How to punish a dog for being reactive?
Angelita Bauch
2025-07-20 17:10:04
Count answers
: 10
Unfortunately, the meltdowns themselves and punishing the dog for them only make things worse in the long run. Punishment makes the dog to feel worse about something he’s already worried about. If the dog’s collar is yanked to tell him barking is wrong, the discomfort is associated with more than just the barking. He’s meant to gather, “every time I bark, I feel pain, so maybe I should quit barking,” but he actually learns, “every time I see another dog, I feel this pain in my neck. Now I really hate other dogs because they make my neck hurt!” Punishing a dog is less like precisely cutting out the bad behavior with a scalpel and more like hammering away at it with a sledgehammer—there’s a lot of inescapable collateral damage and contamination.
Tyler Wintheiser
2025-07-20 15:20:11
Count answers
: 13
If your dog feels fearful or anxious around other dogs or people, they may try to hide or get away from them.
They may also approach them using threatening body language to make them move away.
Consistently use reward-based training methods and keep them on a lead when needed.
If you encounter a trigger, calmly move your dog away, avoiding adding extra tension to the lead.
Try luring them away with a tasty treat or favourite toy to play with.
Reward calm behaviour.
Practice focus training to help them pay attention to you.
Learn to recognise your dog's body language, this will help you understand when they're feeling worried or frustrated.
Speak to your vet to rule out any underlying medical conditions.