C.O.R Dog Training

When we think about reactivity, it's easy to focus on the moment we can see.

The barking.
The lunging.
The growling.
The whining.
The pulling.

But by the time those behaviours appear, a lot may already have been happening beneath the surface.

Many dogs show subtle signs before they react:
• Increased scanning
• Fixation on a trigger
• Body tension
• Reduced responsiveness
• Rising arousal

On top of that, every dog brings their own unique combination of genetics, experiences, environment, stress levels, learning history, and emotional regulation skills.

This is why two dogs can encounter the exact same situation and respond very differently.

Understanding reactivity isn't just about looking at the behaviour itself. It's about learning to recognise the factors and warning signs that often come before it.

The more we understand what's happening beneath the surface, the better equipped we are to support the dog in front of us.

💬 What's one subtle sign you've noticed before your dog reacts?

Dogs are not blank slates.
Long before modern pet ownership, dogs were selectively bred for specific jobs, environments and behavioural traits. Over generations, humans intentionally reinforced instincts that helped dogs succeed in particular roles — herding livestock, tracking scent, guarding property, retrieving game, pulling sleds, hunting independently, and more.
Those instincts still exist in modern dogs today.
This doesn’t mean behaviour is “fixed,” or that training doesn’t matter. Learning history, environment, reinforcement, socialisation and individual experiences all play enormous roles in behaviour. But genetics can influence:
• motivation
• arousal levels
• sensitivity
• environmental focus
• persistence
• movement patterns
• problem-solving styles
• sociability
• recovery from stress
• and reinforcement preferences
For example, some dogs naturally place a high value on movement, scent or environmental exploration. Others may be more handler-focused, socially motivated or environmentally neutral. This can influence things like recall, loose leash walking, disengagement from distractions, responsiveness outdoors and overall training progress.
Behaviour often makes more sense when we stop viewing dogs through the lens of obedience alone and start considering behavioural purpose.
A dog bred to travel independently over large distances may naturally value freedom of movement more than close proximity to a handler. A dog bred to monitor movement may orient strongly toward motion in the environment. A dog bred for scent work may naturally prioritise odour information over verbal cues in certain situations.
These behaviours are not “bad.”
They are often expressions of deeply reinforced behavioural tendencies.
Understanding this doesn’t lower expectations — it helps us create fairer, more realistic and more effective training strategies.
Good training is not about suppressing instinct.
It is about understanding behaviour, meeting needs appropriately, building reinforcement value, and helping dogs learn how to navigate the human world successfully.
When we understand the dog in front of us more clearly, we can support them more effectively.