Let’s talk about our pet’s reactivity again. So many humans expect reactivity in animals just to vanish! If the reactivity seems like it is unreasonable, frankly it might be… but let me give you something to think about.
How many of you are overly reactive when it’s unnecessary? Most humans are. Some have a fear of spiders and over react, even scream when seeing one. Reality? How can that little tiny spider hurt you? It can’t. But that doesn’t minimize your reactivity or fear.
Heights? Unless you have fallen, is that fear necessary? Nope. Psychological? I’ve seen people cry out of fear. The difference with pets? They can’t cry so they will growl, hiss, bolt, explode, etc… It’s the only way they can express themselves.
What about those little things people do that really anger you? (We aren’t all guilty of this but some are!). You might scream, swear, slam something. But yet you are upset when your dog (example) “reacts” to another dog? Maybe that dog did something completely offensive, you just don’t know! Or maybe the dog is just not a fan of other dogs… again, maybe irrational, but to whoever it is human, or animal, it seems rational.
Reactivity is annoying, I know it is. I have a VERY reactive strong pitbull. It can be dangerous. It should be worked on in hopes of improving it. The point I am trying to make is be patient. Accept it to some degree. Don’t ignore it. Reactivity is a sign of your animal being uncomfortable, frightened, stressed in some way. Try to help them. But be patience. And accept some animals will ALWAYS be reactive to some degree. That does not make them less lovable or less worthy. It does not make them “bad” or “aggressive.” It makes them an individual that has triggers and fears, JUST LIKE HUMANS.
If you all sit down and think of things that cause YOU to be reactive, I am sure most of you can find at least one. And Im sure it is something many others (including your pet) would say is irrational. But to you, it isn’t. And that’s ok. The same applies to your animal.
