REACTIVE DOG TRAINING SESSIONS
I particularly enjoy working with reactive dogs because they are often the dogs most at risk of being surrendered or euthanised when owners struggle to manage their behaviour. Helping owners understand and successfully manage their dog’s reactivity can transform both the dog’s quality of life and the relationship they have with their owner.
WHAT IS DOG REACTIVITY?
Dog reactivity is when a dog has an intense emotional response to a particular trigger, such as other dogs, people, bicycles, cars or unfamiliar situations. A reactive dog may bark, lunge, growl, pull on the lead or become highly focused on the trigger, making everyday walks and outings stressful for both dog and owner.
6 SIGNS YOUR DOG MAY BE REACTIVE
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Barking or growling when seeing other dogs, people or specific triggers
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Lunging or pulling strongly towards a trigger while on the lead
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Stiffening or freezing when a particular person, dog or situation appears
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Fixating or staring intensely at a trigger and struggling to disengage
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Excessive barking or frantic behaviour around the home, fence or front door
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Difficulty responding to you once the dog becomes highly aroused or focused
DOG REACTIVITY Vs DOG AGRESSION
Dog reactivity and dog aggression are not necessarily the same thing. Reactivity describes an intense response to a trigger, which can be driven by fear, frustration, excitement or uncertainty, whereas aggression involves behaviour intended to threaten, harm or drive another animal or person away. A reactive dog is not automatically an aggressive dog, but reactive behaviour should be addressed early to prevent it becoming more difficult to manage.
HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT REACTIVITY TRAINING FOR YOUR DOG
In Home Training
Working with your dog in their own environment allows us to address the behaviour where it actually occurs.
If your dog is reactive to environmental triggers, and the behaviour occurs predominantly around your home, an in-home consultation may be the most effective option.
Common in home triggers include visitors arriving at your door, people walking past your property or fence, or other environmental triggers around the home.
Away from Home Training
However, if your dog becomes reactive to other dogs while out walking, we have a specialised program specifically designed for this.
Our highly successful two-trainer reactivity program uses my specially trained dogs to create controlled, real-world training situations. This allows us to work directly on your dog's reactions while carefully managing the environment and level of difficulty. In many cases, you will see a noticeable improvement from the very first session.​
WHAT'S INVOLVED IN A REACTIVE DOG TRAINING SESSION?
Every one-on-one consultation is tailored specifically to you and your dog, focusing on your dog's training needs and reactivity behaviours that are most relevant to your individual situation.
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One-on-one consultation
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Assessment of your dog's behaviour and triggers
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Personalised training recommendations to teach alternative responses
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Practical training exercises to reduce reactivity
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Advice tailored to your home environment
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Clear next steps
WHAT TYPE OF REACTIVE DOG BEHAVIOUR ISSUES DO YOU HELP WITH?
I work with you to give you the knowledge and confidence to train a well-mannered, reliable dog. Reactive dog behavioural issues dealt with include general reactivity, environmental triggers and dog aggression. Good training helps establish good habits so don't wait, book an appointment now.
BOOK AN IN HOME REACTIVE DOG TRAINING SESSION NOW
​​​I am an Australian government-approved, nationally recognised dog trainer using reward-based techniques to foster strong bonds and effective communication between you and your dog.
​My personalised programs are tailor-made to meet your specific needs, delivering proven results that last.
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​Book Now and help turn your dog into a well behaved, happy dog!​
1 hr
From 225 Australian dollars
What Christopher says...
5yr old Whippet with reactivity issues. 1 session with Donal and already seeing massive results. Gave us some great training tips and tricks on how we go about continuing training. ABSOLUTELY recommend if your dog has some behavioural issues you want to iron out.
