The Link Between Insecurity and Leash Reactivity

Reactivity is rarely about aggression—it’s often about insecurity. Let that sink in. If your dog explodes on the leash—barking, lunging, growling—don’t assume you’re living with a vicious animal. In most cases, leash reactivity is the emotional output of a dog feeling out of control, under threat, or unsupported. And at the heart of it all? Insecurity.

Why Insecurity Shows Up on the Leash

When a dog is insecure, it operates from a place of defense. On a leash, it’s trapped—unable to flee from perceived threats or control its surroundings. That tension builds until it spills over into reactivity.

And here’s what most owners miss: Many reactive dogs are fine off-leash. Why? Because without the tether, they have freedom to communicate, move, and manage social distance naturally. But on leash, they feel restricted—and that’s where insecurity ignites the fire.

Insecurity Comes from a Lack of Leadership

Your dog doesn’t need you to be a drill sergeant—but they do need you to be their advocate. If you let other dogs rush them at the park, or strangers lean over their head and pet without permission, you’re teaching them a dangerous lesson: "You're on your own." And when a dog feels alone, they become their own protector. They become reactive.

The fastest way to build trust with dogs is by being an advocate for them. Stop pushy dogs and people from invading their space. If they trust you’ll handle it, they’ll stop trying to.

What Does Leash Reactivity Actually Look Like?

• Barking/lunging at dogs or people during walks

• Whining or pacing when passing bikes or strollers

• Overstaring, pulling, growling when a trigger is near

The common thread isn’t the specific trigger—it’s the dog’s belief that it must handle the situation. That’s why we say: "Reactivity is a symptom. Insecurity is the root.”​

The Neuroscience of Reactivity: Stress, Not Strategy

Neuroscientist Gregory Berns, in his studies on canine brain scans, found that dogs experience emotions not unlike humans—especially fear and uncertainty. The amygdala, the brain’s fear center, lights up in dogs when confronted with unpredictable or perceived threats.

When an insecure dog sees a trigger, their brain goes into “protective overdrive.”They’re not making rational decisions. They’re reacting from a place of pure survival instinct. At Peaceful Pack we say: "What you pet is what you get. If you soothe your dog while they’re fearful, you’re reinforcing that fear.”

Insecurity Feeds Off of Chaos

If your dog is constantly left to guess whether it’s safe, whether you’ll step in, or whether that off-leash dog is going to come up again—guess what? They’ll start preemptively reacting just in case. This is why routine, structure, and consistent leadership reduce reactivity dramatically.

"Dogs that feel safe don’t need to defend themselves. Safety begins when the dog trusts the handler will handle it.”— Grisha Stewart, Developer of BAT (Behavior Adjustment Training)

How to Reverse Reactivity by Building Confidence

Here’s the good news:Insecurity is learned. And that means confidence can be trained.

At A Peaceful Pack, we rely on a mix of pressure/release techniques, structured drills, and emotional neutrality to retrain insecure, reactive dogs.

1. Use BAT to Build Social Skills Through Distance

Behavior Adjustment Training allows dogs to make choices from a safe distance. Rather than flooding the dog with stimuli, BAT helps the dog rehearse pro-social behavior and see that calmness makes the trigger go away. BAT empowers dogs to use body language to express discomfort. They learn their signals work, which boosts confidence and reduces stress.

2. Train a Default Behavior

Instead of letting reactivity hijack the moment, teach your dog what to do when triggered. At A Peaceful Pack, we use behaviors like:

• Sit and look at me

• Heel past the trigger

• Place and stay with food reward

This turns reactive patterns into thoughtful ones—and begins to rewire the dog’s brain.

3. Never Reward the Wrong State of Mind

Petting, baby-talking, or allowing eye contact with a trigger in a reactive state tells your dog: “This is the behavior I want.” Instead, use calm leash pressure or e-collar guidance to break the fixation, redirect to a known command, and only reward once the dog’s state of mind has changed. Every time you pet your dog, you reinforce their behavior. This is why thoughtful training must focus on calm, confident communication.

4. Let Exploration Replace Explosion

Reactive dogs often feel powerless, so giving them controlled choices can create new behavioral habits. Encourage your dog to sniff, disengage, or walk away when encountering a trigger. When they make the right choice, reward it. Dogs are encouraged to use natural calming signals instead of aggression. This builds internal coping skills.

Final Thought: Insecurity is a Leadership Opportunity

Reactivity isn’t your dog being stubborn or mean. It’s a cry for help.It’s your dog saying, “I’m not sure what to do, and I don’t feel safe.” When we step in with calm direction, consistent structure, and a training plan that builds confidence, that cry starts to fade. Reactive behavior fades when calm behavior is rewarded. But that calm must begin with you.

References

1. Stewart, Grisha. Behavior Adjustment Training (BAT)

2. Berns, Gregory. How Dogs Love Us: A Neuroscientist and His Adopted Dog Decode the Canine Brain