Most people think aggression and reactivity in dogs is a behaviour problem that needs fixing. They see the barking, the lunging, the hard stares and assume their dog is being naughty or badly behaved. It makes sense to think that way because the behaviour feels disruptive and overwhelming.
A lot of people also believe their dog is just being stubborn or dominant. They've been told their dog needs to be disciplined or that more and more restriction is the solution. So they try to stop the behaviour directly, using corrections or distractions or trying to push through it. But often, nothing really changes.
But here's the problem with that approach. When we only focus on stopping the behaviour, we miss what the behaviour is actually telling us. Reactivity isn't just noise or bad manners. It's information. It's your dog trying to communicate something important.
And when we ignore that message, the behaviour usually gets worse. Or it goes quiet for a while and then explodes later. That's because we haven't addressed what's underneath. We've just tried to put a lid on it.
So let's reframe this. Aggression and reactivity are almost always an expression of an unmet need. That need might be safety, control, predictability, or even just appropriate outlets for energy and emotion. When a dog doesn't have what they need, their nervous system stays on high alert. And that's when we see the big reactions.
Think of it this way. If you were constantly anxious, never knew what was coming next, and had no way to release tension, you'd probably snap too. Dogs are the same. Their behaviour is a reflection of how they're feeling inside. And when their needs aren't met, they show us through their actions.
Sometimes the need is obvious. A dog who's scared of other dogs needs more distance and safety. A dog who's never learned to self-soothe needs help regulating their emotions. But sometimes the need is less obvious. Sometimes a dog is frustrated because they have no control over their day, no choice in what happens to them, and no way to predict what's coming next. That lack of agency builds up like pressure in a bottle.
And here's something people don't often consider. Sometimes reactivity becomes a hobby. If a dog's life is boring or stressful with no appropriate outlets, they might find entertainment in the drama of reacting. It's stimulating. It's something to do. It gives them a sense of purpose, even if it's not a healthy one. So the behaviour can become self-reinforcing, not because they're being bad, but because it meets a need for engagement.
I worked with a dog called Archie a while back.
He was a terrier mix who lunged and barked at every dog he saw on walks. His owner thought he hated other dogs. But when we dug deeper, we realised Archie's life was really structured and predictable but in a limiting and restrictive way. Same walk, same time, same route. No sniffing allowed. No choice. No fun.
When we started giving Archie more freedom to explore, more time to sniff, and more opportunities to make his own decisions, within a safe framework that we would establish, something shifted.
His reactivity didn't disappear overnight, but it softened. He had other ways to feel engaged and in control. He didn't need the drama of reacting to other dogs as much because his life had more richness in it. The reactivity wasn't the real problem. It was just the symptom.
So what do we do instead?
We start by asking what our dog might need. Do they need more distance from triggers? More predictability in their routine? More outlets for their energy and emotions? More choice in their day? More fun?
Once we start meeting those needs, the behaviour often changes on its own. Not because we've trained it away, but because the dog doesn't need it anymore.
One of the most powerful tools I've found for this is giving dogs self-directed activities. Things like sniffing, foraging, exploring at their own pace.
That's where something like ACE Freework comes in. It's a way for dogs to meet their own needs through choice and exploration. And over time, it helps build confidence, reduce frustration, and calm the nervous system. We've got an ACE Freework workshop coming up soon, and it's a beautiful way to see this in action.
When we stop fighting the behaviour and start listening to it, everything changes. Reactivity becomes a conversation, not a battle. And our dogs finally get what they've been asking for all along.
Behaviour is always a request, even when it's loud.
We have an upcoming ACE Freework Workshop on the weekend at the end of the month. If you’re curious then click here to learn more.
Also.
Through
Canine Caregivers, I offer online courses and webinars to build understanding, structure, and consistency at your pace.
If you’re based in Sydney, I also offer
1:1 training across Sydney,
socialisation and puppy classes, and can provide all recommended
training equipment to support the work we’re doing. I offer The Complete Care training program that covers every single base you will need as well as The Starter Program which allows you to tailor the training and support you need with flexibility.
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Join Canine Caregivers
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Or get in touch for 1:1 help in Sydney
— Ian
Bondi Behaviourist
“A healthy dog is a happy dog and a happy dog is great to live with”.
