A few months ago, I set out to interview a few reactive dog owners. I ended up talking to 50+ owners, professional trainers, behaviorists, and rescue operators.
Why? Because my own reactive dog, Dolly, had me wondering if I’m the only one struggling with reactive dog triggers. When I posted a few messages on LinkedIn, Reddit and in my Slack communities asking for people to talk to, I didn’t expect much of a response.
But it’s apparent that I’m not alone in dealing with this challenge. (And neither are you.)
Interview highlights
💔 Biggest challenges or stressors for dog parents
Travel: Now knowing how they’re doing is doing while they’re away. Stressing out about potential emergencies when there’s no backup plan
Social isolation: Avoiding friends, guests, or events to prevent incidents
Judgment from others: Feeling blamed or shamed for their dog’s behavior
Unpredictability: Not knowing when or how a reaction might happen
Overwhelm: There are lots of resources out there and it’s hard to know what’s right.
🎯 Real wins from real owners
Hidden testicle issue causing pain → surgery → major improvement
Prozac → can calmly be in the same house with other people
Reactive dog agility class → dog has outlet for energy
Discovered groomer specializing in reactive dogs → no more fear
💙 THE SHIFT: From "fixing" to understanding
⭐️ Pro tips from the professionals
Check for health issues first: many reactive behaviors have medical causes (pain, discomfort, etc.)
Consistency is your superpower: get your entire household on Team Dog. When everyone uses the same training approach, it’s less confusing for your pup.
Small steps, big results: that one quiet car ride? That's progress worth celebrating!
Marathon mindset: The owners who see the best results know it's about consistency, not speed.
Troubleshoot: When a method doesn’t work, don’t give up yet. Try “A/B testing” it.
How we (dog parents) got to this
There wasn’t a consensus on what causes dog reactivity. Some dogs were rescues and others were from breeders. A few owners have had dogs before but it was their first time with a reactive dog.
Dogs had different triggers too: dogs, strangers, men, women, and objects (like fences, balloons, and lawn ornaments.)
One common theme I noticed was overwhelm and even resignation. There are lots of resources and schools of thought out there and most of us have tried a few. Some fear they’ve made their dog’s reactivity worse by using the wrong method.
What happens next?
I'm not done learning. These interviews have motivated me to keep seeking and sharing success stories. My hope is that these wins will help inspire more reactive dog-friendly spaces, services, and policies, so we can get a bit more support.
Keep showing up for your difficult dog. They're lucky to have you.
Joni
P.S. That dream of a brewery dog? One trainer said: "Half the 'calm' dogs there are miserable. Your reactive dog is just honest about their feelings."
Maybe our dogs are onto something. 🐕❤️
Want to share your story?
Are you a dog parent with a success story or a dog professional or advocate making life better for dogs? I’d love to share your story in an upcoming newsletter. Reply and let me know.