How Structured Exercise Helps Dogs Overcome Reactivity

Your dog is barking at other dogs -- lunging on the leash and jumping at every dog they see. You’ve tried yelling “Stop!” “Leave it!” “No!” and you’ve even tried a gentler approach like saying “It’s okay”, gently petting, and even tried to get your dog to simply sit and watch dogs pass. But these solutions have just felt like band-aids, as you find your dog repeating the same behaviors when they see other dogs.

And, let’s face it, these simply are quick-fix solutions that will inevitably lead to frustration, embarrassment, and just for y’all to avoid dogs altogether or repeat the endless loop.

After 13 years of professionally working with dogs and specializing in canine reactivity and aggression, I see the same situations happen repeatedly. And as much as I want to say there’s a one-size-fits-all to “fix” reactivity, there’s not. I’ve learned that behavior can be a contribution of many things – pain, genetics, learning history, exercise, diet, medical issues, and environment – or even contributed to by other factors like frustration or fear. These all alter the emotional state. To get ahead emotionally, you must control the nervous system.

How Dog Fitness Training Helps Calm Leash Reactivity

Movement in general is beneficial to the body and the brain. Activities like long hikes, swims, and sniff time do help with decompression of the nervous system and ease built-up energy that may contribute to frustration. More so, gradual and steady aerobic exercise can boost mood, learning, and even focus. When the body starts to regulate, the dog can become happier, tired, and relaxed. However, the goal is not to overwork your dog or even have them become tired. We’ve seen numerous dogs who can run miles upon miles, and their brains are still in hyper mode while their bodies are worn out. We also need to be aware of some health considerations of overworked dogs, such as injury, muscle soreness, and dehydration. These can lead to severe consequences and, in some cases, even be fatal.

Therefore, structured exercises such as learning to lift a paw while maintaining the right standing position, developing a balanced stand, and maintaining balance on a slightly unsteady board can offer similar and even additional benefits; however, injury risks still apply and must be introduced in a very gradual manner.

Building Impulse Control and Resiliency in Over-Aroused Dogs

Structured exercise can develop stillness, create patience, and build resiliency. Dogs must maintain correct body structure to hold positions, take on new challenges, and overcome obstacles mentally and physically. These useful skills are practiced in the training lesson and can be transferred into the real world. This, in turn, develops a sense of mental hardiness that’s useful for many dogs, whether they're puppies, adults, or senior dogs. Having the nervous system practice stillness is often what is needed for a dog that does get over aroused easily. This is what can be seen as “nature's medicine,” as the body learns to regulate itself, and your dog learns to be with the moment in time, versus always being on the go.  

Using Directional Cues to Improve Leash Communication

During fitness sessions, dogs practice various cues and even learn different ways to do these behaviors. These not only increase different feedback from each muscle and muscle group, but it has the dog proficiently learn new directional cues to help you communicate, such as “Back Up”, “Paws On”, and “Jump”.

Taking your canine fitness skills on the road is one of the most rewarding keys to developing a stronger relationship with your dog.

Structured Exercise Reinforces Natural Curiosity and Builds Confidence

As a dog’s system adapts, this gives way for them to become tuned into their own canine instincts and natural curiosities. A dog tuned in with their body can express themselves confidently. In behavior work, many ways to help with anxious or shy dog cases. Gradually engaging with new obstacles, such as cardboard boxes, platforms, and unsteady objects, helps build confidence. This must be done safely and not against the dog’s own will.

These same benefits of gaining curiosity and overall confidence are seen amongst different species when it comes to exercise, including rats, mice, dogs, and even humans.

Spotting Hidden Dog Pain and Compensatory Movements

When exercise is slow and controlled, we are more likely to see where the dog’s body may be compensating. For movements such as sits-to-downs and down-to-stands and observing natural gait, we not only see how their form is, but how they are functioning during movement through these common behaviors. This can help professionals clearly communicate concerns with the dog’s veterinarian. It’s of the utmost importance to speak to the dog’s vet if pain is a concern.

As we see, there are many benefits and more to structured exercise. Whether you’re trying to relieve your dog’s built-up frustrations, build impulse control skills, or build confidence, these skills have proven to be beneficial.

It is to note that, in addition to engaging in structured exercise, a behavior modification plan must be followed. We cannot out-exercise reactivity. By taking a movement-based approach, structured exercise can effectively blend with behavior work and may increase the chances of your dog’s success.

Yelling and avoidance are exhausting. If you are ready to combine expert behavior modification with specialized canine conditioning to help your dog thrive, we can help.

Explore our Behavior Modification Programs or join our next Canine Fitness Group Class designed to build real-world neutrality. Contact Venture Dog Training Today to set up an evaluation.