As one of the largest cities in the state of Florida, Orlando has a healthy population and not just humans alone. The city is one of the most pet-friendly in the country, second only to San Francisco, California. It therefore is only normal to see all types of dogs and trainers around town. With this high number in the city, it’s expected that there will equally be a considerable number of reactive dogs in the mix.
If you have one, you already know handling it is a lot of work. But all hope is not lost if you find a suitable trainer in Orlando; the same applies in any city where you live with your canine friend. So how do you choose the right one? Let’s provide some insight to help you make an informed decision.
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Look for Compassion
One of the first things to look for in a trainer is compassion. While they are there to do a job, it’s important that they understand what the dog is going through and handle it gently. They must not be harsh or loud but must be gentle yet firm.
Dogs know when you’re too soft and may play into that weakness; that’s why firmness is crucial. For example, they must know when sit means sit without becoming afraid. Compassion is especially essential in the first few days of working with the dog because it has to get used to the trainer and it helps to make the canine comfortable with the new face.
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Ask About Their Experience
Another important factor is experience. The trainer must have the experience to handle reactive dogs and not only canines in general. They should have an online presence so it’s easy to check and verify information, such as their credentials and success stories.
If they came through recommendations or referrals, ask those who recommended them about their experience. Read online reviews; they will tell you how long they have been in the business and how successful they are.
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Understand the Certifications
Having the right certificates is pointless without hands-on training but it still helps to know your dog’s trainer knows the theory of what they practice. Ask your vet to guide you in selecting the right person based on their certifications.
Look for those who belong to the International Association of Animal Behaviour Consultants (IAABC) and the Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT). They should also have some or all of these qualifications: KPA, VSPDT, CTP, PMCT, CTC, and VSA-CDT.
4. Excellent Management Skills
As mentioned, the environment may be one of the biggest triggers, so a good trainer must teach you how to manage the environment to suit the canine. It might be the presence of certain people or the smell of a particular food.
The trainer should point out what to look out for and help you handle the dog when these things happen to reduce its reaction. They must also teach you how to create the right physical environment to soothe the dog and how to build the right relationship so that it trusts you to protect it when fear comes. Click here to learn more about managing a reactive dog.
What Is a Reactive Dog?
If you’re not familiar with pets, it’s easy to get confused by the term. But the name is explanatory – a reactive dog is one that is easily triggered by external stimuli, no matter how small. It will growl, bark and even lunge at anything if that object or person upsets it.
In simple terms, it is usually afraid or fearful of anything or everything. Reactive dogs are impulsive since anything can trigger them, making them challenging to control. You may have a hard time getting them to leave a place that triggers them, which makes it almost impossible to take them out with you.
How to Identify a Reactive Dog
Someone who is unfamiliar with the body language of dogs may confuse a reactive one with an unruly or aggressive canine. In a bid to protect itself from or scare away whatever it is afraid of, the former may become aggressive and uncontrollable, which you typically see in dogs without any training or aggressive ones.
However, that’s not always the case; there are key signs to help you know if your furry friend is a reactive dog. One of the first things you notice is constant vigilance. If your dog is always looking around and is tense or alert, there’s a problem. That means it never relaxes and you can read this body language if you pay attention.
Another sign is constant lunging at things you don’t see or objects you can see. You may also notice it’s whining and moving about restlessly. Sometimes, it hunches as if trying to protect itself from an unseen attacker.
An inability to focus can also draw your attention to what your dog is going through. These are some signs that may indicate you have a reactive dog, although the list is not exhaustive.
Why Does a Dog Become Reactive?
Since reactivity is usually based on fear, it should inform you about what could be triggering such a behavior. Most dogs that are born in homes or bought as puppies may not be reactive, especially if they have a loving environment.
However, if it is from a pound or from the streets, its past life may indicate what is driving the behavior. Even puppies can exhibit reactivity to the smallest things if they are from the streets or a difficult home.
Apart from terrible past experiences, poor socialization can also make a dog extremely reactive or excitable by external stimuli. A dog that has little or no interaction with other dogs or people will react in different ways when thrust into a crowd or out in the open. It may pull back and growl in fear, jump around, lunge at everything, or pull on the leash as it tries to run away.
They are all typical reactions in a canine that has no socialization. A poorly trained dog can also react to everything, which is why hiring the right trainer is important. Finally, certain environments push its insecurities or excite it, but it all depends on past experiences.
In a few instances, a genetic predisposition can make a dog reactive. For example, a natural herder may develop tendencies that sway to the extreme, making it morbidly fearful. Breeds with a herding disposition include the Old English Sheepdog, Australian Cattle Dog, German Shepherd, and Bearded Collie.
This resource has more information about why dogs become reactive: https://www.vet.cornell.edu/ .
Note: Not all forms of reactivity are indicative of fear in a dog. Some dogs are naturally excitable and can run around, lunge, jump, and bark in excitement when they see something they like. It’s your responsibility to learn the differences in behavior so you can correctly determine when to step in to help or leave the dog to express its excitement.
Conclusion
Hiring the right trainer can make all the difference in how well your reactive dog begins to respond to stimuli. Management has its place but proper training is crucial. Therefore, look for the right credentials, experience, and compassion before selecting. Reading reviews and getting testimonials will help you make the best decision.