Understanding Reactivity in Dogs: What It Is and How We Can Support Your Pup

If you’ve ever walked with a dog who barks, lunges, or growls at certain triggers, you might have a reactive dog. But what is reactivity, anyway? And how can we support dogs who struggle with it?

What Is Reactivity?

Reactivity refers to how a dog responds to triggers in their environment. Some dogs react calmly, while others may exhibit signs of stress, fear, or frustration. Reactivity is not aggression—it’s often rooted in anxiety, overstimulation, or a lack of positive experiences with certain triggers.

Common Triggers for Reactive Dogs:

• Other dogs

• Strangers or unknown humans

• Small animals

• Sudden noises

• Being on a leash or behind a barrier (lknown as leash and/or barrier reactivity)

What Does Reactivity Look Like?

Reactivity presents differently in each dog, but common behaviors include:

• Barking

• Lunging

• Growling

• Whining

• Raised hackles

• Stiff posture

• Jumping

• Snapping

• Intense staring

Signs of Stress in Reactive Dogs:

Some more subtle signs of stress that we often see in reactive dogs include:

• Yawning

• Lip licking

• Sudden movements

• Avoidance or freezing behavior

Reactive Dogs Are Good Dogs.

Reactivity doesn’t make a dog "bad"—it simply means they need extra patience, guidance, and support. Many reactive dogs thrive with structured training, confidence-building exercises, and the right environment.

Meet Luna: Our Journey Living with a Reactive Dog

Luna, our first rescue dog, taught us everything we know about loving and supporting reactive dogs. Walking and caring for a reactive pup hasn’t always been easy, but it has been an incredibly rewarding journey. She’s shown us the importance of patience, advocacy, and understanding.

Because of Luna, we’ve become experienced in caring for and walking nervous, fearful, and reactive dogs. We believe all dogs deserve compassion, and we’re committed to making the world a more welcoming place for them. We engage in continuing education programs regularly to learn & improve our approach to dogs with these struggles.

If you have a reactive dog, know that you’re not alone. With the right approach and mindset, you and your pup can navigate the world together—one step at a time.

Customer Testimonials

💬 “We are very pleased with Shannon’s care of our dog, Mia. Mia is a rescue from the Middle East who had a very rough start to life and has a difficult time warming up to people, especially in our home as she can be territorial. Shannon has great instincts with dogs and approached her perfectly. She also did two trial drop-in visits for us before the house sitting to ensure Mia had time to warm up to her. It clearly worked as Mia now loves her.”

💬 “Shannon is amazing! She was patient and understanding with our German Shepherd, who is anxious and nervous with new people at our house. She knew just what to do and is willing to work with us to help Bruiser get past his anxiety and triggers. We are very grateful.”

If you’re looking for a pet sitter who understands the unique needs of reactive, anxious, and fearful dogs, we’d love to help. Every dog deserves compassionate care, and we’re here to provide it.