Reactive / Aggressive Dogs

It's very convoluted to tell the difference between a reactive dog and an aggressive dog. Especially while that dog is on-leash. So Let's Go Deeper. 

Dog Reactivity : As stated above, most dogs who are on leash and reactive towards other dogs, do not have intention to seriously hurt those dogs, and so, they are categorized as leash reactive. If your dog is barking, snarling, barreling towards other dogs, and also has a history of hurting other dogs, chances are that they are also dog aggressive.

Human Reactivity : If your dog barking, growls, or lunges at humans, in most cases it can be concluded that they are fearful of people. It may only be with a specific person or people who are dressed in a certain way, or of a specific gender. Nonetheless, if your dog barks, grunts or lunges at people while on a walk, and has a history of biting people, they would be qualified as human aggressive.

Object Reactivity : Canines who bark, grumble, lunge at items in their environment. Usually the dog was not properly socialized with that particular item at a young age. This reactivity usually stems from fear, due to a lack of exposure. 

Animal Reactivity: Canines who growl or lunge at animals like cats, birds, rabbits, etc. This category of reactivity is usually seen in dogs who have a high prey drive. This prey drive is known as the drive that motivates dogs to hunt and hold other living beings. An inconsequential amount of these dogs actually desire to kill the animals, and some do. The only way to tell is to allow them access to the animals which is not advised.

Will I have to manage my reactive/ aggressive K9, or can they be rehabilitated?

Yes, both reactive and aggressive canines can be retrained effectively nevermind the type or ferocity. Some canine behaviorists are better than others at working with these situations. Quality trainers will have the aptitude on how to rehabilitate your reactive or aggressive dog in most cases so that less guidance will be needed long term.

Just because a trainer can work with your dog doesn’t mean they will magically be fixed and will no longer require ongoing support. All reactive or aggressive canines will need ongoing instruction to ensure that your desired results continue. Think of it as an annual tune up that you would get for your vehicle to ensure it is in good working order.