Reactive Dog Training in Austin
If your dog barks and lunges at other dogs on walks, you're not alone! The good news is: we can help.
Reactivity is one of the most common behavior problems we work with. So let's talk about dog reactivity and training options!
What is dog reactivity?
We define reactivity as a strong reaction when a dog sees other dogs, or sometimes people or object (like cars or skateboards).
It can involve aggression, but may also be due to overexcitement or other factors.
Regardless of the cause, it can be extremely frustrating: so our team is here to help.
Reactive Dog Training Options
If on-leash reactivity to other dogs is the main issue you're dealing with, we recommend starting with this group class.
Join our Reactive Dog Class Level 1 Foundations course! It's only 4-weeks long and will give you all the skills and information you need to begin your reactive dog training journey. Best of all? It's virtual, all from the comfort of your own home.
Once you've finished class, you can jump-start into private training.
If you're struggling with multiple behavior issues, or you've already got some training experience, you may want to start directly with our 1-on-1 customized behavior consulting.
We'll begin with a Virtual Behavior Consultation to dive deep into everything that's going on and come up with a training plan. From there, we can work virtually or in-person to treat your dog's reactivity and other challenges.
FAQs About Dog Reactivity Training
Why is my dog reactive?
Reactivity can be caused by a lot of things- pain, fear, or even overexcitement. Before we start training, we want to get lots of info to figure out why your dog is reacting.
Is dog reactivity the same as aggression?
Sometimes, but not always. Some dog with reactivity would do harm if given the chance. But many are trying to scare other dogs away, and others are actually reacting because they're so desperate to play. So we don't make assumptions until we've got all the facts.
How long does it take to fix dog reactivity?
It depends! Sometimes we can solve an underlying problem or set a dog up for success and the reactivity is gone in a session or two. In other cases, it's something we may be working on for many months. It really depends on the cause of the reactivity!
How to train reactive dogs
We recommend only working with trainers who use rewards-based, positive reinforcement methods. Why?
Tools like prong collars and shock collars are designed to make dogs feel pain or discomfort, and can make reactivity worse in many cases! A lot of our clients have come to us after using these tools and seeing that it made their dog's reactivity worse.
Here at Every Dog, we fix dog reactivity by treating the root cause.
If your dog began reacting after being attacked by an off-leash dog, we need to treat that trauma. If they're reacting due to underlying pain or discomfort, we'll need to treat that first. But we want to help you find real, long-lasting solutions to your dog's reactivity.
How to socialize a reactive dog
We get this question a lot, and it's tricky. The truth is that for most reactive dogs, exposing them to other dogs (especially in "pack walks") is NOT going to help, and will often make things worse.
Dogs aren't pack animals, and putting an anxious dog in a group with other dogs can be a recipe for disaster. Instead, we help create a plan to slowly help your dog get comfortable being around other dogs- in a way that lasts for the long-term.
Board and train for reactive dogs
This is another common question! We generally don't recommend board and trains for most dogs with behavior issues. In part this is because many behavior problems are contextual, and we want to make sure you get solutions that will work in YOUR neighborhood!
But we also recommend against it because there are only a small handful of board and train options in Austin run by certified trainers with a true understanding of dog behavior. Many board and train facilities use shock or prong collars, often in the hands of inexperienced trainers. This presents major safety risks!
If you're looking for board and train options in Austin, please stick to one of the providers on this referral list.
Who Are the Best Reactive Dog Trainers in Austin?
Well, we can’t fairly say who’s the “best,” but we’re fortunate to have a ton of wonderful certified, positive reinforcement trainers in the Austin area. You can see our directory here.
In the Austin area and ready to get started with training? Set up private training or join a group class!