A dog is a man’s best friend, that’s for sure. But, a man has to be the dog’s best friend as well, so as to care for the animal properly a...
A dog is a man’s best friend, that’s for sure. But, a man has to be the dog’s best friend as well, so as to care for the animal properly and make sure it is healthy and happy. Having a pet is amazing and fun, and your days are bound to be filled with love, but we cannot deny the fact that it is also a huge responsibility and that you shouldn’t do it if you are not ready to commit and to put the necessary effort into caring for your four legged companion.
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Now, there is no doubt that you are devoted to your pet and that you are ready to do everything you can for it to be healthy and happy. Sometimes, however, you may find yourself a bit confused and unsure of what to do. For example, if you notice certain behaviors that aren’t exactly appropriate for the situation and emotional reactions that aren’t proportionate to the stimuli your pet is facing, you are bound to get worried. As well as possibly confused and unsure of what to do about it.
The problem I have briefly presented above is known as canine reactivity and it is not at all unusual. A lot of dog owners struggle with this issue, which can turn their daily walks into nightmares, given that their pet overreacts to stimuli that come its way. It may react negatively to other animals or people, but sometimes it may also be triggered by a particular environment, such as a crowded one, or by noises. Whatever the triggers, if you’ve noticed behavior like this in your animal, you should definitely assume that you have a problem.
The good news is that most canine behavior problems can be resolved. You just have to know what to do and how to approach the specific issue. Always keep in mind that your pet is reacting that way most likely out of fear, and that the fear is the deeper reason that has to be resolved. Anyway, chances are that you won’t know how to do all of that alone, which means that involving professional trainers is a must, but we will talk about that a bit later. For now, you may want to get more info on what to do to help your reactive pet.
What to Do When You Have a Reactive Dog?
So, what should you do when you have a reactive dog? As I’ve mentioned already, the most significant step to take is to hire professionals and let them handle the problem, resolving it successfully thanks to their expertise and knowledge. But, this doesn’t mean that there is nothing you can do, both before you hire the trainers and during the training program itself, until the problem is completely resolved. In the simplest words possible, there are some steps you can take so as to manage and reduce reactivity, and I am now going to tell you about those, hoping to help you make progress with your reactive pet.
First off, you should do your best to identify your pet’s triggers, and then avoid them whenever possible. Every canine is different, meaning that different things can trigger them. But, there are some common ones that you should be on the lookout for, such as other people, other dogs, loud noises and similar things. In any case, the point is in identifying the triggers, so that you can then stay clear of them, at least until your pet has learned how to regulate itself and remain calm – that is, until it stops being reactive.
Furthermore, what you can do when you are not sure you can avoid the triggers is try to divert your animal’s attention. For instance, if you are in a park, and you notice another dog coming towards you, calling your pet to follow you into a different direction, or making it focus on the behaviors and commands, you may be trying to teach it, such as “sit” and similar ones, can help you avoid a crisis, so to speak. When your pet is focused on something else, it may not react so negatively to the stimuli, as it may not even notice them.
Of course, you won’t be able to avoid other people and other animals all the time. What you should try to do, however, is slowly start introducing your dog to other dogs, or to other people, one at a time. Perhaps find a park that is not crowded and where you can meet with other dog owners that would be willing to help your pet practice socializing without reacting negatively.
How to Find a Good Trainer in Philadelphia?
As explained already, though, reactivity is highly unlikely to be resolved if you don’t work with a trainer. So, the single most significant thing to do is find a good trainer in Philadelphia to help you resolve this behavioral problem. How can you, though, do that?
Well, for one thing, you can search for these experts online, as you’re bound to find their websites. Then, when you visit Sit Means Sit and those similar websites, what you should do is take time to get some important information about the professionals you’ll find there. Check if they have experience with reactive canines, check how long they have been in business, and remember to also learn a bit more about their training approaches and methods.
Of course, you should remember to read reviews written about those trainers you are thinking of hiring, so as to see what their previous clients have to say. This way, you’ll make sure to choose reliable and trustworthy professionals that will treat your dog kindly, as well as successfully resolve their reactivity problem. And, finally, you should get in touch with a few of those pros you’re considering, aiming at checking their availability and their prices, after which you should compare all the info you’ve found and make your final hiring decision.
