Living with a high-drive or reactive dog is a unique adventure. These dogs are full of potential, bursting with energy, and capable of incredible things—but they can also bring their own set of challenges. If you’ve ever found yourself feeling overwhelmed, frustrated, or unsure of how to help your dog thrive, you’re not alone.
Specialised training can be a real game-changer for dogs like these. It’s not just about managing behaviours—it’s about understanding your dog, working with their natural instincts, and helping them become calmer, happier, and more adaptable companions.
What Do We Mean by High-Drive and Reactive Dogs?
High-drive dogs are the energiser bunnies of the dog world. They’re determined, focused, and often very motivated by things like toys, scents, or movement. They’re brilliant for dog sports or working roles, but without direction, they can channel their energy into behaviours we’d rather avoid—think pulling on the lead, barking excessively, or chasing anything that moves.
Reactive dogs, on the other hand, are those that respond strongly to specific triggers—other dogs, people, or even strange objects. They may bark, lunge, or growl, not because they’re “bad” but because they’re struggling to cope with what’s happening around them. This could stem from fear, frustration, or simply being overstimulated.
High Drive dogs without purpose, are highly likely to become reactive dogs. This is one reason why it is so important to choose your breed of dog really carefully. But in the real world, this isn’t always possible. So we have this high drive dog, now what?
Why General Training Isn’t Enough
While basic obedience is important, it’s not enough for high-drive or reactive dogs. These dogs need more than “sit” or “stay”—they need a training plan that works for who they are. Specialised training looks beyond surface-level behaviours and digs into the emotions and instincts driving those behaviours.
How Specialised Training Helps
1. Understanding Triggers
Reactive dogs aren’t “just barking” or “acting up.” They’re reacting to something that feels overwhelming. Specialised training helps us figure out what those triggers are and work on changing their response in a safe, controlled way.
2. Productive Outlets for Energy
High-drive dogs aren’t meant to be couch potatoes. They’re wired to work, think, and move! Without proper outlets, they’ll find their own jobs—often ones we don’t love, like chewing the sofa or digging up the garden. Specialised training gives them healthy ways to burn energy, whether that’s through agility, scent work, or focused games.
3. Building Confidence and Calmness
Reactive dogs often feel like the world is a scary or frustrating place. Specialised training helps them build confidence and resilience. Through gradual exposure to triggers and positive reinforcement, they learn that they can face challenges without overreacting.
4. Teaching Impulse Control
High-drive and reactive dogs sometimes feel like they’re “on” all the time. Impulse control training teaches them to pause, think, and respond rather than react. This might mean waiting calmly at the door, walking nicely on the lead, or ignoring that squirrel racing up a tree.
5. Tailored to Your Dog’s Personality
Every dog is different. What works for a food-obsessed Labrador might not work for a high-energy Border Collie. Specialised training takes your dog’s unique personality into account, so the training fits them—and you—perfectly.
What Does Specialised Training Look Like?
At Fresh Start Dog Training, I design programmes that are as unique as your dog. With a mix of games, practical skills, and confidence-building exercises, we work together to:
- Build calmness and focus through fun, engaging games.
- Teach life skills for real-world challenges, like walking calmly past another dog or ignoring distractions.
- Provide safe outlets for high-drive behaviours with activities like agility, scent work, or trick training.
- Help reactive dogs feel safer and more confident in everyday situations.
Real-Life Transformations
I’ve been there. My journey with Izzy, my English Shepherd, is a perfect example of why specialised training matters. When Izzy came to me, she was reactive and bursting with drive, making everyday life a challenge. To help her thrive, I started introducing her to working trials exercises, where she could use her brain and energy for tasks like searching and retrieving. I also introduced canicross, which allowed her to channel her endless energy into running as part of a team.
As we continued, we added trick training and agility into the mix. These activities not only gave Izzy the mental stimulation she craved but also helped her develop focus and impulse control. Over time, her reactivity lessened, and she became a more confident, balanced dog. The structured outlets gave her purpose, and our bond deepened with every new skill she mastered.
This is what specialised training is all about—finding ways to meet your dog’s unique needs and turning challenges into opportunities.
The Benefits for You and Your Dog
Specialised training isn’t just about fixing “bad behaviours.” It’s about creating a stronger bond between you and your dog, reducing stress, and opening up new possibilities. Imagine walking your reactive dog in the park without worrying about outbursts, or channelling your high-drive dog’s energy into exciting dog sports.
Let’s Get Started
High-drive and reactive dogs are incredible, but they need guidance to truly shine. With the right training, their unique traits can become their greatest assets.
If you’re ready to help your dog thrive, I’d love to hear from you. Together, we can create a fresh start for you and your dog.
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