In addition, over the years, different dog breeds have been maligned for alleged tendencies toward reactivity or aggression (think of all the negative press about Pit Bulls, an umbrella term used for an entire group of different breeds, over the last couple of decades). Some breeds have been bred for specific purposes, such as hunting or herding, and this can influence their behavior. If your dog’s reactivity is limited to when they’re tethered, this article talks about fixing leash reactivity or leash aggression specifically.Īre certain breeds or types of dogs more likely to be reactive? They love other pets and get frustrated when they aren’t allowed to greet them! That frustration (especially when being held back on a leash) can quickly build into a reactive display. This is common in social dogs who regularly visit dog parks or attend daycare. Frustration-based leash reactivityįrustration-based leash reactivity, on the other hand, stems from a dog wanting to interact with something (a person, another dog, an item) that they can’t. You can read more about fear aggression in this guide. This causes them to display defensive behaviors that can sometimes be interpreted as aggression (even though the root cause is feeling unsafe). Fear-based dog reactivityįear-based dog reactivity is often caused when nervous or uncertain dogs feel trapped in a certain situation. In pet dogs, aggressive behavior on leash can usually be identified as either fear-based leash reactivity or frustration-based leash reactivity. The general consensus is that genetics may play a part in dog reactivity - and it’s also likely a conditioned behavioral response. If a dog is not properly socialized during this time and is observing a parent with reactive behavior, she might become reactive.Īpplied animal behaviorist and author Patricia McConnell writes that dog reactivity can be caused by caused by psychological trauma and compares reactivity to soldiers with PTSD: “Just as a veteran soldier with PTSD can react to a loud noise by throwing herself to the ground, dogs with their alarm systems fixed on HIGH are usually quick to startle to an abrupt noise, or panic when unfamiliar dogs appear.” In a puppy’s early life, especially the first twelve weeks, socialization is critical. However, it’s difficult to say whether this is straightforward genetics, or whether the dog learned this behavior as a puppy by watching his mother. It’s tough to determine what is caused by genetics and what is caused by your dog’s environment, lack of socialization, or potentially traumatic past experiences.įor example, if a dog is born to a mother who is reactive to certain stimuli, he will likely become reactive to the same stimuli. The “nature versus nurture” debate is at play here. According to the AKC, “genetics, lack of proper socialization, or a combination of the two can cause reactivity.” Nature and nurture both play a role in dog reactivity
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