“Reactive” Is A Useless Term
Hi there, and welcome to the Trainer Testimonies blog! Today, we're going to talk about something called "reactivity" in dogs. You may have heard this word before, but let's take a closer look at why it might not give us all the information we need. Dogs are wonderful and sometimes they can react in ways that seem scary or make us worry. But why do they do that? Let's find out why just calling them "reactive" is not enough.
What is Reactivity?
Reactivity is a word we use when a dog has strong reactions to things like other dogs, people, or certain situations. It means the dog behaves in a way that we might not like or find scary. But just saying a dog is reactive doesn't tell us why they are behaving that way or what to do about it.
Digging Deeper
To understand why a dog is reactive, we need to know more. Imagine a dog pulling on a leash, barking loudly, and causing a scene. They might be really excited, scared, or even aggressive. These different emotions can make the dog's behavior look similar, but they need different kinds of help.
Positive Emotions and Reactivity:
Sometimes, a dog's reactivity comes from feeling very excited or happy. But that doesn't mean their behavior is okay or safe. Even if they are just excited, they still need to learn how to control themselves and behave properly.
Treating Dogs as Individuals:
Each dog is unique, just like people. They have their own personality, experiences, and things that make them upset or worried. So, treating all reactive dogs the same way won't work. We need to take the time to understand each dog and what they need. That way, we can give them the right training and help them feel better.
Reactivity is a word we use to describe a dog's strong reactions, but it doesn't tell us everything. To really understand and help reactive dogs, we need to look deeper and find out why they are behaving that way. Remember, every dog is special and deserves the right care and training to be happy. Let's go beyond just using labels and give our furry friends the help they need to navigate the world with us.
