When each walk becomes a battle: will both owner and dog make it back with their sanity  intact?  

Many dog owners have found themselves beginning to get anxious about the idea of taking their dog on a walk. Going outside becomes a battle of constantly monitoring their surroundings and avoiding anything that will make their dog lose control. It becomes a gamble if both dog and owner conclude the walk feeling content instead of out of breath and exhausted. Each walk can feel like survival.  

Their dog’s reactions could be in response to anything- including other dogs, squirrels, strangers, or cars. Even more challenging, all the above. The dog has a full body response. Muscles begin to tense, their mouth shuts, and fur bristles along their back. Then they are set off: barking, lunging, and pulling on the leash at whatever it is they are focused on [1]. At times, this can even escalate to attempting to redirect their frustration on their owner. 

There may also be a sense of embarrassment when someone’s dog acts this way. People may be quick to label the dog as “aggressive,” “angry,” or “scary.” Owners may question how it is their  dog, who is likely very loving and relaxed at home, is acting this way. There is an answer to this question, and it is referred to as reactivity [2]. Luckily, there are also solutions!  

Reactivity 101: when a dog’s personal 'chill zone' is tested. 

Reactivity is when a dog overreacts in response to a stimulus [3]. To understand a dog’s behavior,  we must first understand the very things that are making them get so worked up. In the field of  animal behavior these are called triggers [4]. Triggers are different for each dog. They can be almost anything, but among the most common triggers are people, other dogs, and wildlife. When these triggers appear, the dog begins to get agitated and hyper fixate on the object.  

The intensity level your dog can handle is based on their threshold [5]. It is helpful to think of threshold as an indicator, ranging from an extremely relaxed state all the way up to what causes a  full-blown meltdown. When a dog is below their personal threshold, they appear calm and  content. A dog approaching their threshold begins to get rigid and intensely focused. Finally, when they are above threshold, they begin lunging and barking. This can eventually escalate into dangerous situations [6].  

Threshold is typically based on how close or far the trigger is, or how overstimulating the trigger is to the dog. Some dogs can stay below threshold when another dog is 20 feet away, while other  dogs would be far above their threshold at that same distance. Alternatively, a dog who cannot handle other dogs within 20 feet from them may be completely fine with people at any distance. Tiggers and their conditions for pushing a dog above threshold are unique to each dog. 

When Fido flips out: how to navigate everyday life with a reactive dog.

So, what does this all mean? For many owners, they end up needing to play mind reader, investigator, and security guard. It becomes their job to learn their dog’s triggers,  determine how close those triggers can get, and always be ready to either pull their dog away or otherwise intervene. 

Once someone knows their dog is reactive, there still may be challenges outside of the owner’s control. Living in a city apartment can make it hard to avoid dogs at any time of day, despite one’s best efforts. In areas with a dense population, dogs are bound to run into strangers. When trying to utilize a park as an alternative, squirrels may be crossing right in front of the dog- it’s  like they do it on purpose! This can be extremely frustrating for owners who must walk their dog on leash to get them outside. 

In fact, it can even alter the relationship between owner and beloved pet. When someone keeps experiencing the same negative situation, they can begin to experience anxiety each time they are  faced with it again. Owners may end up feeling judged, a lack of control over the situation, and like they are failing their pet.  

A reactive dog is not a reflection of personal failure. Canine behavior is a constantly evolving field of science, but a few things are known to be true. Reactivity is usually caused by fear [7,8]. The dog would like that trigger to be as far from them as possible and they will let their owner know! This fear can be from a traumatic experience, a lack of socialization as a puppy, or even  genetic factors [9,10].  

Other dogs are reactive because they are over aroused- they are in fact, too excited [11] and really frustrated that their owner is not letting them go where they want to go! Who the heck put this leash on anyway? For these dogs, the trigger is so appealing they cannot fathom why someone would hold them back.  

In both cases, the dog’s reaction can be made worse by the presence of the leash [12]. Imagine an individual entering a fight or flight state but their movement is restricted by an object. Alternatively, imagine someone in a state of extreme excitement only to be held back. Both scenarios exemplify what a dog may feel on leash. In either case, frustration is likely to occur. Owners who must leash walk their dogs typically try dog training sessions for this reason.  

While this is an impactful step, it is also important to know that positive reinforcement training occurs at the dog’s pace. Additionally, the dog may never get to the point where they are completely calm about every person, squirrel, and dog they see- and that is okay! When someone can build up their dog’s tolerance to triggers while also respecting the dog’s boundaries, it creates a training space where the human-animal bond is strengthened.  

The sweet escape: an urban oasis  

While a dog is working through their big emotions while on leash, owners may be seeking out alternative locations where they can take their dog. Ideally these are spaces that allow the dog to be outside while also not having to face their triggers. After all, every dog needs a break too! 

Many existing options don’t seal the deal. Dog parks can be equally overstimulating or scary to a dog who already struggles with interactions. Owners also do not know the other dogs there.  Fenced local areas such as tennis courts or empty playgrounds are heavily utilized which leaves minimal hours where they are open for dogs. Hauling a dog to a quiet park can help reduce stress but still requires the dog to be on leash. It also carries a degree of risk that a trigger could appear.  

This is where Rome comes in as a solution. For owners who don’t have yards, Rome provides  private and safe backyard rentals where beloved canine companions can run free- off leash and without any other people or dogs. Rome creates a personal paradise where owner and dog can enjoy quality outdoor time together. Owners can finally control the situation by conveniently picking any yard of their personal choice. Additionally, they have the peace of mind to know they won’t run into anyone or anything they don’t want to.  

Reactivity can be challenging to navigate. With Rome, it can be made easier. 

About the Author: Marissa Boland

Marissa Boland is an animal behaviorist with a bachelor's degree in Animal Behavior and a minor in Environmental Studies from Franklin & Marshall College. She has spent years working in animal welfare across species, with experience in shelters, wildlife care, and community outreach. Her hands-on background includes shelter work, volunteering, pet ownership, and behavior support. Marissa also completed an internship at the University of Pennsylvania, where she focused on behavior training for working dogs. She cares deeply about compassionate, evidence-based care and helping people better understand the animals they love.

Connect with her on LinkedIn.