Since they cannot speak to us, dogs express their feelings through behavior. A dog's behavior is almost entirely a result of what people have done for them, to them, or failed to do for them.
Dogs (and people) can be put into one of four different behavior categories.
SOCIAL dogs love and trust everyone. Rocky Junior is a social dog.
SELECTIVE dogs have a few friends they trust, but don't want to engage with others.
TOLERANT dogs won't act out in the presence of other dogs, but they feel fearful.
INTOLERANT dogs display fear, in the form of reactivity and even aggression.
Do you have a fearful or reactive dog? If so, we know how difficult it can be to live with and try to help a fearful, reactive dog, or, if you prefer, an "aggressive" dog. I don't like to label dogs as aggressive as, unlike humans, dogs are not capable or forming intent. They live in the moment, and aggression is an extension of reactivity that happens when people who are present do not recognize and respect what a dog is telling them.
What to do when you have a reactive dog? Get qualified help. It's frightening to see our dogs behave like this, and sometimes we (or a "trainer") react angrily or punitively, as if the dog has made a choice to behave this way, but of course this isn't true. We need to set our dogs up for success by engaging in therapy and employing management to prevent anxiety and reactions when we're not in training sessions.
Absolutely do not engage the services of a dominance or balanced trainer. If you do, your dog will be shocked, choked and punished for being fearful. If you wouldn't do it to a toddler, don't do it to a dog.
It makes absolutely no sense to punish a child or a dog for being afraid.
So, what are the causes of reactivity in dogs? Answering this question is often difficult, since dogs cannot tell us what is wrong. All we can do is treat their symptoms, and do so in a manner that will not harm the dog.
Causes of Behavioral Problems in Dogs
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MEDICAL - related to illness, injury or disease
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BEHAVIORAL - influenced / caused by people
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GENETIC - caused by a dog's genetic makeup
Almost all fearful, reactive behavior (95% or so) is caused by one of 3 things:
Inadequate, Positive Socialization During The Primary Socialization Period (6-16 weeks of age)
or
Using forceful, punitive training methods
or
PTSD caused by traumatic events
What to do when you have a reactive dog? Get qualified help. Absolutely do not engage the services of a dominance or balanced trainer. If you do, your dog will be shocked, choked and punished for being fearful. Remember, your dog is a toddler! If you wouldn't do it to a toddler, don't do it to a dog.
It makes absolutely no sense to punish a child or a dog for being afraid.
So, what are the causes of reactivity in dogs? Answering this question is often difficult, since dogs cannot tell us what is wrong. All we can do is treat their symptoms, and do so in a manner that will not harm the dog.
In about 5% of cases a medical condition (causing pain) or a genetic condition is involved.
This is why it's always a good idea to first consult your veterinarian, so that thorough diagnostics can be done to confirm or rule out a number of conditions that could be contributing to your dog's behavior.
Top Row, L-R: Daisy the Australian Shepherd, Buddy the King Charles Cavalier Spaniel, Fawn the deaf and vision impaired Australian Shepherd, Hank the Saint Bernard and Marzipan the Belgian Malinois.
Center: Rocky Junior, both photos.
Bottom Row, Left to Right: Rocket the German Shepherd-Belgian Malinois mix, Rocky the Golden Retriever, Roxy the super cute mixed breed dog, Nila the German Shepherd-Husky mix and Aurora the German Shepherd.
Helping Your Dog Become Happy and Confident Is Where It's At!
We'll help you and your dog through highly effective, positive, science based methods. We will never even consider shocking, choking, hitting or kicking your dog. You don't conquer fear with punishment.
Our Reactivity And Fear Therapy (RAFT) programs set dogs and their people up for success.
First, we take all the fear, confrontation and stress out of your dog's life. We'll recommend appropriate management at home, we all as teach your dog(s) confidence enhancing skills training. Once we go into RAFT (often at only the second lesson) we will set your dog up for success by ensuring your dog has the distance needed from scary stimuli so that the dog doesn't feel anxiety. On a 30 foot training leash during RAFT therapy sessions, your dog will feel free to sniff and roam, with little to absolutely no anxiety. You will be absolutely amazed at the changes in your dog's behavior and demeanor during RAFT sessions. Your dog will be happy!
RAFT-2 is what we most commonly use. Just the client(s) and their dog(s) are present, along with your trainer.
RAFT-1 sessions involve Rocky Junior working with dog reactive dogs. Rocky will be 12 years old on June 15, 2023, so we have to limit him to 4 or 5 sessions per week. He only works with the most serious cases.
We use large, open areas for RAFT sessions, which are therapeutic for the fearful dog. We absolutely want to avoid Immersion Therapy, sometimes referred to as "flooding" by dog trainers. Immersion therapy doesn't work. In fact, it increases fear. That's why using RAFT is so important - it avoids the pitfalls of immersion therapy, providing the fearful dog with exactly what it needs: Distance and Comfort.
We would love to help you with your fearful dog. Help Is Here!
