Dog Reactivity Chart
A reactive dog can only learn while it is calm enough to think, which trainers call “under threshold.” This one-page chart shows the four zones (green, yellow, orange, red), the body language that marks each one, and what to do the moment your dog climbs a zone. Below it, a distance log helps you find your dog’s calm distance and shrink it slowly over weeks: the core of the reward-based approach in the AVSAB humane-training guidelines.
Fillable · bilingual EN/ES · vet-sourced, not a scanned template.
Got the free sheet? The full version → Reactive Dog Training Toolkit $6.73 What's inside
- The four threshold zones, each with the signs to watch for and the one thing to do
- The method in four steps: find the green distance, pair the trigger with food, shrink the distance slowly, watch for stacking
- A fillable distance log: date, trigger, distance and zone
- A short “when to get help” box: vet first for sudden or worsening reactions, then a certified behavior professional
How to use it
- Read the four zones before your next walk, and practise spotting yellow: it is the zone you can still act on.
- Find the distance where your dog notices a trigger and stays green, and write it in the log.
- Pair every sighting with food at that distance; move a little closer only after several calm sessions.
- If your dog hits orange or red, end the session calmly and log it. Patterns show up within a couple of weeks.
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- What does “under threshold” mean?
- It is the distance or situation where your dog notices the trigger but stays calm enough to take a treat and respond to you. Learning happens there. Over threshold (barking, lunging) the dog is too stressed to learn, so the work is to stay under it.
- How far away should we start?
- Wherever your dog stays green: for some dogs that is across the street, for others the far end of a park. Start farther than you think, because distance is the tool that keeps every session successful.
- How long does it take?
- It varies by dog. With short, consistent sessions kept under threshold, many owners see a dog that notices a trigger and checks in instead of exploding within a couple of months. Pushing closer too fast is the most common reason progress stalls.
- Should I correct my dog for barking or lunging?
- No. AVSAB’s position is that punishment can increase fear and aggression; a reaction means the dog was pushed past threshold. Calmly increase distance and make the next session easier.
Free educational printable. Not veterinary advice, and not a substitute for your vet's official records or an emergency call. Full disclaimer → · Leer en español →