🐶 “My Dog LOVES Other Dogs… Maybe TOO Much 😅”
Does your dog:
- Pull hard toward other dogs
- Bark or whine when they see one
- Lose all focus outside
- Seem unable to calm down around dogs
👉 You’re not alone 💜
And here’s something important:
👉 Overexcitement is still a form of emotional dysregulation
🧠 Why Dogs Get Overexcited
For many dogs:
👉 Other dogs are the MOST exciting thing in the environment
Your dog may feel:
✔ Excitement
✔ Frustration
✔ Anticipation
Especially if they’ve learned:
👉 “Seeing dogs = playtime or greeting!”
⚠️ Why This Can Become a Problem
Even friendly excitement can lead to:
- Pulling
- Barking
- Frustration reactivity
- Difficulty focusing
👉 Excitement can tip into overwhelm
🐾 Step 1: Stop Practicing Chaotic Greetings
If your dog pulls and then gets to greet:
👉 Pulling gets rewarded
Instead:
✔ Create space
✔ Slow things down
✔ Don’t allow every dog interaction
🦴 Step 2: Build Engagement With YOU
Teach your dog:
👉 “Seeing a dog means check in with me”
✔ Reward eye contact
✔ Reward calm observation
✔ Practice focus around dogs at a distance
🧁 Step 3: Work Under Threshold
Your dog should:
✔ Notice the other dog
✔ Stay calm enough to eat treats
✔ Remain responsive
👉 Distance is your friend 💜
🧠 Step 4: Teach Calm Around Dogs
Reward:
✔ Looking calmly
✔ Choosing not to pull
✔ Relaxed body language
👉 Calm behavior should pay better than chaos
👀 Step 5: Avoid Flooding
Too much exposure can increase:
❌ Frustration
❌ Overarousal
❌ Reactivity
👉 More dogs ≠ better socialization
🚫 What NOT to Do
❌ Force greetings
❌ Let your dog drag you to every dog
❌ Assume excitement is “just friendliness”
👉 Emotional control matters—even for social dogs
💜 What Success Looks Like
A dog who:
✔ Can see other dogs calmly
✔ Stay engaged with you
✔ Handle excitement without losing control
✨ Final Thoughts
Excitement isn’t bad—but dogs still need help learning how to regulate it 💜
👉 Calm around dogs is a skill that can be taught
📣 Need Help With Overexcitement or Reactivity?
🐾 Always Stay Pawsitive Dog Training
Helping your dog build calm, confidence, and focus around distractions 🐾
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