Peeling off the “Reactive Dog” Label – How to Help Clients Manage On-leash Interactions Inside and Outside of the Clinic Environment?

In this presentation, we will explore some common dog-to-dog issues veterinary staff encounters in clinics, with the main focus on understanding and managing leash reactivity in- and outside of the clinic environment. Vet nurses and technicians are first respondents not just in case of pet emergencies, but also when communicating with clients about their dogs’ well-being. Emotional well-being is just as important as physical health, but owners of reactive dogs may feel embarrassed about their dog’s behaviour to ask for help. Or they may not know how to recognise earlier signs and manage reactive behaviour. The outcome of this talk is to empower vet nurses and technicians to provide useful, force-free and practical advice to clients on how to manage dog-to-dog interactions inside and outside of the clinic environment.