In 2025 we helped more than 90 reactive dogs. If your dog barks, lunges or freezes at other dogs, people or traffic, you're far from alone, and it can change.
What is reactivity?
Reactivity is a dog over-reacting to something it sees, hears or meets, most often other dogs, people or traffic. It's usually driven by fear or frustration, not "bad behaviour", which is why telling a reactive dog off rarely helps. The first job is finding out what's driving it.
Signs your dog may be reactive
- Barking, lunging or growling at dogs or people on walks
- Pulling hard towards, or away from, whatever sets them off
- Freezing, staring or refusing to move
- Struggling to settle in busy places such as cafés or parks
How we help reactive dogs
Every dog is different, so every plan starts with a free phone consultation. Looking back at the reactive dogs in our success stories, the work usually follows the same path:
- A relationship first. With Hank, a nervous Bulldog, we concentrated on building a positive rapport before anything else.
- Foundations in calm places. Lead manners, recall, place work and settling, practised in a controlled setting first.
- Safety. Where a dog is unpredictable, we muzzle-train so they can keep learning safely around people and dogs.
- Gradually busier, real places. Quiet spots first, then busy parks, shopping areas and cafés as the dog copes.
- Handing it over to you. Training only lasts if it works for you, so we show you how to keep it going, with follow-up lessons and WhatsApp support.
Which training suits a reactive dog?
- 1-2-1 dog training if you want to be part of every lesson. Ollie, a senior rescue Weimaraner with multiple triggers, became calm and neutral through tailored 1-2-1 lessons. From £95 a lesson.
- The Mastery Programme for complex or deep-rooted issues such as aggression, resource guarding and reactivity. Your dog lives with us for 4 to 8 weeks, then we hand the training over to you.
What about neutering?
Castration is often suggested as a fix for reactivity. It's rarely the answer on its own: read the truth about neutering reactive dogs before you decide.
Reactive dogs we've helped
- Hank the Bulldog: reactive to people, dogs and cats, from tail tucked to tail held high in three weeks of residential training.
- Chico the German Shepherd: reactive to people and dogs, now off-lead on the beach.
- Ollie the Weimaraner: from biting to calm walks, pub trips and holidays.
In an owner's words
Rosie and Jack brought us Ollie, a senior rescue Weimaraner, after trying several trainers. Rosie wrote:
"He is a senior rescue and was reactive with multiple triggers and now he can go for a calm walk anywhere with no reactions! His quality of life has improved so much which is what I am the most grateful for!"
Talk to us about your dog
The quickest way to know what will help is a free 15-minute phone consultation. Tell us what your dog reacts to, and we'll recommend the right starting point.
Need help with your dog?
1-2-1 Dog Training in York, Pocklington and East Yorkshire, starting with a free phone consultation.
