
Reactivity in dogs is a common behaviour concern that many pet guardians face. Whether itโs barking and lunging at other dogs, startling at sudden noises, or freezing in fear, these reactions can feel overwhelming to deal with. But did you know that many of these responses are similar to reflexes?
A reflex is an automatic, unconscious reaction to a stimulus. For example, when you accidentally touch something hot, you immediately pull your hand away without even thinking about it. This happens because of a quick communication loop in your nervous system called a reflex arc.
In reactive dogs, something very similar occurs. Their responses are not "bad behaviour" or conscious choicesโtheyโre automatic reactions driven by their nervous system, often as a result of fear, stress, or past experiences.
So let's break it down in a Dogโs Brain During Reactivity...
๐๐ซ๐ข๐ ๐ ๐๐ซ (๐๐ญ๐ข๐ฆ๐ฎ๐ฅ๐ฎ๐ฌ)
Imagine a dog who reacts to other dogs on walks. The trigger is the sight or sound of another dog approaching. This stimulates the dogโs sensory system (like their vision or hearing), similar to how touching a sharp object activates pain receptors in a reflex.
๐๐๐ง๐ฌ๐จ๐ซ๐ฒ ๐๐ซ๐จ๐๐๐ฌ๐ฌ๐ข๐ง๐
The sensory information travels to the dogโs brain, where it reaches the emotional processing centre called the amygdala. The amygdala acts like an alarm system, deciding if the situation is safe or dangerous. For reactive dogs, this alarm system is often overactive due to previous negative experiences or a heightened sensitivity to certain stimuli.
Unlike humans, dogs canโt pause and consider their options when this alarm is triggered. Their brain prioritises immediate survival, bypassing the rational decision-making areas.
๐๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง (๐๐จ๐ญ๐จ๐ซ ๐๐๐ฌ๐ฉ๐จ๐ง๐ฌ๐)
The brain sends signals to the dogโs muscles, resulting in an immediate reaction like barking, lunging, freezing, or even running away. Just like pulling your hand away from something hot, the dogโs response happens automatically.
Understanding how reflexes contribute to reactivity can help you approach some common behaviour challenges with more empathy and clarity.
๐. ๐๐๐ซ๐ค๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ง๐ ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐ญ ๐๐ญ๐ก๐๐ซ ๐๐จ๐ ๐ฌ
A reactive dog may view another dog as a potential threat, even if no danger exists. For example, a dog who had a negative encounter in the past might perceive every dog they see as a risk. The trigger (seeing the other dog) sets off the amygdala, which bypasses the thinking brain and leads to immediate barking or lunging.
This reaction is often rooted in fear, frustration, or overexcitement. The dog isnโt โchoosingโ to misbehave; theyโre trying to protect themselves or create distance from what they perceive as a threat.
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๐๐๐ซ ๐จ๐ ๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ ๐๐จ๐ข๐ฌ๐๐ฌ
Dogs startled by fireworks, thunder, or sudden bangs are experiencing a reflexive startle response. The loud noise acts as a trigger, and their nervous system instantly reacts with behaviours like shaking, hiding, or running away.
This response is instinctive, and designed to help the dog avoid danger. Unfortunately, in the modern world, these triggers are often inescapable, leaving the dog stuck in a cycle of fear.
๐. ๐๐ฏ๐๐ซ๐ซ๐๐๐๐ญ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ญ๐จ ๐๐จ๐ฎ๐๐ก
Some dogs are sensitive to certain types of touchโlike being patted on the head or having their paws handled. If a dog associates these actions with discomfort or pain, their reflexive response might be to pull away, growl, or snap.
Understanding this matters because recognising that reactive behaviours are often automatic - meaning the dog has no control over their response, so it's up to us to change how we approach them. These behaviours arenโt signs of defiance or disobedience but rather a lack of coping skills and their way of dealing with overwhelming stimuli.
As guardians, itโs important to help our dogs feel safe and reduce their need to rely on these reflexive responses.
Iโve tackled the involuntary responses, which is a great start, but youโre probably wondering, โThatโs all well and good, but how do I actually help my dog now?
Gradually exposing your dog to their triggers in a controlled, positive way helps to change their emotional response over time. For example, pairing the sight of another dog with treats from a very far distance to start with can teach your dog that other dogs predict good things, not uncertainty or danger.
Avoiding overwhelming situations for a long time while youโre working on gradual exposure gives your dog space to feel calm. For instance, choosing quiet walking routes or using cars for barriers, bushes, or fences can prevent unwanted encounters.
Teaching new alternative behavioural skills, such as looking at you instead of barking, helps shift your dogโs focus away from the trigger temporarily if you are not actively working on systematic desensitisation (gradual exposure).
Reactivity can feel challenging, but itโs important to remember that your dog isnโt being stubborn or โnaughty.โ Theyโre responding instinctively, much like you would if you touched something hot or saw something that you were scared of (like a tarantula or cockroach). But, if you understand the reflexive nature of your dogโs behaviours, you can approach reactivity with patience, empathy, and the right training strategies to help your dog feel safer in their world.๐ฅฐ๐พ
