6 Tips for Running With a Reactive Dog
For a dog that can be reactive — whether to other dogs, bikes, people, etc. — their worlds can get small pretty quickly. Parks, city streets, and even your own neighborhood can be overwhelming if your dog’s triggers are present. But reactive dogs deserve space to explore and get fun exercise too.
I love running with my foster dog, but the fact that he can be reactive toward other dogs means I need to be prepared — mentally and physically — when I run with him. It also means I need to consider whether a run is a good idea that day, given his and my stress levels (more on that later). When a run does go well, it’s so rewarding! And it’s a valuable bonding experience for me and my foster dog too.
I’m not a dog trainer, but I have learned a lot about managing reactivity in dogs from working with certified dog trainers who use ethical, positive reinforcement training techniques and doing lots of research on the topic from trainer-recommended resources. A lot of my research and help-seeking from trainers has been motivated by working with my foster dog, especially after runs or walks that were stressful for both of us. That’s never fun, but it does always end up in a lesson learned on my end to better support my foster dog.
In my experience, running with a reactive dog takes thought and preparation (on top of consistent training!)…
