Why Is My Dog Reactive To Other Dogs?
Dogs are typically reactive, not because they are angry, but because they are scared, overwhelmed, or unable to fully cope with the situation or dog in front of them.
Reactivity is a strong emotional response, but with the right preparation and environment, you can help your reactive dog cope around other dogs, at their own pace and in a way that feels safe for everyone.
In this blog, we will explore why your dog might be reactive, some early warning signs, how to manage encounters safely, and how to follow up for long-term change.
Reasons for Reactivity To Other Dogs?
Reactivity often looks like aggression, and it is easy to confuse the two. A reactive dog is having an emotional response, and other dogs are one of the most common triggers.
For many dogs, fear and anxiety are the core emotions bringing on the behaviour. Another dog’s size, movement, or energy can feel unfamiliar or upsetting to a dog in a way humans may never identify. Barking or growling is simply your dog's way of trying to create distance from whatever the triggering thing is.
Some dogs may react because they are overstimulated, rather than being afraid. A busy environment, with unknown smells, sights, sounds, and so on, can overwhelm a dog quickly, and once this happens, it can be hard to calm them.
Frustration can contribute too, especially when being held back on a lead. Often, a dog that is eager to greet another dog, while being held back on a lead, will bark, jump, and pull. Sometimes we interpret this as a sign of happiness and excitement, but it can seem aggressive in other situations.
Early Warning Signs
Reactive behaviour will often be foreshadowed by warning signs. A dog will usually build up these signs before a reactive episode occurs. Watching for the signs and reacting before the situation escalates is the best course of action.
Early warning signs might include:
- Lip-licking
- Inability to focus
- Ears pinned back
- Yawning out of context
As this escalates, you may begin to see
- Refusal to take treats
- Staring
-
Moving away
On the other end of the spectrum, a dog making a beeline for another dog, potentially pulling on the lead, may not be happy to see them; it may be a sign they are becoming overwhelmed, and they may become reactive once they are close.
It is worth bearing in mind your dog's history when reading these signals. Puppies who did not have calm, positive experiences with other dogs during their development can grow up seeing other dogs as confusing or scary, even though they have not had a directly negative experience.
If your dog needs a little extra help staying calm before visitors or dogs arrive, our Hush Muffs are designed to take the edge off sound sensitivity, so nerves don’t build before you’ve even left the house.
How to Stop Your Dog Being Reactive to Other Dogs
There isn’t an instant fix, but you can stop your dog being reactive to other dogs over time with a consistent management plan. Forcing two reactive dogs to meet isn’t the path forward. It’s unlikely to help and risks making things worse for both dogs. Instead, manage the distance between them; don’t close it right away.
Step 1: Keep Your Distance
If you see another dog approaching, calmly change direction, cross a road, or move behind an object to break the sightline. The goal is not to close the gap, but to keep enough distance that your dog never feels the compulsion to react in the first place.
Step 2: Walk Together, But Separately
When you are ready to acclimatise your dog, you should walk in parallel with the other dog, with both handlers in between, separating them. This way, the dogs get used to being near one another without any direct contact.
Both owners should walk in the same direction, at a distance wide enough that neither dog reacts. There should be no greeting, no off-lead contact, regardless of how settled the dogs seem. This process should be repeated over several walks.
Step 3: Redirection, Not Force
If your dog does react, redirect their attention right away. Recall them, change direction, and pull their focus away from the trigger. This is not about rewarding calm behaviour; it is about giving your dog something else to focus on and moving them out of the situation before it escalates.
Step 4: Know When to Walk Away
If your dog can’t seem to settle with another dog or dogs around, or if anyone is feeling unsafe, it is advised to walk away. Some dogs may need shorter, low-pressure walks before they become more comfortable around other dogs. This is normal and all part of the process.
Building Consistency Over Time
Once you’ve had a calmer walk, that is not the end of the journey; there’s still work to do. You should avoid raising your voice at your dog during a reactive episode; this could increase their worry rather than resolve it.
A calm and predictable home environment can also help. If noise and visitors tend to unsettle your dog, you may want to consider creating a safe space in your home. You can read our safe space creation guide for full details.
Progress is rarely straightforward, and it might seem as though you are taking two steps forward and one step back, but every calm walk moves you both in the right direction.
A Calmer, Happier Dog
Reactivity is rarely simple ‘bad behaviour’; it is a dog struggling to cope with something in the moment, whether that's fear, overstimulation, or frustration. With patient management, careful distance, and consistency over time, most dogs can learn to cope more comfortably around other dogs.
Every dog's journey will be different, and reactivity will look different for them, but there are plenty of tools that can support you. Our range of calming products is designed to give anxious dogs a little extra support.
Shop now and find our range of products for anxious dogs.
