What Is Dog Reactivity? Understanding the Difference Between Reactivity and Overreaction

Is your dog barking, lunging, or hiding in everyday situations? Learn what dog reactivity really is, why it’s not bad behaviour, and how to help

And why your dog’s not “naughty”—they’re overwhelmed.

You know that moment when your dog hears a collar jingle three streets away and instantly turns into a barking, lunging whirlwind?
Or when a fluttering leaf triggers a meltdown of epic proportions?

You’re not alone. That, my friend, is dog reactivity—and it’s more common (and more misunderstood) than most people realise.

We’ve been unpacking this all week over on Instagram and Facebook, sharing signs of reactivity and gently busting the myth that your dog is just “overreacting.”

Let’s talk about what’s really going on—and why your reactive dog isn’t misbehaving.

🚫 What Dog Reactivity Is NOT

If your dog is barking, lunging, pacing, growling, hiding, or seemingly flipping out for no reason, it’s easy to assume:

They’re being dramatic
You’ve failed as a trainer
They’re “spoiled”
They need to be corrected or dominated

But here’s the truth:

Reactivity in dogs is not a behaviour problem. It’s a stress response.

Correcting it without understanding it can make it worse.

✅ What Dog Reactivity Really Means

Dog reactivity is your dog’s way of coping when their nervous system is overwhelmed.
It’s an emotional reaction—rooted in fear, stress, frustration, or excitement—not a choice to “act out.”

Reactivity can look like:

Barking and lunging at people or other dogs
Freezing or refusing to move
Hiding or avoiding certain places
Over-the-top zoomies or panting
Growling when touched or approached

Sometimes it’s loud and obvious. Sometimes it’s silent and subtle.
But it’s always your dog saying: “I’m not okay right now.”

🤔 Reactivity or Overreaction?

Here’s where things get tricky:
People often label reactive dogs as being “over the top” or “too sensitive.”

But from your dog’s perspective, they’re reacting just right to what they feel.
That’s the difference.

🐾 A jogger might not be scary to us - but to a reactive dog, that fast-moving shape is a red alert.
🐾 A raised hand might seem innocent - but to a dog with past trauma, it might mean danger.
🐾 A lead being picked up might signal fun - or a dreaded, stressful walk.

It’s not an overreaction. It’s a message.

And when we stop trying to judge or suppress that reaction, we open the door to actual support and change.

🧠 Why Reactivity Is Often Misunderstood

Many training methods focus only on the behaviour you can see.
But dog reactivity isn’t just a behaviour—it’s a communication system.

And it often gets missed because:

It doesn’t always look like aggression
It can seem unpredictable
It’s emotionally draining for the human too (yes, we see you)

That’s why at Barking Up The Right Tree, we don’t offer quick fixes or punishment-based plans.
We offer understanding, structure, and real-life strategies that help dogs feel safe - and help you breathe again.

🐶 How to Help a Reactive Dog (Even If You Don’t Know Where to Start)

We’re not going to tell you to fix everything today.
What we will suggest is this:

👉 This week, try this one mindset shift:

Instead of asking “Why is my dog doing that?”
Try asking “What are they feeling right now?”

This single shift in how you view your dog’s behaviour is the first step toward change.
It brings compassion, clarity, and confidence - not just for your dog, but for you.

📌 Coming Up Next Week:

We’ll explore why your dog reacts differently than other dogs—and why that has everything to do with wiring, sensitivity, and their unique stress tolerance.

So if you’ve ever thought, “Why can that dog walk calmly past another dog and mine explodes like a volcano?” - we’ve got you.

You can find the next blog here: https://barking-up-the-right-t...

Until then, come join the conversation in the Facebook group, follow along on Instagram, and remember:

Your dog isn’t broken. You’re not doing it wrong. And reactivity is nothing to be ashamed of.

Categories: : Online dog training, reactive dog training