Understanding what your reactive dog might struggle with can be so confusing!
It can feel like it’s the world that’s the problem, that there’s no pattern, or that there might be a pattern, but seeing it sometimes can be really difficult. You know that some dogs provoke a stronger reaction, or that some dogs are less problematic.
Sure there are some really obvious times, like when you turn a blind corner and walk straight into the neighbours terrier – but other times it can be a mystery.
Categories
Typically, these dogs fall into a couple of categories;
- Socially rude
- Over energetic
- Dogs whose selective breeding inhibits communication.
All of these play on the insecurities of your reactive dog, where they expect to see a threat, they will see one! But it comes down to nuances of body language a lot of the time.
Why Do You Need To Know This?
Well, to me, one of the toughest things reactive dog parents go through is the not knowing.
Not knowing triggers makes getting a starting point so tough. So I wanted to share a shortlist of dogs who can be problematic for reactive dogs.
These all come from my experience with my reactive dog, and working with reactive dogs.
1 – Dogs With An Intense Stare
This tends to come with what they’re bred for. These dogs tend to be herding breeds, and the stare helps them intimidate livestock. So, when you combine that with a dog who might be a touch more nervous or prone to anxiety, may read that stare as a threat – because that’s what it was intended as. This one is a selective breeding thing, and only really become more apparent as these dogs transitioned from working dogs to
Examples: Border collie,
2 – Untrained Dogs
Because they’re untrained, and their human isn’t advocating for them as they should be, they’re likely they’ve never been socialised properly – or worse have a faulty idea of what socialisation actually is.
Consequently, these dogs who don’t, won’t, or haven’t been taught to listen become a huge threat, you have a person behind them yelling, and a dog approaching in an incredibly direct manner.
Example: Any dog.
3 – Running dogs
Running dogs, especially excited running dogs approach fast, and quickly narrow down your reactive dog’s choice to fight, or flee.
Normally, a reactive dog’s response to any threat is fight. So, it happens very quickly.
Note: this is often made worse by the fact that running dogs may not be looking at your reactive dog, and may be taking a very direct path, after, say, a ball.
4 – Playful dogs
Dogs who really want to play are a kicker. Because even though they have good intentions, they can be very intense about their want to play. That may lead them to ignore social cues, and be overly persistent.
For your reactive dog, the ignoring of a subtle sign gives them no indication that this dog is a dog to be trusted, and can cause them to escalate their behaviour.
It very quickly then becomes a learned response that playful dogs don’t want good things, and hones a negative response.
5 – Rude Dogs
Rude dogs may not be swearing like this poodle, but, they are dogs who may have minimal politeness in communication. They might be too bullish, they might be a little too direct or ignore social cues.
Similar to the playful dog, this tends to mean that your reactive dog can look at these dogs and read “This dog is a threat”.
6 – Chest Proud Dogs
Some breeds have been bred to have a natural, very forward stance, be broad-chested, and to lean into their build. This is often referred to as being “Chest proud”.
Aesthetically, to us humans, this can look great! But in dog body language, this can be read as a threat. So, when your reactive dog sees a chest proud dog, they can read this dog to be a threat — when they’re not.
Examples: Akitas, Boxers, German Shepherds, Huskies, Bully breeds
7 – Fluffy Dogs or those with unusual coats
This again comes down to the ability to read the dog.
Think about talking with another person. If you can see their face, you can tell whether their tone is humourous, or perhaps sarcastic. However, if you now talk to that person under a sheet, would it be so easy to tell their meaning from just the tone of their voice?
It’s easy to see that these dogs can become problematic for an uncertain dog.
Example: Tibetan Mastiff, Komondor, Old English Sheepdog, Portuguese water dog, bearded collie, Some doodle breeds
8 – Brachycephalic (flat faced) breeds
We’ve bred a lot of these breeds to look “cute” but their snuffly face inhibits their ability to communicate – especially when we consider that the wrinkles could easily look like a snarling face, and then when coupled with the noises these dogs make? It would be easy to assume this dog doesn’t mean well.
Examples: English bulldogs, boxer dogs, pugs, frenchies, Bostons
9 – High Energy Dogs
Some dogs are naturally higher energy dogs, I’d call them scatty, they’re here, they’re there, and then they’re over there! And they’re running like crazy puppers!
Typically, this is a cute thing to see, but, when you see it through the eyes of your reactive dog who’s not sure what’s going on, and instinctively has lower trust of other dogs, this dog begins to look like, I would imagine, how we see a nervous, twitchy addict. They’re not predictable, and consequently, they make us feel unnerved.
This is what your reactive dogs sees. Erratic movement, lack of predictability,
Examples: Spaniels, Boxers,
10 – Black Dogs
Because dog’s eyesight comes in a scale from blue to yellow, a black coat can create a certain same-ness that we can conclude creates problems for a dog’s eyes – I mean – it’s common that a black dog doesn’t even photograph well unless the light conditions are just right, it’s not a shock that our dogs can find it difficult to see the details of their face.
Examples: Black Labs, Black Newfoundlands, Black German Shepherds,
And Of Course, Other Reactive Dogs
Any time two reactive dogs cross paths, this is always a pretty obvious situation that is going to trigger your reactive dog. Even if it’s a low level reactivity in the other dog, a bark, or a look could be just enough to start off both dogs!
Being A Reactive Dog Parent Can Be Tough
But you can train a reactive dog. They can be given the tools to live with the world around them.
Knowing information like this is just a small part of how to help your reactive dog to live peacefully in this world. The whole experience is a tough one, it’s emotionally draining, but you can do it.
If you need support in this? That’s what I’m here for. Reach out and let’s create a plan for you and for your reactive dog to get them through this.
Author, Ali Smith
Ali Smith is a professional, qualified, and multi-award winning trainer is the founder of rebarkable. She has always believed animals deserve kindness and champions force free methods. Believing that dog guardians will all choose the kindest options if proper information is provided, she aims to help all dog guardians who need it and make dog training as accessible as possible
Ali lives win Maryland, US with her husband and her three dogs.
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