Dog Reactivity Chart : A Comprehensive Guide

Are you struggling to understand your dog’s behavior? Does your furry friend seem to get overly excited or aggressive when encountering other dogs or people? If so, you may be dealing with a case of reactivity.

In a previous article, we covered the basics of reactive dog training and provided tips and techniques for managing reactivity in dogs. In this article, we’ll delve deeper into the various forms of reactivity in dogs and provide a comprehensive Dog Reactivity Chart to help you understand and manage your dog’s behavior.

What is Dog Reactivity?

Dog reactivity refers to a dog’s tendency to overreact or become overly excited in certain situations. This can manifest in a variety of ways, including barking, lunging, growling, snapping, or attempting to escape.

Reactivity can occur in response to a wide range of stimuli, such as other dogs, people, cars, bikes, or even objects like hats or umbrellas.

Reactivity is often a sign of stress or anxiety in dogs, and it can be a result of a variety of factors, including genetics, socialization, past experiences, and training.

While reactivity can be a normal part of a dog’s behavior, it can also be a source of frustration for owners and a potential safety hazard for both the dog and those around them.

Types of Dog Reactivity

There are several different types of reactivity that can affect dogs. Here are a few common examples:

Dog-to-Dog Reactivity:

This type of reactivity occurs when a dog becomes overstimulated or aggressive towards other dogs. This can happen when the dog is on a leash and encounters another dog, or when the dog is off-leash and allowed to approach other dogs.

People-to-Dog Reactivity

This type of reactivity occurs when a dog becomes overstimulated or aggressive towards people, either when the dog is on a leash or off-leash.

Leash Reactivity

This type of reactivity occurs when a dog becomes overstimulated or aggressive while on a leash. This can happen when the dog is walked past other dogs, people, or other stimuli that trigger their reactivity.

Read our full article regarding How to Train a Leash Reactive Dog.

Territorial Reactivity

This type of reactivity occurs when a dog becomes overstimulated or aggressive towards people or dogs who approach their home, yard, or territory.

Resource Guarding Reactivity

This type of reactivity occurs when a dog becomes overstimulated or aggressive towards people or dogs who approach their food, toys, or other resources.

Understanding Your Dog’s Reactivity: dog reactivity chart

To help you understand your dog’s reactivity, we’ve created a comprehensive chart outlining the various types of reactivity and their common triggers.

Use this Dog Reactivity Chart to identify the type of reactivity your dog is experiencing and determine the best course of action for managing their behavior.

Type of Reactivity	Common Triggers	Recommended Course of Action
Dog-to-Dog Reactivity	Other dogs	Socialize your dog with a variety of dogs at a young age to help prevent this type of reactivity. Use positive reinforcement training techniques to teach your dog to associate other dogs with rewards. Consider using a head halter or other training tool to give you more control over your dog’s head and mouth.
People-to-Dog Reactivity	People, especially those who are unfamiliar or perceived as a threat	Socialize your dog with a variety of people at a young age to help prevent this type of reactivity. Use positive reinforcement training techniques to teach your dog to associate people with rewards. Consider using a head halter or other training tool to give you more control over your dog’s head and mouth. Consider enrolling your dog in a training class specifically designed to address reactivity towards people.
Leash Reactivity	Stimuli that are encountered while on a leash, such as other dogs, people, or objects	Use positive reinforcement training techniques to teach your dog to associate the stimuli with rewards. Consider using a head halter or other training tool to give you more control over your dog’s head and mouth. Practice desensitization and counterconditioning exercises to help your dog learn to remain calm in the presence of the stimuli.
Territorial Reactivity	People or dogs approaching the dog’s home, yard, or territory	Use positive reinforcement training techniques to teach your dog to associate people and dogs with rewards. Consider using a head halter or other training tool to give you more control over your dog’s head and mouth. Practice desensitization and counterconditioning exercises to help your dog learn to remain calm in the presence of people or dogs approaching their territory. Consider using barriers such as fences or gates to prevent unwanted approaches.
Resource Guarding Reactivity	People or dogs approaching the dog’s food, toys, or other resources	Use positive reinforcement training techniques to teach your dog to associate people and dogs with rewards. Practice desensitization and counterconditioning exercises to help your dog learn to remain calm in the presence of people or dogs approaching their resources. Consider using barriers such as crates or gates to prevent unwanted approaches.

Managing Your Dog’s Reactivity: Tips and Techniques

If you’re dealing with a reactive dog, it’s important to take steps to manage their behavior and prevent incidents from occurring. Here are a few tips and techniques to help you do just that:

Use positive reinforcement training techniques

Positive reinforcement training involves reinforcing desired behaviors with rewards, such as treats or praise. This can be an effective way to teach your dog to associate certain stimuli with rewards, rather than reactivity.

Practice desensitization and counterconditioning

Desensitization involves exposing your dog to the stimuli that trigger their reactivity in a controlled and gradual manner. Counterconditioning involves pairing the stimuli with positive reinforcement, so that the dog learns to associate the stimuli with rewards rather than reactivity.

Use training tools

Training tools such as head halters, harnesses, and leashes can give you more control over your dog’s head and mouth, which can be helpful in managing their reactivity.

Use barriers

Barriers such as fences, gates, and crates can help prevent unwanted approaches and reduce the likelihood of reactivity.

Seek professional help

If you’re struggling to manage your dog’s reactivity, consider seeking the help of a professional dog trainer or behaviorist. They can provide you with personalized advice and techniques to help you manage your dog’s behavior.

Conclusion

Understanding and managing your dog’s reactivity can be a challenging task, but it’s an important one.

By using the tips and techniques outlined in this article, you can help your dog learn to react appropriately to various stimuli and reduce the likelihood of incidents occurring.

Remember to be patient, consistent, and positive, and you and your furry friend can enjoy a happy and healthy relationship.