Bringing home a puppy is an exciting time, full of snuggles, playtime, and bonding. But for some puppy parents, the experience may be different if their new furry friend is reactive and they may ask “How can I help my reactive puppy?”
A reactive puppy overreacts to certain stimuli, often barking, lunging, or showing fear when encountering people, animals, or unfamiliar objects. While it can be overwhelming, know that you can help your reactive puppy grow into a confident and well-adjusted dog with patience and the right strategies.
Remember, it’s important to understand why puppies become reactive. Reactivity usually stems from fear, anxiety, frustration, or even excitement. Much like human babies, puppies are constantly learning about the world around them, and some situations or sights may be overwhelming.
For example, a reactive puppy might bark and lunge at other dogs because they feel scared or frustrated, not knowing how to interact properly. Some puppies may bark at strangers due to fear or not interacting with humans. The positive in this, is that reactivity can often be helped with training and positive reinforcement.
The first step in helping a reactive puppy is identifying what may trigger them. Does your puppy bark at other dogs, certain noises, or people wearing hats? By observing your puppy, you can start knowing what causes them to react. Keep a notebook of their reactions to help you notice certain patterns.
Once you know these triggers, you can work on controlled exposure and desensitisation, which involves gradually introducing your puppy to the stimuli safely and positively.
When your puppy starts to react, feeling stressed or frustrated is natural. However, your puppy can pick up on your emotions. If you’re tense, it can escalate their reaction. Instead, focus on remaining calm and collected, even if the situation feels challenging.
A calm owner helps a puppy feel more secure. Please don’t yell or punish your puppy, as this can make them more anxious and worsen their reactivity. Reactivity is a behaviour that requires time and patience to manage effectively.
One of the most effective ways to help a reactive puppy is through positive reinforcement training. This method focuses on rewarding good behaviour rather than punishing bad behaviour. When your puppy remains calm in a situation where they would typically react, reward them with treats, praise, or playtime. This teaches them that good things happen when they stay calm.
Start training in a low-distraction environment, then slowly increase the difficulty by introducing some mild triggers. For example, if your puppy is reactive to other dogs, begin by having them sit and stay while a dog is far in the distance. Reward them for staying calm. Gradually decrease the distance over time, always ensuring your puppy stays below their threshold for reactivity.
Desensitisation and counter-conditioning are powerful techniques for managing reactivity. Desensitisation involves gradually exposing your puppy to the stimulus that triggers their reaction at a lower intensity until they no longer react. Counter-conditioning associates the trigger with a positive experience such as a treat, to help change your puppy’s emotional response.
For example, if your puppy is reactive to loud noises, you can play recordings of the sound at a low volume while offering treats. Over time, they’ll learn to associate the noise with something positive rather than something scary. Gradually increase the volume as they grow more comfortable.
Sometimes, the best way to help your reactive puppy is to give them space from the trigger. If you’re walking your puppy and encounter something they react to, cross the street or move to a quieter area. This reduces the stress and gives your puppy a chance to calm down.
Creating distance is also helpful during training sessions. If your puppy is too close to the trigger, it can overwhelm them, making it difficult for them to learn. Start far away and gradually decrease the distance as your puppy improves.
Teaching your puppy to focus on you can be a game-changer for managing reactivity.
Gradually expose your puppy to different people, places, sounds, and other dogs in a controlled and positive manner. The goal is to help them feel confident and comfortable in various environments.
However, be mindful of your puppy’s limits. Pushing them too far too fast can worsen reactivity. Go at your puppy’s pace and ensure each experience is positive.
Don’t hesitate to seek help from a professional dog trainer or behaviorist.
The above guidelines can help answer “How Can I Help My Reactive Puppy?”
Helping a reactive puppy takes time, consistency, and a lot of patience, but it’s worth the effort. Remember, every puppy is different, so progress may take time, but with dedication, your reactive puppy can grow into a happy, well-adjusted adult dog.
Until next time.
