Absolute Dogs supports people worldwide on their dog training journeys. The training experts emphasise that all dogs are reactive, not just the dogs who overreact. Every dog responds to situations around them. Therefore, it’s how they react, rather than whether they react, that’s important.
Although all dogs are reactive, owners and trainers may brand dogs who react disproportionately to stimuli as “reactive” compared to others. “Reactive” dogs respond excessively to common stimuli that other dogs don’t react as much to, such as other dogs, people, and cars.
While these dogs aren’t always aggressive, reactivity can turn into aggression. Therefore, training to help dogs overcome reactivity is crucial.
The good news is that it is possible to reprogramme a dog’s brain so they don’t overreact to stimuli. The ability to reorganise synaptic connections in the brain is called neuroplasticity, and this is possible in both humans and animals.
The Problematic “Reactive Dog” Label
Some trainers have called their clients’ dogs “reactive” for years. They may even have told these clients that their dogs will be reactive for the rest of their lives. These dog owners may believe that their only option is to manage their dog’s reactivity.
Absolute Dogs explains that this is never true. It may take some dogs longer than others, but all dogs can learn new behaviours.
It’s Normal for All Dogs to React
When a dog reacts to a stimulus, their owner may be unsure how to help the dog change this reaction next time. They may worry that they’re causing the problem. They may question why this cycle keeps happening to them.
Absolute Dogs reminds owners that it’s normal for dogs to react. Even the calmest, most well-behaved dogs react excessively in certain circumstances and environments. Like humans, all sorts of factors can trigger them.
Dogs usually react because they’re scared, not because they’re aggressive. While some dogs withdraw when frightened, others react outwardly. A dog may react in ways they haven’t before if they feel startled, overstimulated, unwell, in pain, or threatened.
Dogs may also exhibit signs of distress that the owner misses before they pick up on a bigger signal. Absolute Dogs finds that this happens often.
It’s not an owner’s fault when a dog reacts. They react because of the pathways in their brain. However, staying relaxed in potentially stimulating situations can help your dog stay calm.
For example, if you’re out on a walk and another dog approaches, you might find yourself tensing up and pulling on the lead. Your dog will feel your tension, and this can make them believe there is something to worry about. Staying relaxed and calm is a great first step when helping dogs overcome reactivity, but your dog will need training too.
What To Do When Your Dog Reacts
Your dog’s stress hormones spike when they react, and they may find other situations difficult to manage for another 72 hours. Give them time to decompress, and supply them with frozen treats and chews to help them get back to their normal state.
Moving forward, you can do some training to familiarise your dog with difficult stimuli. These three Absolute Dogs training provisions are great starting points.
1. The Unpredictable Dog Playbook
The free Unpredictable Dog Playbook helps owners understand why their dogs exhibit certain behaviours. The playbook explains the interaction chain of events that dogs experience when they find themselves in unexpected situations. Every stage in this chain can trigger a dog’s reactions.
This playbook empowers you to arm yourself with the knowledge you need to help your dog reprogramme their reactions.
2. The Absolute Confidence Course
The Absolute Confidence Course helps owners prepare their dogs for real-world situations. Packed with games and strategies, this confidence-boosting course is for dogs who find the outside world overwhelming or scary.
These dogs may hear certain sounds and become upset. They may encounter other dogs or people and become worried. They may become easily frustrated when they can’t engage with you, other dogs, or objects.
Meanwhile, owners may feel they have lost control of their dogs in these challenging situations. They may be unsure why their dog is reacting or what they can do to help.
The Absolute Confidence Course focuses on two core areas: optimism and expectations. Those taking the course learn how to build their dog’s confidence in various situations and across all life stages using different techniques. As their dog becomes more confident, they too will become more confident as an owner.
The course, which features 22 revolutionary training games, is for dogs of all breeds and ages. Participants don’t need any special equipment, and they can access the course on a computer or mobile device.
The course is £147 for unlimited, lifetime access.
3. The Naughty But Nice Core Programme
Absolute Dogs refers to dogs that bark, lunge, growl, and struggle to settle as Naughty But Nice dogs. The Naughty But Nice Core Programme shows owners how to teach these dogs the skills they need to overcome challenging behaviours.
This mini course is full of fun three-minute games that make training simple and easy. Participants can also access the course on a computer or mobile device. The course is £147 for unlimited, lifetime access.
Lauren Langman, one of the brains behind Absolute Dogs, also runs Naughty But Nice Retreats with her Devon Dogs expert training team. Dogs and owners from across the UK visit the Bowerland Holiday Cottages site in Okehampton for this retreat, where participants introduce their dogs to games and training strategies in several environments.
Owners practise with Devon Dogs’ team of calm, confident dogs and transfer their learnings as they train their own dogs. They come home with a plan to keep their training efforts up over time.
About Absolute Dogs
Absolute Dogs offers a suite of game-based training online solutions that help dogs and their owners build key skills and confidence. All games focus on the reasons why a dog is behaving in a certain way and encourage owners to reward their dogs as they make progress.
Dog owners will find a wealth of support on the Absolute Dogs website, from the Sexier Than a Squirrel podcast to numerous free videos with training advice.
Absolute Dogs also offers industry-leading courses like Naughty But Nice and Pro Dog Trainer, which thousands of participants have completed. Pro Dog Trainer course graduates can join the Pro Dog Trainer Club, a monthly membership package that builds on the course.
The company is also famous for its 25-day Sexier Than a Squirrel Challenge and Naughty But Nice Revolution book. On top of this, Absolute Dogs sells a range of high-quality A-OK9 supplements that boost dogs’ health.
Learn more about Absolute Dogs.
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