Reactive dog training: what it is and how to find help

This guide explains what reactivity is, why it happens, and how to choose a professional. It is general information. It can't assess your dog, and it isn't a training plan.

Immediate safety risk? Contact local emergency services or a veterinarian first. Read our safety guidance.

What reactivity looks like

Cornell University's College of Veterinary Medicine describes reactive dogs as dogs that "become overly aroused by common stimuli." They may lunge, bark, and growl, and they can become so focused on the trigger that they are hard to control. Common triggers include other dogs, people, bikes, and cars.

You are not alone if your dog does this. In a Finnish study of nearly 14,000 dogs, owners reported at least one unwanted behavior in 73% of them.

Why dogs react

Cornell lists genetics, a lack of socialization, bad past experiences, and a lack of training as causes, and notes that a reactive dog is often a fearful one. VCA Animal Hospitals also describes frustration: some dogs bark and lunge because a fence, window, or leash keeps them from reaching another dog.

Pain can play a part too. In a 2020 review, veterinary behavior specialists estimated that a painful condition was involved in roughly a third of their referred dog cases, and in some caseloads the figure was much higher.

See a veterinarian when

the behavior started suddenly or changed quickly,
your dog seems sore, stiff, or unwell,
a person or animal has been injured.

A veterinarian can check for medical causes. A board-certified veterinary behaviorist can also prescribe medication when it is appropriate.

Who can help

Trainers, certified behavior consultants, and veterinary behaviorists have different training, and "behaviorist" is not a regulated title. Our Denver behaviorist page explains the credentials and lists businesses that state them. If your dog has bitten or tried to, start with trainers who take aggression cases.

Questions to ask a trainer

How much of your work is with reactive dogs like mine?
What methods and equipment would you use, and why?
What credentials do you hold, and where can I check them?
Do you work with veterinarians when a case needs one?
What does the first session cost, and what does it include?

A note on methods

Trainers use different methods, and this directory shows each business's methods as the business states them. For reference, the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior's 2021 position statement recommends reward-based methods for all dog training and behavior modification and advises against aversive tools such as shock, prong, and choke collars.

Find help in Denver

Every listing shows its source and the date we checked it. Nothing is ranked, and no listing is an endorsement.

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