"Do I Have A Reactive Dog?"

There are any number of things that get my dog going…men wearing hats, people dressed in black clothes, screaming kids flailing their arms, etc. Is there hope for my dog?

Yes, there is! We can put into place a lifestyle program for you and your dog which will manage his behavior, reduce stress, and teach him default behaviors which you and he can use while out in public. Teaching these behaviors will help you and your dog to build a working relationship based on trust. Your dog will learn to trust that you will take care of him and that if he pays attention to you, no harm will come to him. Of course, that means that you really do need to ensure that bad things don't happen to him! These changes don't happen quickly, but once you start to see a change in your dog, working with him becomes so fulfilling that it often becomes addicting!

How does food influence my dog’s behavior?

Any food which taxes your dog's immune system should be avoided. Feed your dog a diet which includes high quality whole meats, multiple sources of protein, and easily identifiable fat sources (i.e., chicken fat as opposed to poultry fat). Avoid, at all costs, the use of corn, wheat and soy in your dog's food. These foods are difficult for a dog's short digestive tract to process, and are often low quality fillers, full of pesticides and molds. Also, avoid artificial flavors, colors and preservatives, as well as sugars. Find a food which includes fruits, vegetables and probiotics.

Most pet food manufacturers are jumping on the bandwagon and producing foods which follow these guidelines, so the availability of such foods is rapidly increasing. These foods will provide nutrition in the most usable form, and give the dog the best possible combination of vitamins and minerals. Poor quality foods can tamper with a dog's blood sugar level, create irritability, gastric irritation, and other physical complaints which make learning difficult to impossible. If you are interested in feeding home-cooked meals or raw food to your dog, make sure you do lots of research first.

I surprised my dog and he bit me. Is he aggressive, fearful or reactive? What should I do? (By the way, it's not the first time it happened but I really love my dog.)

I need to know more about the circumstances in which these episodes are taking place. Private consultations are necessary to make sure we are following the right plan for your dog. The longer these behaviors occur, the more difficult it is to make positive changes. At the very least, you and your dog would benefit from building your working relationship. But there could be much more serious issues going on; in addition to scheduling an appointment with me, make an appointment with your veterinarian to rule out a medical condition, such as deafness, ear infections, arthritis, hip dysplasia, epilepsy, etc. I believe that you love your dog; let's do something to help him!

To learn more about Reactive Dogs, read Ali's book, "Scaredy Dog! Understanding & Rehabilitating Your Reactive Dog." Return to the "Scaredy Dog!" book page. Or click here to email Ali about seminars, consultations or classes.