Why Establishing a Working Relationship and Working with Arousal Comes Before Reactivity Training
Jumping straight into reactivity training without laying the proper foundation can be like trying to build a house without a frame—it’s unstable and unlikely to last. Before we can help a reactive dog feel safe and respond calmly in the face of triggers, we need two key things in place:
- A strong, trusting working relationship between you and your dog
- The skills to recognize and manage arousal levels effectively
Let’s break down why these steps are so important.
1. The Working Relationship: Trust, Engagement, and Communication
A working relationship means your dog knows how to look to you for guidance and feels safe doing so. This relationship includes:
- Predictability: Your dog knows what to expect from you
- Clear communication: You’ve built up a shared “language” (cues, markers, reinforcement)
- Trust and safety: Your dog believes you’ll help them through tough situations
💡 Why it matters:
A reactive dog is often overwhelmed, anxious, or frustrated. If you don’t yet have a strong bond AND a way to communicate under low-stress conditions, your dog won’t be able to follow your lead when things get intense.
2. Understanding and Working with Arousal
Reactivity often comes from an inability to cope with high arousal. Arousal isn’t just “excitement”—it’s a rise in mental and physical energy that can tip into barking, lunging, or shutdown if it spikes too high.
Before reactivity training, it’s vital to help your dog:
- Recognize their own arousal (through your observation)
- Practice calming strategies (like pattern games, sniffing, or disengagement)
- Build impulse control in low-stress scenarios
- Stay in the learning zone, not the overwhelmed zone
🐶 A dog who can’t regulate their arousal won’t be able to respond to training cues during a trigger exposure.
3. What Happens If You Skip This Step?
Without these foundations, reactivity training is more likely to fail or even backfire:
- The dog may become more stressed in the presence of triggers
- You may see more explosive behavior as the dog doesn’t know how to self-regulate
- Training becomes frustrating for both you and your dog
- You miss the chance to celebrate early wins and build confidence together
4. What To Focus on First
Before diving into reactivity-specific setups, spend time building these key foundations:
✅ Engagement & Attention Skills
- Name response
- Voluntary check-ins
- Treat magnet or follow-me games
✅ Calmness & Recovery Routines
- Sniff walks
- Relaxation protocols
- Settle on a mat
✅ Arousal Regulation
- Start/stop play sessions
- Pattern games (e.g., 1-2-3 walking, up-down)
- Consent-based touch and disengagement cues
✅ Reinforcement History
- Build value for calm, focus, and handler orientation
- Use a marker system so your dog knows exactly when they’re doing the right thing
Final Thought
Reactivity training isn’t just about managing triggers—it’s about helping your dog feel safe, capable, and connected. That transformation starts with you and the relationship you build together. When your dog knows how to stay regulated and trust your guidance, you’ll both be much better equipped to face the outside world—and succeed.