Understanding Your Reactive Dog
Reactivity in dogs can feel overwhelming and even isolating. Whether it’s the barking that won’t stop when strangers approach or the lunging at other dogs on walks, it can feel like you’re constantly firefighting. But what if I told you that your dog’s reactivity is rooted in something much deeper—something shared across all mammals, including you?
Neuroscientist Jaak Panksepp identified seven core emotions that are present in dogs: SEEKING, FEAR, RAGE, LUST, CARE, PANIC/GRIEF, and PLAY. These emotions guide your dog's behavior, often in ways that are more instinctual than learned. When your dog reacts, they're expressing a complex web of these core emotions. Understanding these emotions will help you navigate your dog's reactivity with more empathy, transforming how you see their behavior.
The Emotional Storm Behind Reactivity
At the heart of reactivity is emotional arousal. Whether it’s FEAR, frustration (what Panksepp calls RAGE), or overstimulation from curiosity (SEEKING), your dog’s behavior is an expression of deep emotions. That barking, lunging, or retreating into fear isn't just "bad behavior"—it’s your dog saying, I'm feeling something big, and I need help navigating it.
SEEKING: Curiosity Turned Chaos
The SEEKING system is the spark of curiosity in your dog. It drives them to explore the world with excitement, often leading to over-arousal. When a dog spots another dog or person, their SEEKING system kicks into overdrive. But when their desire to explore is blocked (maybe they’re leashed or in a confined space), that unmet urge can lead to reactive behaviors like barking or pulling.
How to Help:
Channel your dog’s curiosity in healthy ways. Use puzzle toys, sniffing games, or walks where they can explore freely. Engaging their natural SEEKING instincts in a controlled way reduces the frustration that often drives reactivity.
FEAR: The Heart of Protection
We’ve all seen it—when a dog barks and lunges because they’re scared. Their FEAR system is working to protect them from what they perceive as a threat. Whether it’s a new person, an unfamiliar dog, or a loud noise, FEAR triggers a fight or flight response. This is especially true for dogs with past trauma or poor socialization.
How to Help:
When your dog’s reactivity is driven by fear, the answer isn’t force—it’s safety. Gradually introduce them to stressors in controlled environments, using positive reinforcement to show them that the world isn’t as scary as they might think.
RAGE: Frustration on a Leash
The word “rage” sounds intense, but in dogs, it’s often tied to frustration—especially when they feel restricted. Have you ever noticed how your dog seems more reactive on a leash? That’s the RAGE system in action. When dogs want something but can’t get to it—like another dog or an exciting scent—they can become reactive.
How to Help:
Give your dog outlets for their frustration through physical and mental stimulation. Make time for off-leash play, long walks, and problem-solving games to reduce the buildup of frustration.
CARE and PANIC/GRIEF: The Emotional Bonds at Play
At the heart of your dog’s relationship with you is the CARE system, which drives nurturing behaviors and attachment. When your dog feels secure in their bond with you, they’re less likely to react out of fear or insecurity. But when they feel separated or abandoned, the PANIC/GRIEF system kicks in, which can lead to anxiety-driven behaviors, such as barking, whining, or pacing. Dogs with secure attachments tend to feel more confident and stable in unfamiliar or stressful situations because they trust that their caregiver will be there to provide support. This reduces the likelihood of them displaying fear-based reactivity, such as barking, lunging, or aggressive behaviors.
Conversely, dogs with insecure attachments—whether anxious or avoidant—are more likely to react fearfully or aggressively because they lack confidence in their bond and may feel more vulnerable in stressful situations.
Studies have shown that securely attached dogs tend to cope better with challenges and show less distress in unfamiliar environments.
How to Help:
Strengthen your bond with your dog by consistently showing up for them emotionally. The more secure they feel in their attachment to you, the more stable they’ll feel in stressful situations. Daily moments of connection, whether through play or gentle touch, reinforce this bond and help calm their anxiety.
PLAY: The Joy of Letting Go
Dogs need play as much as they need food or shelter—it’s how they burn off excess energy and process emotions. The PLAY system can be a lifeline for reactive dogs, offering an outlet for pent-up stress. Play helps them release tension and build positive associations with the world around them.
How to Help:
Incorporate structured play into your dog’s routine to activate the PLAY system and counterbalance stress. Interactive games like fetch, tug-of-war, or playdates with other friendly dogs can offer your dog a much-needed emotional reset.
Healing Through Connection
Your dog’s reactivity isn’t something to “fix”—it’s something to understand. Behind every reactive behavior is an emotional system at work. Whether it’s SEEKING curiosity, FEAR of the unknown, or RAGE from frustration, your dog is expressing a need. By recognizing these core emotions, we can better respond to their needs with empathy, patience, and love.
Your role is not just to control your dog’s behavior but to nurture their emotional well-being. By understanding the emotional world they’re navigating, you can help them heal and grow into a more balanced and confident companion.
Empathy Over Correction
Our dogs feel everything deeply. Their reactivity is more than surface-level behavior; it’s a window into their emotional lives. When we approach reactivity with understanding instead of frustration, we build a deeper connection. Healing through this emotional bond isn’t about training them out of behaviors—it’s about helping them feel safe in their emotions.
By understanding and responding to their core emotions, you offer them not just discipline but a profound emotional anchor. Let’s replace judgment with compassion and control with connection—because, after all, your dog feels everything you do.
Rehn, T., & Keeling, L. J. (2016). "The effect of time left alone at home on dog welfare." Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 179, 69-73.
This study shows that dogs with a secure attachment to their caregivers exhibit fewer stress-related behaviors when left alone, indicating greater emotional security and resilience in stressful situations.
Konok, V., Kosztolányi, A., Rainer, W., & Miklósi, A. (2015). "Owners’ attachment to their dogs is associated with dogs’ separation-related behavior." Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 173, 16-22.
This research highlights that securely attached dogs show less separation-related anxiety and are generally more confident in their bond with their caregivers.
Silva, K., & de Sousa, L. (2011). "‘Canis empathicus’? A proposal on dogs' capacity to empathize with humans." Biology Letters, 7(4), 489-492.
This paper discusses the empathic connection between dogs and humans and how a secure bond influences a dog’s emotional regulation, making them less likely to react out of insecurity or fear.
Panksepp, J. (1998). Affective Neuroscience: The Foundations of Human and Animal Emotions. New York: Oxford University Press.
This work provides the foundation for understanding the seven core emotional systems in mammals, including dogs, and how these systems influence behaviors like reactivity, attachment, and stress responses.