How to Help Your Reactive Chicago dog feel more at ease
If your dog has big feelings about other dogs, people, or city life in general, you're in good company. We have tons of clients who are in the same boat! At Copilot, we work with leash-reactive dogs every day; especially here in Chicago, where triggers pop up everywhere.
What Reactivity Looks Like
Reactivity means a dog has an intense response to something in their environment.
That might look like:
Barking
Lunging
Pulling
Freezing/laying on the ground
Whining when another dog walks by
Humans nearby
Fast moving objects like bikes and cars
For nervous dogs, this could be something as simple as a plastic bag that wasn’t expected to be blowing by
We promise your dog isn’t misbehaving, it’s just a stress response.
Their body is saying, “I don’t know what to do with this. I need to protect myself.”
Why Reactivity Happens
Reactivity doesn’t always equate to aggressive dogs.
Some dogs react out of fear.
Others are frustrated they can’t say hi.
Some are simply overwhelmed by all the sights, sounds, and smells of the city.
Common causes of reactivity can include…
Not enough early social experiences
Genetics
Tough or unpredictable pasts (especially in rescue dogs)
Mixed signals from humans on what to do
It can take days for some dogs to recover from a reactive moment
Why decompression is important
After a reactive episode, your dog’s body floods with stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline.
It can take up to 72 hours for those levels to return to baseline (crazy, right?!)
That means a single stressful moment can impact their behavior and ability to focus for days. If your dog seems “off” or more reactive than usual after a tough walk, they’re not being dramatic, they’re recovering from a genuine stress response.
This is why we focus on thoughtful, supportive training instead of just “pushing through” reactions.
Giving your dog space to decompress, sleep, and reset is just as important as practicing the right skills and leash walking.
❌ What Doesn’t Help ❌
Leash corrections or yelling (adds stress)
Flooding your dog with exposure (can overwhelm them)
Avoiding everything forever (missed learning opportunities)
How we can help
Try our reactivity class or private training for a little extra support.
At Copilot, we teach dogs and their people practical tools that actually work in the real world. Our Reactivity Class is…
Small-group program designed just for this kind of challenge.
Capped at four dogs
Taught by two certified trainers who are great at working with big feelings
Each dog has tall barriers around their station put up for safety and peace of mind
The first session is for humans only, so you can learn the game plan before bringing your pup along. Reactivity is just as much as a human/owner task.
In class you’ll learn…
Pattern games!
Leash skills that reduce tension and give your dog clearer guidance
Management tools that make walks smoother
Counterconditioning techniques to help your dog feel safer around triggers
How to read your dog’s body language
We also talk about why reactivity shows up in the first place, so you can better understand what your dog is trying to say.
Class 3 with best boy, Arthur, who has come SUCH a long way! Shout to his amazing mom for her continued support to her pup.
Who this class is for
Dogs who get loud or pull around dogs or people
Dogs who struggle to focus in busy environments
Humans who want to feel more confident and less stressed on walks
Adult dogs who are fully vaccinated
Your dog doesn’t need to be aggressive to benefit from this class!
Many of our students are dog-friendly but easily frustrated or overwhelmed when the world gets too loud.
In the meantime…
We just want to acknowledge how emotionally hard it can be to own a reactive dog. Remember that your dog loves you, isn’t trying to be difficult and just needs a little guidance to know what to do.
Learn more and save your spot in our Reactivity Class today.