Reactivity is a label given to a series of behaviours that can be classed as an overreactions to a normal, mundane, everyday situation. Reactivity isn't a fixed behaviour trait, which means we can teach our dogs to react differently. 

Reactivity can happen for a number of different reasons. But usually I found that it is associated with a fear response and/or a heightened level of frustration when our dogs are unsure how to handle, cope with or act in a particular situation. They can only show how they are feeling through their behaviour.

When we see Reactivity as an overreaction to a particular situation, we can help our dogs learn more appropriate ways to react in those situations. It is a process which starts by understanding that your dog has emotions including feeling fearful, and addressing the underlying causes by building up their abilities and confidence with a simple and specific training plan to teach them how to respond in a calmer way.

This is very dependent on your dog, what they can cope with and how dedicated you are to following the steps involved. I always advise to go at your dog's pace even if you want a quick result. Resolving Reactivity is seldom a quick fix, and there is no 'magic word' or secret tactic. Instead it's about building a long-term, sustainable solution so you have a calmer dog and an easier, long life together. 

Yes! The Dogs Made Easier approach helps you understand what's going on for your dog and why they're behaving the way they are. So you can learn to recognise what's triggering their behaviour, what measures and training you can take to put in place 

I totally get it! Trying to find training that actually works can be a minefield. I've designed the Dogs Made Easier approach from the exact same framework I've been using for years to help hundreds of dogs learn to cope and relax so that they become calmer and less reactive. By addressing the underlying causes of your dog's unwanted behaviour,  which is often missing from traditional obedience training, you'll discover there are some simple changes and shifts you can make in your dog's day to day life. Doing this alongside our simple 'Spot The Dog' training game that's designed specifically to teach your dog to be less reactive is what makes this approach different and successful.

Yes! It may take a bit longer because they've been practising the behaviour for longer so it's more like a habit now. But that doesn't mean that you can't change it. When we change what we're doing with them, they will change along with us.

Traditional obedience training doesn't often cover how to change behaviour. These are actually different training models. Traditional obedience training is very 'task-based', which shows you how to follow particular steps to get a predetermined outcome (eg how to get your dog to sit on cue). At Dogs Made Easier our approach is based on Behaviour Modification which de-codes your dog's unwanted behaviour and understand what's causing it so you can support your dog to respond differently and develop their confidence.

Dogs Made Easier is a dedicated to using kind and rewarding teaching and training methods. It is based on working in partnership with your dog using positive reinforcement. It's NOT what I call 'Command and Control training' which is an older and less effective style of training which you give your dog a command expect to be obeyed, and then physically force or control your dog to make them do the thing you're asked.  Working in partnership is opposite to this and teaches you to understand your dog, their reactions and how they are communicating with you. All good relationships are based on this. Learning to work in partnership with your dog makes teaching them easier and you'll find your dog is responding to you much better too.  Our job is to build trust with our dogs and this is best achieved when we accept the dog for who they are as an individual and support them when they're struggling to cope. This is the foundation Dogs Made Easier.