Dogs considered highly reactive also include the Boston, Fox, Cairn and Yorkshire Terriers, Pekingnese, Weimaraner, Pug, Irish Setter, Shetland Sheepdog, Shih Tzu, Poodle, Bichon Frise, Springer Spaniel, the Westie, Chihuahua and the Dachshund.
Dogs are only aggressive toward dogs of a specific gender; for example, a male dog who is only aggressive toward other male dogs. Possessive or resource-related. Dogs behave aggressively when another dog approaches them while they are close to or have something valuable.
Reactive dogs become overly aroused by common stimuli. They may lunge, bark and growl, becoming so preoccupied with whatever is triggering the emotion that they can be difficult to control and move out of the situation. A reactive dog is usually a fearful dog.
While a dog of any breed can develop reactivity, we mostly see it in high-strung herding breeds or guard dogs. Dog breeds in which reactivity is common are Australian Shepherds, Heelers, German Shepherds and crosses of those breeds.
A dog that is leash-reactive might get along well with other dogs off-leash. In that case you can definitely let him play and socialize with doggy friends.
Reactive behaviors usually crop up in adolescence around 6 to 18 months of age and tend to get worse as the dog reaches social maturity around 2 or 3 years of age. Your pup will not “grow out of” this behavior.
Golden and Labrador Retrievers
Golden Retrievers and Labrador Retrievers rarely need an explanation when it comes to why they've made this list of least aggressive dog breeds. These are fun-loving, large dogs and tend to be some of the most popular breeds around the world.
While not every reactive dog has aggressive tendencies, reactivity can become aggression if warning signs are ignored.
Pit Bull Terriers
Probably the most notorious breed on this list, the pit bull has a reputation for unpredictability and aggression, even against its owner or his family.
Do not punish. Punishment won't help and, in fact, will make the problem worse. If the reactivity is motivated by fear, punishment will make your dog more fearful, and could lead to aggression.
In most cases, the best way to get a reactive dog ready for socializing is to slowly expose them to their triggers in a controlled environment and reward them with natural dog treats until they no longer react so strongly.
Pugs, French bulldogs, bulldogs. The No. 1 dog on the list isn't just one breed, but basically "any one flat-faced or brachycephalic dog breed," such as a French bulldog, bulldog, or pug.
Sled dogs, sheep and cattle herding dogs, hunting dogs, livestock guard dogs, and many other less social guard dogs are not appropriate pets for people that are away from home and live in urban and suburban environments. These popular breeds deserve better. Match the breed to your lifestyle.
This kind of work can take anywhere from two to 12 months, as that's how long it takes for a dog to learn a new behavior. After that time period, you should be able to substitute negative reactions with positive thoughts.
The time it takes to calm a reactive dog depends on many factors so there is not a definitive answer. Fearful and over reactive behavior will not go away on its own. The dog will not grow out of it. Left untreated, both the frequency and the intensity of the problems will increase.