You read a lot about reactive dogs these days.
“But my dog isn’t reactive!” you cry.
“My dog is friendly and easygoing!”
That’s wonderful - and I can tell you that many owners of reactive - shy, anxious, fearful, “aggressive” - dogs envy you!
But do spare a thought for them.
Their dog isn’t trying to be difficult - more often than not, he’s simply afraid. And keeping the thing he fears away from him is all he feels he can do (assuming he’s on-lead and can’t bolt).
As the saying goes, “Their dog is not giving them a hard time, he’s having a hard time.”
Keep in mind that this dog may be wonderful at home, where he feels safe, and is most likely much loved. The owner will probably feel very protective towards him.
A nasty experience
Recently I saw a dog approaching that I knew was going to bark at mine. So I moved my super-sensitive reactive dog off the footpath ten yards into the plough. Yes, her dog did kick off, and mine went ballistic in response!
So did she hurry by?
Not a bit of it!
She decided to stand on the path and harangue me - “Your dog’s this .. your dog’s that ..” she screamed, and as I turned and moved away up the path, she actually followed me, still screaming.
Madness, you’d think?
Perhaps she was trying to cover up the fact that it was her dog that started it!
This is no time for abuse, or withering looks. Both the reactive dog and his handler are having a hard enough time already.
They already feel bad, without someone else loading shame on them.
So what can you do to help these dogs?
Having had no experience of managing a reactive dog, you probably don’t know how best to deal with the situation when you come across one.
So here’s a quick tip for you.
If you are approaching a dog - any dog - who is on lead, put your dog on lead too.
This levels the playing field, and shows the worried owner that you’re willing to help.
If left loose, your friendly dog may bowl up to this reactive dog, all waving tail and lolling tongue, and give him the fright of his life!
This isn’t a pleasant experience for your dog either, when his friendly advances are met with teeth, ferocious barking, and leaping around.
What else can you do?
If you can change your route, cross the road, or move over to another part of the field, this is really helpful. You will be rewarded with a beaming smile from a relieved handler.
Sometimes this isn’t possible, like if you’re on a footpath with hedges either side. While the reactive dog owner will do their best to get their dog off the path and stand between them and you, it can be difficult to avoid passing.
Pass as quickly as possible, keeping your dog on the far side of you.
Stopping to talk, commiserate, stare at the frightened dog, perhaps stop your dog to tell him not to bark - this all lengthens the time the reactive dog feels at risk.
Remember, ninety-nine times out of a hundred, this dog is not nasty - he’s just afraid!
So speed past, with just a quick hello as you whoosh by.
It’s not that the other owner is unfriendly, or doesn’t want to talk to anyone … it’s just that they can’t! Their whole focus is on keeping their dog calm.
It’s no fun hanging on to the lead with a bucking bronco swinging about on the end of it, snarling and barking - while trying to stay upright!
By keeping your dog - however delightful and friendly! - out of their way, you are genuinely helping them.
I’m sure you are not like the person in the story above. You wouldn’t be here at Brilliant Family Dog reading this if you were.
By the way, if the other dog is muzzled, it doesn’t necessarily mean he’s dangerous - there are a lot of reasons for muzzling a dog. But the muzzle means that this is actually a safer dog - as all his weaponry is behind a grille!
Dogs … and life
It’s true about everything in life - we need to keep an open mind, learn continually, and see things from the other chap’s point of view.
How many tussles, battles, even wars, would not happen if we could just follow that?
Meanwhile, for a bit of help in perfecting your own, easy, dog, watch our free Workshop here!
