Dog Reactivity and Confidence Out and About
Do any of the following apply to you?
- Does your dog pull badly on lead or bark at people or other dogs?
- Is your dog scared – refusing to walk, scared of bangs and traffic, scared in the car?
- Does your dog ignore you when you call him/her?
- Does your dog pick up or eat inappropriate things?
- You can’t take your dog to visit friends/cafe /pub/holiday, but would like to?
I’ve found that of the hundreds of dogs I’ve successfully worked with when out and about, most have been overwhelmed. They may be excited before they go out, all pumped up and adrenaline running. Alternatively, they may be so fearful when trapped on lead that attack is the only form of defence and way out. So, we work to increase confidence in a calmer, less fearful, more stable dog. The outcome is that going out with your dog will be enjoyable, just like you hoped they would be at the beginning.
This is because we work to understand what drives the behaviour so they can enjoy the outside, like they should.
Examples of issues out and about include: Pulling on lead, over-excitement on seeing another dog, barking at other dogs, barking at people, refusing to go out, terrified of bangs or traffic, ignoring you when you call, eating inappropriate things, making socialising impossible.
I’ve found that in most cases, of the hundreds of dogs I’ve worked with when out and about, the dog has been overwhelmed. They may be excited before they go out, all pumped up and adrenaline running. Alternatively, they may be so fearful when trapped on lead that attack is his only form of defence and way out. So, we work to increase confidence in a calmer, less fearful, more stable dog. The outcome is that going out with your dog will be enjoyable, just like you hoped they would be at the beginning.
This is because we work to understand what drives the behaviour so they can enjoy the outside, like they should.
Examples of issues out and about include: Pulling on lead, over- excitement on seeing another dog, barking at other dogs, barking at people, refusing to go out, terrified of bangs or traffic, ignoring you when you call, eating inappropriate things, making socialising impossible.
What causes reactivity or anxiety when dogs are out and about?
Many dogs show reactivity or anxiety out and about because the world contains unpredictable stimuli — other dogs, people, vehicles, noises — that can trigger stress or over-arousal. When a dog’s nervous system perceives these as unpredictable or overwhelming, they can respond with barking, lunging, avoidance, or tension rather than relaxed curiosity. Early experience, lack of structured exposure, and emotional uncertainty can all contribute to heightened responses outside the home. By understanding the emotional roots of these reactions, owners can support dogs with calm expectation-setting, gradual exposure and positive associations. Over time, this balanced approach helps dogs feel safer, more confident and less reactive in the wider world.
The meeting was excellent, it was very informative and also fun, guiding us and pointing us in the right direction, before the meeting I was stressed thinking I had made a great mistake in getting Teddy, but after talking to you I realised that it is a common problem, I felt so relieved, not only for me but for the dogs, they are both enjoying the training as are we.