Reactivity (barking/lunging/growling, etc.) and Aggression in dogs are all NORMAL behaviors.

Aggression/reactivity/fear/anxiety are typically complex emotional responses to stimuli in the environment

….but it’s more complex than what you might have been told elsewhere.

Let’s get one thing straight:

YOUR DOG IS NOT ‘BAD’, ‘MEAN’, ‘AGGRESSIVE’, ‘REACTIVE’ - OR A MONSTER!!

Dogs will react differently to stimuli, depending on the breed. Some will be ‘triggered’ by one thing while another breed will hardly pay attention to it.

This is partly because we humans (for hundreds and thousands of years) have artificially selected for different reactions, behaviors, and specialized skills in different dog breeds so that they could perform certain jobs or functions that we needed the particular breed for, like herding, hunting, guarding, etc.

We just don’t need those skills anymore - so now we call them ‘problem behaviors’.

Think. about. that. for. a. moment.

Thus, when a dog is being ‘reactive’ it is not always a sign of fear, as you may have heard elsewhere.

A dog may be ‘reactive’ or ‘aggressive’ due to any of these factors:

His 4 L.E.G.S.® = past LEARNING, ENVIRONMENT, GENETICS, and his unique SELF, which include any of the following examples:

• Perceived threat to his safety or territory/resources

• Hazard Avoidance behavior

• Lack of choice = Restricted in his choice or movement (by a leash or a fence)

• Lack of proper socialization as a puppy.

• Underlying health issues (pain, fear, anxiety, stress, disability, etc.)

• Developmental stage/sex/status/age, etc.

• Feeling cornered.

• Constant manipulation of his body against his will (grooming, commands, being picked up, yanked, etc.)

• Result of living in captivity.

• Learned behavior pattern.

• Not having his needs met (lack of mental and physical stimulation).

• Mirroring human behavior (our emotional state, stress, frustration response, etc.)

• And SO MUCH MORE….

As a dog parent experiencing this behavior issue in YOUR dog, we understand how frustrating and scary this behavior can be. This is why we have created two unique programs to address this very common issue in pet homes.

Over the past 100 years, our circumstances and the environment we live in has changed, and so has our dog’s, We no longer need our dog to exhibit many of the behaviors and skills he comes with in his DNA - but that of course does not mean it’s not still a part of his DNA.

The key point to understand is that before we can help YOUR dog, or any dog, we need to understand his 4 L.E.G.S.® (his Learning-Environment-Genetics-Self )- because all 4 influence your dog’s behavior all the time (24/7!)

Most people know t’s important to socialize puppies, especially in the socialization window between 8-16 weeks when they typically meet any new experience fearlessly…..as long as WE introduce them to things in a positive manner.

But even if you have done your homework with your puppy, your adult dog can still be triggered by something or someone in his environment that may cause him to REACT aggressively depending on his 4 LEGS:

His past LEARNING experiences, his past ENVIRONMENT, his GENETIC makeup, and his unique SELF (his overall health and well-being, his age, developmental stage, etc.)

As humans, we have an enormous responsibility to both take the time to understand how we may accidentally trigger or reinforce reactivity and aggression, especially if we do not have the right tools or understanding of how to help our dogs feel safe and navigate tricky situations confidently- but also what we can do to prevent and/or resolve this issue and to know what signs to look out for.

This is why EDUCATION is everything and you can be sure to get it from us here at The Dog Talker LLC!

The fact that you have landed here on our website means you have likely not had the right tools to work with, or that no one has taught you how to handle this behavior correctly. Maybe you have worked with a dog trainer or tried different remedies yourself.

No matter where you are on your journey with your dog’s Reactivity/Aggression, you have come to the right place:

The Dog Talker LLC is Charleston’s Leading Aggression and Dog Behavior Expert and our Signature Reactivity/Aggression Programs will help you get a better understanding of your dog’s problematic behavior and help you set your dog, your family, and your home up for success!