We’re all familiar with the term “reactivity” as it applies to dog behavior. It’s the dog that loses her mind when she sees another dog – or person, or bicycle or horrible, evil skateboard – and barks, lunges, or otherwise becomes out of control at the end of her leash or behind some other kind of barrier. But what is going on inside the dog that is driving the reactivity? And what does reactivity really mean from a scientific perspective?
This talk will discuss how the term reactivity is conceptualized in science and what the research on this topic can teach us about working with reactive dogs. You’ll come away from the talk with a greater understanding of what drives reactive behavior in dogs, as well as how to address it.
Topics include:
• The definition of reactivity in the scientific literature
• The physiological responses underlying reactivity
• The relationship between reactivity and arousal
• Proactive vs. reactive responses
• Highly sensitive personality
• Emotional regulation and dysregulation
• How to apply these concepts to working with reactive dogs!
