Whether it's barking whenever the doorbell goes, or lunging at every passerby when you're out on a walk, reactivity is one of the most commonly cited challenges amongst pet parents.
While understanding the causes for reactivity in dogs and learning how to calm a reactive dog can both be incredibly helpful, these things take time, patience, and consistency to get to the bottom of. In amongst all of the training will be times when you simply want to enjoy a walk with your canine companion without any stress.
Thankfully, doggy expert Julianna DeWillems has a really great tip to help put the enjoyment back into those daily walks with your fur friend — and it all comes down to changing up your environment. Check out her Instagram video below where she explains exactly what to do, or read on for a summary of what she had to say.
"If you have a reactive dog who struggles with regular walks, don't underestimate the power of unconventional walking spaces," says DeWillems. "I took my dog to the quiet side of a shopping center for a walk the other day and not only did we not come in contact with a single person, or dog, but she was able to sniff and explore as much as she wanted."
While we often take our dogs to busy places like parks and beaches, DeWillems advises us not to write off other walking spaces which could offer a more enriching experience for your dog and a more relaxed walk for you.
Options she suggests are places like parking lots, empty playgrounds, school grounds after hours, and quiet green spaces. DeWillems also advises considering the following before taking your dog for a walk:
- "How busy is this space? Are there likely to be dogs or people? Checking it out before bringing your dog can be a critical step."
- "What days/times are likely to be quieter?"
- "Are there any rules against bringing dogs to this space?"
- "How can I make sure my use of this space does not negatively impact anyone else? (Pick up poop, don’t let your dog dog holes, etc)."
Dealing with reactivity can be challenging, but as DeWillems has shown, there are ways for you and your dog to enjoy stress-free strolls together. If you require more help with managing your dog's reactivity, we recommend reaching out to a professional trainer for support.
For more great canine content, check out our guide to three of the most common loose leash walking mistakes (and how to fix them).
