Safety vs. Security: Understanding Your Reactive Dog's Needs

Living with a reactive dog isn’t always the easiest. When your dog experiences stress at home it affects their wellbeing and your own. If your dog is sensitive to changes in their environment or changes outside their home then this blog is perfect for you. Today we’re talking about How we can create a home environment that supports all dogs but especially ones that bark, growl, lunge, or struggle with triggers inside and outside the home. 

First, let’s talk about the difference between safety and security. We all aim to keep our dogs safe. We walk them on leashes to keep them out of traffic or away from dangerous wildlife. We puppy-proof our homes so they cannot get into food or chemicals that are potentially dangerous. Safety for a reactive dog is pretty straightforward, but keeping your dog secure is entirely different. Security refers to your dog feeling safe. Here is an example. When the UPS driver drops off your dog’s food, we know that the UPS driver isn’t a threat. They are just delivering your package and going on about their day. Your dog is safe. Does your dog feel safe though? Probably not. From their perspective, a stranger arrives, approaches the door, and leaves, without ever coming inside and greeting you like the rest of the family does. Security involves looking at how your dog feels, and appreciating their triggers from their perspective so we can truly help them feel safe.

How do we help dogs feel safe? This starts with management. Let’s stick with the UPS example. If this describes your dog, then every time a package comes your dog may be feeling unsafe at home. Management does not aim to “solve” the reactive behavior but works to create an environmental change or routine change that prevents it altogether.

Many of my students create a drop box at the end of their driveway for packages. This way the driver never comes down the driveway at all. Seems like a major change? I promise it’s a lot easier to do this than it is to try and teach your dog that unpredictable strangers are in fact, friends. Another example of using management to provide security is by using window film. If each time your dog sees a passerby they go bonkers racing around window to window barking and screaming, by blocking their visual access you may prevent this cascade of behavior from happening at all. If your dog doesn’t see the threats, they likely won't react. The caveat here though is if your dog can hear passersby that one is more tricky, but it can still be done! Sounds are a main trigger for many sensitive or reactive dogs. Using things like box fans and white noise machines helps to drown out the noise and minimize your dog’s exposure to the big scary, or exciting, noises outside. Another example of providing security to your dog is by creating a safe space within the home. This is a separate spot just for your dog where they can find sanctuary from stress. You can learn more about Safe spaces in our video here.

The best way to help your dog feel supported and calm at home is by advocating for them. When we step up and advocate for what our dogs want and need, they won’t have to do so on their own. When you have guests over and you ask them not to pet your dog’s head, don’t allow them to do so. If you cannot trust your friends and family to follow the rules, use management to keep your dog feeling secure. Set them up in their safe space, keep your dog on a leash so you can keep an eye on them, meet with your family outside, and let your dog stay inside. I can promise you every one of our family and friends knows that if they come over they must call us. If you knock on my door, dog help us all! This allows me to set up an ideal greeting scenario that reduces stress for everyone. This is just one way we can advocate for sensitive dogs in the home. Have a conversation with your dog and set your house rules. When you have visitors make sure that you stick to those rules, your dog will thank you for it!

Lastly, let’s talk about what to do if your dog is chronically stressed at home. I wish that every home environment was as quiet and supportive as each dog needs. The reality is though that we cannot control everything. There will be some weeks when motorcycles seem to come out of the woodwork. Or, where the thunderstorms rage for days on end and there seems to be no escape from what stresses your dog out. When dogs are exposed to their stressors every day and there seems to be no way to give them an escape so that they can rest and recover, I want you to talk to your veterinarian about any support they could offer. There are supplements and calming aids that may be helpful too, read more about what we recommend here. To help your dog find security they may need extra help. Have a conversation with your veterinarian and have a certified professional dog trainer evaluate your situation. Together your dog will have the best team advocating for them! 

There are so many other ways to help your dog feel better and therefore behave better too. You can get started by grabbing your copy of our Beginner’s Guide to Dog Reactivity. In this free guide, I’ll walk you through many more management scenarios and get you and your dog started on your journey together! Click here to get your copy today.