Living with a Reactive Dog: What does Progress really look like?
When we think about progress, it’s easy to picture a straight line from “Point A” to “Point B.” But in reality, especially when working with reactive dogs, progress often isn’t linear. With my own dog, Grimm, we’ve been working on his reactivity for over two years. Even after months without a reaction, he may respond to a trigger. In those moments, it’s easy to feel discouraged or even guilty, wondering what went wrong or what I should have done differently.
However, true progress in overcoming reactivity isn’t just about avoiding reactions. It’s also about recovery—for both the dog and the handler. When Grimm has a reaction, I feel my heart rate increase, my body becomes tense and my focus goes solely on Grimm as I work to maintain control of him and the situation. After my mind races, anxiety and guilt sets in and I begin over-analyzing what went wrong. Yet instead of dwelling on the moment, I’m learning to shift our focus back to us, using movement to create space from the other dog, gain eye contact and keep us moving. Once I find he is focusing on me and his body is more relaxed, I may begin to ask for behaviors that he finds fun, like spin or middle. This process of recovering and letting go is something I also need as his handler. Each time, I’m learning to assess the situation with compassion for both of us - to look for lessons rather than fault.
It’s important to remember that no team is perfect, and every partnership has tough days. When things don’t go as planned, we can reflect on the bigger picture and consider what may have contributed. Was the training session too long? Did I make an error? Or was the environment too overwhelming? Identifying the root cause can be challenging, but in any case, it’s essential to recognize how far we’ve come.
Building a cohesive team with our dogs is about more than obedience; it’s about forming a bond based on mutual trust, understanding our limits, and constantly growing together. Achieving neutrality isn’t about staying in our comfort zone—it requires us to push boundaries thoughtfully, knowing setbacks may come. In these moments, rather than feeling stuck or discouraged, we can take a moment to calm down, reassess the situation, and continue moving forward.
When you face a challenging day with your dog, consider these questions to reframe the experience:
Did you and your dog recover from the situation?
Were you able to regain engagement (e.g., eye contact, responding to their name or commands)?
What might have contributed to the reaction, and how can you learn from it? (e.g., Was the session too long? Was the environment overwhelming? Was the difficulty level too high?)
Are you and your dog in a better place than when you started?
Progression is rarely a smooth climb; it’s filled with highs, lows, and plateaus. Sometimes we take two steps forward, then one step back. There may be periods where progress feels static, but it’s often in pushing past these plateaus that real growth happens. Mistakes and imperfect moments are just part of the journey. Along the way, we’re growing with our dogs and learning together.