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Understanding Your Dog’s Reactivity
- houndsretreat25
- Sep 26
- 3 min read
Have you ever been out walking your dog when suddenly they start barking, lunging, or acting like the world is ending? It can be stressful—but it doesn’t mean your dog is “bad.”
What you’re seeing is called reactivity. Reactivity is usually driven by strong emotions—like fear, stress, frustration, or even excitement .Even health issues or pain. A sore hip or ear infection can make a dog much more sensitive.
When your dog reacts this way, they’re not trying to cause trouble. Most of the time, they’re simply overwhelmed and unsure how to handle what’s happening around them.
What Exactly Is a Trigger?
Think of a trigger as the spark that sets off your dog’s reaction. Every dog has different triggers, and they can be big or small, obvious or surprising. Some common ones include:
Other dogs – especially if your dog has had a scary or negative experience in the past.
People – children, strangers, or even someone wearing a hat or sunglasses.
Fast-moving things – bikes, scooters, or skateboards.
Other animals – cats, squirrels, or wildlife. Sometimes the reaction is instinctual; other times it’s fueled by fear, excitement, or frustration.
Weather – strong winds, thunder, or sudden storms can unsettle some dogs and trigger a reaction.
Triggers can also be very specific. For example, your dog might be fine with calm adult dogs but react to excitable puppies, or only react to other animals when they’re moving quickly or nearby. Distance and context matter—a lot.
The Domino Effect: Trigger Stacking
Have you ever had one of those days where little annoyances keep piling up, and the tiniest thing finally pushes you over the edge? Dogs experience that too—it’s called trigger stacking.
Here’s how it might look:
The night before, there was thunder or a stressful vet visit.
The next day, your dog hears a barking dog.
Then a loud truck zooms by.
Next, a stranger walks up quickly.
Each of these events on its own might be manageable. But when they happen close together, the stress stacks up, and your dog can become overwhelmed, leading to a much bigger reaction than you’d expect.
Primary vs. Secondary Triggers
Not all triggers are created equal.
Primary triggers are the obvious ones—dogs, people, vehicles, wildlife.
Secondary triggers are the behind-the-scenes factors that amplify your dog’s response:
A crowded park versus a quiet trail.
Windy or stormy weather.
Your own stress—dogs pick up on it.
Whether they’re with you, another family member, or the whole crew.
Even health issues or pain. A sore hip or ear infection can make a dog much more sensitive.
This is why it’s always worth checking with your vet if reactivity suddenly worsens.
Tracking Triggers: Your Secret Weapon
One of the best tools for managing reactivity?
Write down things like:
Your dogs body language
Where you were and what the environment was like.
What triggered your dog.
How you were feeling at the time.
Exactly how your dog reacted, and how strong it was.
Over time, patterns will pop out. You’ll start to see not just what triggers your dog, but when and why. And once you know that, you can predict and manage situations more effectively—setting your dog up for calmer, more positive walks.
Your Dog
Reactivity doesn’t mean your dog is aggressive. It means they’re struggling to cope with certain situations. By learning their triggers, paying attention to secondary factors, and tracking their responses, you can reduce reactivity and help your dog feel safer and more confident.
After all, your dog isn’t giving you a hard time—they’re having a hard time. And with understanding and patience, you can help them through it and help build your dog’s confidence in this busy (sometime scary) world.
💡 Check out our other blog posts for tips on connecting with your dog and calming enrichment ideas to keep them happy and balanced.
✨ Need extra support? Learn how I help dogs and their owners at Hounds Retreat to build confidence and add enrichment to everyday life.
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