Hi!
I was wondering if you can recommend an online training for handling reactive dogs.
I have encountered in my years of sitting some times a dog who the owners said they were the best, and then, they were reactive when walking with them.
And as I saw in the forum, I am not the only one.
I have the feeling I am missing tools to handle the situation for me and for them.
Or is there a resource in Trust sitters?
Thank you so much!
Best
Sara
It’s about acting confident and more importantly BEING confident… dogs know when you aren’t.
Don’t know where you are, but we have a great trainer in the UK called Graeme Hall (AKA the dogfather), no matter what the problem.
No idea if the below will help with your problem in general, but just type reactive into this particular channels search box, and others will show up to help.
The challenge is, as a sitter, you’re only with the dog for a short time. Reactivity takes time, patience, and consistency to solve. As a sitter, you would want tools to manage the situation in the near term. I don’t know of any training that discusses this, but it would certainly be a good topic for one.
As far as how to manage a reactive dog while sitting, the main thing you can do is put distance between the dog and the trigger. If the trigger is another dog, that may mean crossing the street, or turning around to move away. Walking the dog in the early morning or at night can help as well as less people are out (as long as it’s a safe area to do so).
There is a book called Control Unleashed. While not specific to reactivity, the author introduces pattern games to help reactive dogs anticipate something pleasant vs scanning the environment for triggers. For example one pattern game is the 1-2-3 game. You start by saying “3” and tossing a treat in the ground. The dog eats the treat and looks back at you, say “3” again and toss the treat. After a few rounds, say"2" but don’t offer a treat, then say “3” and offer the treat. Then say"1,2" and don’t offer a treat, followed by “3” and offer a treat. While on a walk, start counting out slowly “1,2,3” and offer a treat on “3”. This plays into a dog’s natural ability to anticipate, so the dog becomes focused on listening for the “3”. You don’t have to do this the entire walk, but a few minutes here and there. Make sure the treat offered for “3” is very high value (real chicken pieces or cheese) and then if you see a trigger up ahead, put some distance if possible and start playing the 1,2,3 game to get the dog focused on the game of listening for the “3”.
There are other games, like Look at That, but they take a few days to introduce properly. Anyway, it is an interesting book and I do recommend it.
Hi! indeed, confidence is a big one and dogs know everything 
I am based on Mallorca, however, I will look into Graeme Hall, thank you so much for the recomendation!
Good morning!
Thank you so much for your answer, and yes, it would be an interesting topic for a training, if it does not exist.
As you point out so perfectly, the issue is the time with the dog, as being limited. If not enough information is provided, it is difficult (at least for me) to get to know the dog’s personality in a week’s time (or days).
Walking earlier in the morning or outside busy times really makes a change and not only for reactive dogs. As I am always also looking for other dogs that might not be as friendly as the one I am at the moment. That is the moment were in some cities, I am missing more green spaces (another topic LOL).
I will get the book and read it, thank you so much for the recommendation! That is super helpful! And I had read about activating their nervous system by sniffing in front of a trigger and I was looking for more information that could be applied there. The pattern game you suggest aligns totally with that, thank you so much!
My answer may not directly address your question, but it might offer a solution to your problem. I hope that is okay.
We have looked after several reactive dogs and watched YouTube tutorials to learn which approaches might help. Fortunately, there is a wealth of information available on this subject.
Along the way, we also discovered a few things through experience and advice from a dear friend. When a dog reacts strongly, behaves aggressively, or lowers its body while whining in a high tone, it is often acting out of fear.
What works for us is paying close attention to the dog’s needs and preferences, including whether, when, and how it likes to be cuddled. Affectionate contact can promote the release of oxytocin in both humans and animals, helping to create a sense of safety. However, it should never be forced.
We also reward calm and responsive behaviour with treats. For example, we give treats when the dog walks calmly on the leash, comes when called, or sits before going outside.
Building trust takes time, and there is a significant difference between looking after a dog for a short period and caring for one over a longer period. In our experience, predictable behaviour from the pet sitter, affection when the dog welcomes it, and rewards for calm and responsive behaviour work best.
Last but not least, try to find ways to enjoy the dog’s company and preferably to genuinely care for the dog. Dogs are often highly sensitive to human emotions. If you are only doing this temporarily and are perhaps afraid of dogs yourself, that may be something you need to acknowledge and work on as well.
Dear Emily,
thank you very much for your response, and yes it helps me to confirm I am doing the right things and asking the right questions.
One of the things I always loved from animals (and dogs particularly) is how much I learn with and from them.
I usually feel more comfortable and confident with them as with most people.
I am becoming more and more aware what a huge difference it is, to have your own dog/friends dogs as to be dogsitting for a short period of time.
I enjoy it from the first moment and that is why I wish to continue doing it.
And as I was reading the dogs profiles in the last weeks, I noticed how many owners were describing their dogs as reactive and they apologized for that.
I also know cases where it was not informed and I handled it. But I started asking myself, what I could do more/better to be a good dogsitter for them, no matter what.
Dogs give me so much and I wish to give it back to them, that they feel safe with me and that I can be their best “temporary owner” possible.
I now realize that the way I wrote the message may have sounded like I lack confidence and I was afraid, which is not the case.
I guess it is more an over-responsability feeling that was activated in me, and of course, I will continue working on it.
Thank you for your time and recommendations, I really appreciate the insights you all gave me.
Take care
Best Wishes
Sara