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Pets Corner: Anxiety in Disguise: What Maple Taught Us About Reactivity
- Jacqui Grant
- Jun 14
- 2 min read
Connect & Grow Magazine: Issue 21 June 2025
One of the biggest things I see dog guardians struggling with in my business is helping their dogs overcome reactivity.
When their dog barks, lunges, or seems to lose it at the slightest trigger, it can feel overwhelming, embarrassing, even defeating, and really lonely.
But here’s the thing: they’re not alone. And more often than not, their dog’s reactivity isn’t aggression. It’s anxiety. And that shift in understanding is the first step toward helping them feel safe in a world that often feels too much.
Not too long ago, Mandy came to me for help with her young dog, Maple. Maple had come from an abusive home at just 16 weeks old. Her nervous system was so tightly wound that she was terrified of nearly everything. Then the Northern NSW floods of 2022 hit, and her stress levels soared even higher. When I met her, she’d bitten three people and was highly reactive to other dogs.
Maple had been put on medication, but it made her miserable - and it didn’t change how anxious she felt around other dogs. Mandy’s life became smaller. She avoided busy areas, walked at odd hours, and carried the weight of constant vigilance on each walk with her.
After years of struggling, Mandy reached out. Unsure if anything could change, but hopeful enough to try.
In our work together, we didn’t try to suppress Maple’s behaviour or stop her from barking and lunging when another dog went past. We did something no one had done before. We listened. We observed her triggers, supported her nervous system, and gave her space to feel safe. We paired good things with the presence of other dogs. Slowly, gently, Maple’s behaviour began to shift.
Eventually, she came off her medication. She even went on holiday with her family - something they never thought possible. And those once-tense walks? They’re now moments of connection, not chaos.
Reactivity isn’t a flaw to be fixed. It’s communication. When we respond with curiosity and compassion instead of control, we help our dogs heal - and we grow alongside them.
Written by
Sarah Rutten
Canine Behaviour Specialist
#1 Amazon Best-Selling Author
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