Understanding what happens before your dog reacts is very important if you are going to resolve their reactivity.

There is always something that prompts behavior. Think carefully about the situation you found yourself in. What was happening just before your dog started to over-react?

Sometimes we focus only on the obvious triggers, such as a dog appearing or a person getting closer. But in reality, the thing which immediately comes before the reaction is often more subtle. Look for things like a hand getting too close, tension in the lead, or changes in position of your body in relation to theirs.

Once you understand exactly what comes before your dog's reaction, you can manage the environment and adjust how you behave to make it easier for them to act calmly and feel safe in the world around them.