Although living with a dog is often believed to benefit people’s physical and mental health, the same may not be true for guardians of dogs with behavioral concerns. For example, “reactive dogs” respond strongly to certain triggers in the environment (e.g., loud noises or other animals), causing them emotional stress. Typically it’s considered a behavioral issue, but their heightened stress may also lead to health problems. Research suggests that reactive dogs may be at higher risk of getting surrendered or euthanized than other dogs. 

This study examines the experiences of guardians of reactive dogs. The authors aimed to identify some of the common themes in their experiences and to suggest solutions for some of the challenges they face. They surveyed 37 people in the U.K. who said they live with reactive dogs. These guardians were asked to describe the situations that cause their animals to react, how they manage their dog’s reactivity, how it makes them feel, and more.

In many cases, guardians didn’t know about their dog’s reactivity when adopting them, or it developed over time. Participants described aggressive behavior such as barking and lunging in response to other dogs, people, or cars. They believed their dog behaved this way because of stress, fear, or frustration. Other dogs approaching off-leash was a common trigger. 

The authors identified five common themes in the responses, discussed below.

Lack Of Understanding

Participants felt that other people, especially those with non-reactive dogs, did not understand reactive dog behavior and what to do when approaching their dog. For instance, respondents complained when other dog guardians let their dogs approach off-leash and assume it’s okay. If a negative interaction occurs, they feel the blame is placed on them instead of the other guardian.

Participants also described feeling unfairly judged and that their dog was seen as badly behaved, unfriendly, or dangerous, when conflicts could have been avoided with better communication. And yet, there was a sense that asking another guardian to put their dog on a leash was uncomfortable and went against social norms. Furthermore, many people said that using signals (e.g., neon vests or signs labeling their dogs as nervous) weren’t always effective. 

Controlling The Situation

Some guardians described planning around their reactive dogs, such as choosing early times, paying to use secluded walking areas, and always looking out for potential triggers. This requires a lot of effort, and yet guardians felt that bad experiences could still happen beyond their control.

Learning And Progress

Despite their challenges, participants also described trying to understand their dogs and improve training methods. For example, positive reinforcement was cited as a helpful method for at least a few participants. In general, guardians reported ways that they set their dog up for success and learned to advocate for them, which some felt was helpful for strengthening their bond.

Being A Protective Guardian

Some guardians felt responsible for protecting their dog as well as other people and dogs that come in contact with them. Many of the respondents had rescue dogs, and they either knew or wondered whether their dog might have experienced trauma in the past, leading to the reactive behavior.

Emotions

Finally, participants described feeling both positive and negative emotions about their experiences. For example, guardians expressed pride in their dog’s progress over time. But negative emotions also came up, including stress and anxiety. 

The authors argue that the negative feelings these guardians experience challenge the idea that being a dog guardian is always enjoyable and good for stress management. Additionally, they point out that reactive dog guardians likely experience more social isolation and loneliness than other guardians, given their need to avoid certain triggers (often other people and animals). 

What Can Advocates Do To Help?

While this research reveals helpful insights for animal advocates and dog guardians more broadly, it’s important to note that the study relied on a small group of 37 guardians (mostly women) who were recruited via social media. As such, their views don’t necessarily reflect the opinions and experiences of everyone who lives with a reactive dog.  

Nevertheless, the authors suggest several ways to ease the burden for reactive dogs and their guardians. For example, it’s important to make the public aware of how to approach and interact with reactive dogs, especially non-reactive dog guardians who may think all dogs are the same as theirs. What’s more, companion animals are often recommended as a way to ease stress and loneliness for older and/or vulnerable people. However, it’s important for experts to match the needs of prospective adopters with their dogs to make sure the relationship will be a good fit.

Finally, the authors also found that living with a reactive dog can come with additional costs of training, supplies (such as special harnesses), and the investment of time to work with the dog’s behavior. Accessing these resources may be more challenging for people facing financial struggles and other burdens, so advocates can work to make them available to marginalized communities.