Knowing the difference can supercharge your training results!
If you have a dog with big emotions, their even bigger displays can be pretty hard to live with.
But, which best describes YOUR dog?
And, how will understanding the difference help you get the results you want with your dog?
WHAT DOES IT MEAN IF A DOG IS REACTIVE?
Dog reactivity is a response to something in the environment that is perceived as a threat, or is overwhelming to the dog. Fear, anxiety, frustration, past trauma, lack of socialization, and genetic predisposition are some of the causes. Dogs display reactive behaviors to communicate with us and each other that something is wrong.
Leash Reactivity: Many dogs are particularly reactive when on leash, as some can feel trapped and unable to control the space between themselves and the trigger. For fearful dogs, they often prefer more distance from the trigger, whereas excited dogs might become frustrated at being held back. Although being leashed is necessary in modern society, and often for safety, the experience is not natural for dogs. Successful leash walking relies on us to understand a fearful dog’s need for space, and to help excited dogs learn to regulate themselves.
CAN DOG REACTIVITY BE CURED?
Many reactive dogs can improve significantly or completely with patience, consistency, and appropriate support and methods from their caretakers. It’s important to remember that reactions are a survival skill, not an abnormality that needs to be cured. Every dog is an individual with their own history and characteristics. Overcoming reactive responses, and helping them become more confident and comfortable will require their unique needs and environment to be addressed.
Many dogs begin to show reactive behavior, whether anxious or excited, during adolescence. Managing them appropriately during this time, rather than putting strict rules into place, will pay off in helping them grow into calm, well adjusted adults.
HOW ARE ANXIOUS AND EXCITED DOG REACTIVITY SYMPTOMS SIMILAR?
There’s a lot of overlap between them, so both anxious reacivity and excited reactivity can be characterized with these behaviors:
Barking
Jumping
Nipping
Screaming
Leash pulling
Growling
Snarling
Stiff body
Raised hackles
Panting
Pacing
Difficulty Focusing
HOW TO TELL THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN EXCITEMENT AND ANXIETY IN DOGS?
Excited dog reactivity is generally associated with dogs who are overwhelmed by their emotions and do not know how to regulate them. Sometimes they are described as "high energy dogs". Frustration is also likely an issue since the dog is often unable to act on their urge to approach or interact in the way they feel comfortable with in the moment.
This can grow into anxiety if the rules are too strict, their need to "get there" is not being satisfied, and no suitable outlet has been provided for expressing this need.
In addition to the common reactive behaviors of barking, lunging, snarling, snapping, growling, and leash pulling , excited reactivity may include some of the following behaviors:
Barking, howling or whining when anticipating something
Frenzied or hyper jumping, spinning, bouncing off furniture
Panting or drooling
Pulling on leash
Difficulty hearing you or focusing
High energy
Rough playfulness
Vigorous tail wagging
Nudging, pawing, or leaning on caregiver
Anxious Dog Reactivity is associated with the need for more space as they are anxious about being too close to something they are afraid or threatened by.
Whereas barking, lunging, snarling, snapping, growling, and leash pulling are common for most reactive dogs when triggered, a dog who is anxious may display additional behaviors when in the presence of a trigger, or when otherwise anxious. These could include:
Barking to scare things away or to get caregiver's attention
Frenzied or hyper jumping, spinning, bouncing off furniture
Shaking or trembling
Panting or drooling
Hiding or attempting to move away
Excessive licking, scratching, or chewing
Appetite changes
Sleep changes
HOW DOES THE TRAINING APPROACH DIFFER?
Since excited dogs typically want to move closer to their "trigger", and anxious dogs are generally making a big display to increase space instead, the approaches for helping them overcome these issues are different.
Dogs who are displaying excited reactivity often need to move! They are usually impatient to get "somewhere". With patience and consistency from the caregiver, positive reinforcement training, managing and channeling their excessive energy into appropriate outlets, establishing clear and loving boundaries, as well as teaching them impulse control and self regulation, dogs settle into much calmer and well adjusted companions.
Anxious reactivity is characterized by the need to create space. These dogs do not feel safe, so a safety net is established for them, followed by building their confidence so that they have new tools for coping with the world. A plan is devised to carefully provide opportunities for them to process the world and face their fears, while paying close attention to their body language in order to ensure they aren't pushed too far out of their comfort zone. With the caregiver being a reliable "safe space" for the dog, and celebrating small victories along the way, dogs learn that their human will help guide them, and that the world is not such a scary place.
WHAT'S NEXT?
Future blog posts will expand on the concepts of reactivity, anxiousness, and over excitement. Subscribe here and make sure you don't miss them!
If you need more help with your dog now, request your FREE discovery call to get acquainted.
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You can also work with me, and my services can be found with the following links:
Reactive Dog Training help:
Anxious Dog Training help:
Get Help Walking Your Dog at Your Favorite Place:
Anxious/Excited Dog Training Classes:
Group Dog Training Walks (aka Pack Walks)
If you aren't sure which service is right for your dog, please reach out for a free discovery call.