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The Perfect Pup, LLC

Types of Reactive Behavior in Dogs

Types of Reactive Behavior in Dogs

Last month, The Perfect Pup introduced a new class called Relief for Reactive Dogs. It is being taught by guest instructor Kelly Leisten from Applaud the Dog in Guilford. This class has become very popular, very quickly. There are many types of reactive behavior in dogs. They usually stem from fear or frustration. If you have been questioning whether you have a reactive dog, we have written an article this week on the types of reactive behavior in dogs and how you can recognize them. You should also check out our article on apartment living with a reactive dog.

Types of Reactive Behavior in Dogs

Barrier Frustration
This behavior occurs when a reactive dog sees something that they want to look at but can’t because there is an obstacle in their way. This can occur in the home or on the leash outside. When a dog is experiencing barrier frustration, they may exhibit the following behaviors.
• Barking
• Lunging at the barrier
• Pulling on the leash
• Snapping
Sometimes barrier frustration can be triggered by a reactive dog spending too much time in a crate and lacking exercise. While most dogs may get antsy when they are deprived of exercise, reactive dogs may exhibit excessive frustration behaviors.

Fear-Based Reactivity
Another type of reactive behavior is fear-based. When a dog is fearful, they will react by baring teeth, growling, and barking. A reactive dog usually does not want to attack, nor be attacked and this is why they exhibit protective and aggressive behaviors. Think of it as a rattlesnake shaking its tail when a person gets too close.

Learned Behavior
Some dogs exhibit reactive behavior because of stimuli they see that have given them a negative experience in the past. For example, they may associate seeing another dog with a jerk on the leash and that creates a negative stimuli experience. Over time, this will lead to an escalation in reactive behavior.