Sadly, they do not. The only way to counter reactivity is through consistent and positive training. You should never punish a dog for reactivity or it will only become worse. Especially if you own a young dog who suddenly shows reactive behavior, you should see professional help.
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.
Reactive dogs often feel unstable or unsafe about something. The trigger might be unfamiliar or related to a previous bad experience. The best way to help your dog become a calm, cool animal all the time is to offer them a predictable routine that reinforces stability and safety.
A reactive dog is usually a fearful dog. Causes can be genetic, but they are more likely due to a lack of socialization, prior bad experiences or a lack of training. Aggressive dogs show similar signs but are determined to cause harm and destruction.
If the dog is afraid of other dogs, letting him look away and then move away from the other dog is the best reinforcement for most dogs. You can start this by teaching an Autowatch, or by waiting for him to look away himself, and reinforce it with food, play and/or an increase in distance between the dogs.
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.
Many dogs are out of control when they see another dog. They will whine, bark, lunge, etc… even when the dog is at a great distance. Dogs can act this way out of excitement, frustration, fear, pain, and sometimes out of aggression. There is a much greater chance of improving our dogs behavior when it is predictable.
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.
Dogs that are reactive overreact to certain stimuli or situations. Genetics, lack of socialization, insufficient training to learn self-control, a frightening experience, or a combination of these can cause reactivity, and fear is typically the driving force.
Territorial barking or leash reactivity, such as when your dog is barking at the UPS driver when they deliver a package to your front door, are not behaviors you should ignore either, as these can make other people uncomfortable or put them in danger.
Reactivity is common with dogs who suffer from anxiety. Often this becomes more obvious during adolescence or a secondary socialisation/fear period but then doesn't fade as the dog becomes an adult.
Use a harness or head collar
A flat collar is not ideal for controlling a leash-reactive dog. Instead, your dog should wear a harness or head collar, both of which allow more control and security.
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. Seek help as soon as you notice an issue.
Most dogs diagnosed with canine autism are reactive and often lack socialization skills. Reactive animals often inherit an anxiety disorder. The most common traits of dogs with autism include anxiety and poor socialization skills.
While it is never too late to socialize your dog, the sooner you start, the better. Socializing your dog is very important at any stage in their life. It's especially crucial as they get older.
To build your dog's confidence in a more general way, provide them with enrichment activities and relationship-based training. Simply feeding your dog via food puzzles and getting them involved in nose work (which, by the way, is fun for both dogs and their people) can make them more confident.
If you decide that grooming your reactive pup at home isn't right for you, there are definitely lots of caring, dedicated professionals out there who are ready to take on the task. You'll want to do your research, though, and make sure you take your dog to a groomer with experience working with reactive dogs.
Reactivity is very common: Our own research shows that 75% of dog owners say they have a dog that shows some signs of reactivity.
Many reactive dogs live well with other dogs or play well at dog parks, because reactivity is just your dog reacting to a specific stimulus. Dogs can be reactive to a variety of different stimuli like people, other dogs, and bicycles. There are many different reasons for reactivity and different levels of intensity.
Hold your dog on a loose leash; a tight leash can heighten reactivity. Treat your dog when he walks next to you; if he pulls on the leash or crosses in front of you, stop walking. Use a treat to lure him back to your side. Walk toward the other dog at an angle or perpendicular to the other dog, rather than head on.
For a reactive dog—and, frankly, for any dog—these collars and leashes are dangerous and likely to make the problem worse. Instead, you'll want to walk your dog with a harness and a regular 5-6 foot nylon or leather leash. The best body harness for a reactive dog is one that clips at the chest instead of at the spine.