🐾 Causes of Triggers & Reactivity in Dogs

• Lack of socialisation
  Limited exposure to people, dogs, or environments when young
• Past negative experiences
  Fear linked to a previous scare, trauma, or pain
• Genetics & temperament
  Some dogs are naturally more sensitive or alert
• Overstimulation
  Busy parks, loud noises, or too much happening at once
• Frustration
  Being on lead, unable to reach dogs/people, or restricted movement
• Pain or discomfort
  Hidden injuries or health issues can lower tolerance
• Protective behaviour
  Guarding owners, home, or resources

🔶 Fear-Based Reactivity

Dogs react because they feel unsafe or threatened

• Triggered by strangers, dogs, noises, or environments
• Often includes barking, lunging, or محاولة to escape
• Root cause = fear, not aggression

👉 Goal: Build confidence + create distance

🔶 Barrier Frustration

When a dog can’t reach something they want

• Common on leads, behind fences, or in cars
• Barking/lunging = frustration, not aggression
• Often seen in social or high-energy dogs

👉 Goal: Teach calm behaviour + impulse control

🔶 Overexcitement

Too much stimulation = loss of control

• Dogs struggle to regulate emotions
• Jumping, barking, pulling, spinning
• Often mistaken for “bad behaviour”

👉 Goal: Calmness training + structured outlets

🔶 Prey Drive & Chase Instinct

Natural instinct kicks in

• Triggered by bikes, runners, small animals
• Fast movement = instant reaction
• Not fear-based—instinct-driven

👉 Goal: Redirection + strong recall training

🔶 Pain or Discomfort

• Sudden reactivity can signal hidden pain
• Lower tolerance = quicker reactions
  👉 Always worth a vet check

🔶 Lack of Socialisation

• Limited early exposure = uncertainty later
• New things feel overwhelming
  👉 Slow, positive exposure is key

🔶 Learned Behaviour

• Behaviour that has “worked” before
• Barking makes things go away = reinforced
  👉 Training changes the outcome

💡 Dog Lovers Wigan Tip

Reactivity isn’t “bad behaviour” — it’s communication.
Understanding the why is the first step to helping your dog feel safe.

A sharable info sheet is here: copy paste it.