what to do about reactive dog behavior

When your canine companion needs space

Everyone has bad days, even puppies. It’s not uncommon for an otherwise friendly puppy to act aggressively toward another dog, and there are tons of reasons why that might happen. But you definitely want to get to the root of the problem so you can address it and avoid these negative interactions.

A cartoon puppy nervously moves away from another dog

Is your puppy showing aggressive behavior?

It can be upsetting when the puppy you love reacts aggressively, but it’s important to understand why it’s happening. Pups don’t have the same coping strategies that people do when they’re stressed, like a time-out or taking deep breaths. So, when a pup is feeling threatened, anxious, or just off, they’re more likely to act out aggressively in response. And their need for space can vary by day, location, person, or even other dogs.

Why is my puppy reacting this way?

There are numerous reasons why a pup may act out in anger, so you’ll need to watch your pup for possible triggers. Once you know what sets them off, you can work to address that situation.

They don't feel well, and need to see the vet
Recovering from injury or surgery
A painful physical condition, like arthritis
Fear of unfamiliar people or situations
Fear of unfamiliar or rowdy dogs
They are a less-social breed and need thoughtful training

What can you do to help?

Negative or aggressive interactions can traumatize a pup, no matter which side of the interaction they’re on. That’s because animals faced with a threatening situation release stress hormones as a fight or flight response. They’ll then either try to flee (flight) or engage (you guessed it, fight). This reaction may get complicated when a pup is leashed. Because their flight options are limited, a pup that would be fine otherwise may feel more aggressive on the leash. Here are some positive steps you can take:

Obey all leash laws (at all times, everywhere)
Ask permission for your pup to approach another dog
Watch for signs of anxiety, distress, or aggression in your dog
Immediately remove your pup from the situation if you detect negativity
Understand that pups respond differently when they’re leashed and unleashed
Also understand that pups may also respond differently if other dogs are leashed or unleashed