Walking a reactive dog can be challenging on a good day and feel downright impossible in the wrong set of circumstances. Things like loose dogs, busy sidewalks, and tight walkways can send a reactive dog from 0 to over threshold in no time! Fortunately, there are so many different dog-friendly places in and around Oxford that there is bound to be the right fit for you and your pup. How is a handler to choose? Keep the following tips in mind when choosing where to walk your reactive dog.
1. Know Their Triggers
Knowing your dog’s triggers is essential to setting them up for success. Do they react to other dogs? People? Sounds? Once you’ve identified these triggers, you can choose locations that will minimize exposure to these things. For example, if your dog barks at people, you might want to avoid the most popular walking trails or the town green surrounded by small businesses. If they react to cars, walking along a trail or sidewalk that is along a main road would not be a great choice.
2. Consider the Time of Day
There are always going to be times of day that are busier than others. During the week you may find your neighbors are all out walking their pups at 8 AM and again at 5 PM. On the weekends, the road might be silent until closer to 10am! You can absolutely use this knowledge to your advantage and strategically walk your dog when you know things will be quieter.
We find reactive dog owners find beneficial to walk their dogs as early as they can in the morning and as late as they can in the evening to lessen their chances of running into a trigger. On the other hand, they can also plan on walking during a busier time if they want to work on their dog’s reactivity in a busier setting! The trends in human and canine traffic can work in your favor in multiple ways.
3. Scope it Out
It can be a great idea to check out that place you think might be a good spot to walk your pup… without your pup! By going for a solo walk in the park or neighborhood you’re considering you can learn a lot about it. How busy is it? Are there a lot of people? How about kids? Does everyone have their dog on leash? If you want to really cover your bases you can check it out at different times of day.
Bonus tip for this one. Consider going for a stroll in different types of weather. A sunny day may bring what feels like everyone in town to that prime walking spot but a cloudy, drizzly day may leave it deserted. It’s often worth checking out!
4. Consider Space
When it comes to reactive dogs, space is your best friend! Try to choose a place that has plenty of room for you to give your dog distance as needed. Think of an open field versus a tight sidewalk. If there is something your dog will find stressful approaching, you can move off the sidewalk and bring your pup to a distance away that will keep them under threshold.
Space is also very useful when you want to work around your dog’s triggers. Whether you’re getting a baseline for their threshold, wanting to counter condition while watching from afar or practice training exercises, the more room you have the better!
5. Hire a Trainer!
A local trainer who frequently works with reactive dogs can be an incredible resource! Not only can they coach you through decreasing your dog’s reactivity but they likely know many places that might be the best fit for you and your pup. A good trainer will have all sorts of tips and tricks to help set your dog up for success in a variety of environments.
When choosing a trainer, be sure to understand their methodologies, experience, education carefully. It will be important to find a trainer who will help you increase both your and your dog’s confidence for long lasting behavior change – never by suppressing behaviors via fear or pain.
You’ve Got This!
Walking your reactive dog doesn’t have to be impossible. By choosing quieter, spacious locations, being mindful of your dog’s triggers and considering the time of day, you can find places to have more relaxing strolls as well as spots to set up some excellent training opportunities. Don’t forget to take a deep breath, keep it playful, supportive and positive.
Not sure where to start? Jessica at Where Sit Happens works extensively with reactive pups in private, one-on-one settings and in group classes run multiple times throughout the year. If you are interested in learning more about how you and your reactive dog can find relief or even just want some tips on where to walk your reactive dog locally, check out our Oxford, CT based training services and fill out an intake form. We’ll be in touch!
Jessica graduated magna cum laude with her Bachelor’s of Science in Animal Science from the University of Connecticut in 2015. Her animal-centered coursework here included courses in animal behavior, health and disease management, anatomy and physiology, basic through advanced nutrition and feeding, genetics, comparative exercise physiology, endocrinology, reproductive physiology and equine science.
Her resume also boasts hands-on work experience managing horse farms, working with animals ranging from prairie dogs and bison to South American Primates at Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo, as well as care, training and management of domestic animals from hamsters to cows.
Outside of RCO, Jessica is the dog mom of five (Rocco, Luna, Owl, River), two cats (August and Willow) enjoys reading, walking and training her own dogs, visiting Disney World and pursuing further educational opportunities.
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