top of page
Search

The Most Common Mistakes Families Make with Reactive Dogs (and How to Avoid Them)

  • Writer: lafinquilladogsitt
    lafinquilladogsitt
  • 5 days ago
  • 3 min read

Having a reactive dog can be exhausting: pulling, barking, tension on walks, fear of crossing paths with other dogs or people… But what many families don't know is that, unintentionally, they reinforce the reactivity with small, day-to-day mistakes.


In this blog, we tell you what the most common mistakes are and how to avoid them to truly help your dog improve their behavior.


Timbre de casa

1. Trying to Avoid All Stimuli


Many families, out of fear that the dog will react, start avoiding:

  • Other dogs

  • Crowded walks

  • Areas with stimuli

  • Social encounters

This seems like the solution… but in reality, it worsens reactivity because it:

  • Increases fear

  • Keeps the dog without real practice

  • Limits their ability to improve

  • Reinforces avoidance

Dogs need exposure, but done correctly, with structure and a balanced pack.


2. Approaching the Frightening Stimulus Too Quickly


This is one of the most serious mistakes:

  • ❌ Seeing a dog

  • ❌ Forcing the approach

  • ❌ "Come on, it's okay"

  • ❌ Putting them face-to-face to sniff


This causes the dog to:

  • Block up

  • Bark

  • Lose emotional control

  • Lose trust in you

  • Reinforce reactivity

Exposure must be gradual, not abrupt.


3. Trying to Calm Them by Petting During an Outburst


If the dog is:

  • Barking

  • Pulling

  • Tense

  • In "red alert" mode

and you pet or hug them… you are unintentionally saying: 👉 "Good job, keep it up."

It is not the family's fault; it's human instinct. But for a dog, petting is reinforcement.


4. Scolding Them for Growling


This mistake is very common:

  • ❌ "Don't growl"

  • ❌ "Quiet"

  • ❌ "Stay still"


But growling is COMMUNICATION. It is their way of saying: 👉 "I am uncomfortable" 👉 "I need space"


If growling is punished:

  • The dog stops giving warnings

  • It goes directly to more intense reactions

  • The risk of conflict increases


Growls are understood, not punished.


5. Taking Them to Dog Parks ("Pipicanes") Full of Unstable Dogs


Dog parks are chaos:

  • Dogs without socialization

  • Extremely high energy

  • Poorly introduced dogs

  • Distracted owners

  • Reduced space

  • Conflicting dynamics


A reactive dog there:

  • ❌ Feels pressure

  • ❌ Has no escape

  • ❌ Gets overstimulated

  • ❌ Becomes dysregulated

  • ❌ Worsens every day


The ideal is to work with balanced groups, NOT random ones.


6. Thinking That "Playing with Dogs" is Socializing


Many reactive dogs:

  • Don't know how to play

  • Don't know how to regulate themselves

  • Don't know how to read signals

  • Don't know how to stop

And their families believe that "the more they play, the better."


But a reactive dog needs:

  • 🟩 Structure

  • 🟩 Clear boundaries

  • 🟩 To learn self-control

  • 🟩 To live alongside stable dogs

  • 🟩 Real opportunities for calm

Not chaotic play.


7. Training Only with Food, Without Working on Emotions


Treats help… but they DO NOT solve reactivity on their own.

If only food is used:

  • The dog learns exercises

  • But does not learn emotional regulation

  • Or social reading

  • Or security

  • Or calmness


Reactivity is worked on through:

  • 🟩 Cohabitation

  • 🟩 Self-control

  • 🟩 Emotional management

  • 🟩 A balanced pack

  • 🟩 Clear structure

Not just through "tricks."


8. Not Understanding the Importance of Human Energy


If you are:

  • Tense

  • Nervous

  • Anticipating the problem

  • Afraid they will react

your dog picks up on it and thinks: 👉 "If you are nervous, I have to protect us."


The reactive dog needs to see that their guide is:

  • 🟩 Calm

  • 🟩 Firm

  • 🟩 Secure

  • 🟩 Consistent

That is why at La Finquilla, we also train the families.


9. Trying to Solve It Without Professional Help


Many problems are aggravated because families:

  • Try a thousand things

  • Watch videos out of context

  • Mix methods

  • Improvise

  • Or get discouraged


Reactivity is a profound issue. It requires:

  • ✔ Reading body language

  • ✔ Environmental management

  • ✔ Correct introductions

  • ✔ Proper distances

  • ✔ Balanced dogs

  • ✔ Technique

  • ✔ Experience

It cannot be improvised.


10. Not Having a Stable Pack to Work With


This is the key to success at La Finquilla: Dogs learn from other dogs.

A balanced pack teaches:

  • Calmness

  • Boundaries

  • Respect

  • Communication

  • How to live together

  • How to manage emotions


There is nothing more natural or more effective. This is our method, and it always works because:

  • 👉 We DO NOT force

  • 👉 We DO NOT confront

  • 👉 We DO NOT punish

  • 👉 We DO NOT overexpose

  • 👉 We DO teach real cohabitation


Conclusion


Reactive dogs are not "bad" dogs. They are dogs that don't know how to do better. With structure, a balanced pack, professionalism, and calmness, the changes can be spectacular... and long-lasting. We see it every day at La Finquilla.


Does your dog show reactivity or insecurity?


We can help you with a real plan based on cohabitation, calmness, and a balanced pack.



 
 
 

Comments

bottom of page