The 'Volume Knob' Doesn't Go to Zero: What to Fix First in Reactive Dog Training
Picture this: you're walking your dog, and a block away, you see another dog. Before you can cross the street, your dog erupts—barking, lunging, spinning. You feel embarrassed, frustrated, maybe even scared. The internet tells you to 'be calm' or 'use treats,' but in the moment, your dog seems beyond reach. This is leash reactivity, and it's one of the most common—and misunderstood—behavior issues dog owners face. The 'volume knob' metaphor is tempting. We wish we could just turn down the reactivity, maybe dial it to zero. But reactivity isn't a volume control; it's an amplifier wired to emotions. The dog isn't choosing to be 'bad'; their brain is screaming that the trigger is a threat. So what do you fix initial? Not the bark. Not the lunge. The emotion underneath.