Know exactly what to do when your dog reacts.
K9 Academy's illustrated playbook for reactive dogs: the tools, the skills, and step-by-step walk-throughs for 27 real-life situations, from the doorbell to an off-leash dog running at you.
- 27 real-life situations, each in illustrated steps, with what not to do
- The tools we use, from the prong collar to e-collar levels, and how to set them up
- 8 skills to teach, from the emergency down to the U-turn
- What a fair correction is, and why reactive dogs need clear boundaries
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95 pages · 8.3 MB
Sound familiar?
Reactivity isn’t a bad-dog problem. It’s a coping problem.
“My heart drops when an off-leash dog runs at us.”
The playbook walks you through it: a loose dog approaching, a chaotic dog, and a dog reacting inside or outside your bubble, step by step.
“He loses it at the window and the doorbell.”
Home has its own section: someone walking past the house, a delivery person, a knock at the door, and someone stopping to chat outside.
“We tried treats. He won’t even look at them.”
Food redirection shifts the focus onto the treat instead of the fixation. The playbook explains why, and what to do about the fixation instead.
“Everyone says to body-block or tuck him between my legs.”
Both feel helpful in the moment. The playbook explains why they often backfire: they shelter the dog instead of teaching them to cope.
How it works
From understanding to a plan for every walk
- 01
Understand why
Reactivity is a stress response and a skill gap: emotion, handler tension, overexposure and a lack of structure.
- 02
Set up your gear
The tools we use and why, e-collar power levels, and how to set up the prong, e-collar and backup strap.
- 03
Learn the skills
Eight skills to teach, from the pull-over sit to the emergency down, and three that aren’t as useful as you’d think.
- 04
Follow the playbook
Find the situation you’re facing and follow the illustrated steps, with what not to do alongside.
Take a look inside
Every situation, drawn step by step
- 27 situations
- Tools and gear setup
- 8 skills
- Sidewalk and leash rules
- What not to do
- Corrections explained
From the playbook
Step by step, situation by situation
On the sidewalk
Passing another dog
Move your dog to the side furthest from the other dog and keep walking in heel without tensing the leash. If your dog stiffens or reacts, correct firmly and keep moving.
At home
The doorbell rings
Stop the reaction with a firm correction, send your dog away from the door, and put them on place or in a down-stay until you release them.
Off leash
A loose dog comes at you
Sit your dog at your side, step forward and use your body as a calm barrier, and correct your dog if they react.
Around town
Waiting at a crosswalk
Sit your dog before the curb and hold it. If they stand, lean or fixate, correct and reset, then release into heel to cross.
What’s inside
Everything in the playbook
- p. 2
How to use this book
Start with awareness, follow the visual walk-throughs, and revisit sections as you need them
- p. 5
Why reactivity happens
The emotions behind it, handler tension, overexposure, common triggers and a lack of structure
- p. 9
Tools you may need
Prong collar, e-collar, dominant dog collar, retractable leash, slip leash, e-collar power levels and food value
- p. 17
Skills you should have
Pull-over sit, emergency down, U-turn with a leash pop or e-collar, down-stay, behind, create space, and heel
- p. 25
Skills that aren’t as useful as you think
The middle position, body blocking and food redirection, and why they backfire
- p. 28
Corrections
What a correction is, why you need to correct, and why you may feel against it
- p. 31
Gear setup and the rules
Proper gear setup, sidewalk rules, leash rules and proper walking position
- p. 35
Doors and elevators
Walking through a door and entering an elevator, with what not to do
- p. 44
On the sidewalk
Off-leash and chaotic dogs, passing dogs, people and bikes, pulling over, patios, and dogs reacting near you
- p. 64
At home
People walking past, delivery people, the doorbell, and someone stopping outside your house
- p. 72
Around town and on trails
Parked cars, blind corners, building exits, crosswalks, crowds, fences, tied-up dogs, trails, wildlife and toys
This is for you if…
- Your dog barks, lunges or fixates at dogs, people, bikes or the door
- You want to know exactly what to do in the moment, not just theory
- You use, or are open to using, a prong collar or e-collar
- You learn best from pictures and numbered steps
It’s not for you if…
- You only want reward-based training. The playbook uses corrections with prong collars and e-collars, and explains why.
- Your dog has bitten a person or another dog. Work with a trainer first; we offer a free phone assessment at 437-778-5273.
Who wrote it
Written by the trainers at K9 Academy
K9 Academy has trained dogs in Toronto since 2011, more than 10,000 of them in person. This playbook puts the tools, skills and situations we work through with reactive dogs into pictures you can follow on your own walks.
What owners say about our reactivity training
These are reviews of K9 Academy’s reactivity training.
★★★★★
“We can't thank or recommend K9 Academy enough.”
“It's because of these folks that we have essentially been gifted a new dog. Our reactive, anxious rescue is now calm, confident, and a joy to walk. The transformation was beyond what we thought possible.”
Andrew M.Rescue Mix owner · Mississauga, ON★★★★★
“I'd give 6 stars if I could!”
“We honestly can't believe Simba is the same dog. The reactivity is gone. He walks past other dogs like they don't exist. If you're on the fence — just do it. We wasted months trying other things first.”
Hugh M.Golden Retriever owner · Toronto, ON★★★★★
“What a difference! I feel like a dream came true.”
“My dog's obedience is 100% better. The structured approach made all the difference — I finally understood WHY my dog was reactive and exactly what to do about it. Can't recommend enough.”
S. IndrawesShepherd Mix owner · Brampton, ONEverything you get
The Reactivity Playbook
- The 95-page illustrated playbook (landscape PDF)
- 27 real-life situations, step by step, with what not to do
- The tools we use, e-collar levels, and proper gear setup
- 8 skills to teach, and 3 that aren’t as useful as you’d think
- Sidewalk rules, leash rules and proper walking position
- Instant PDF download, yours to keep
One private lesson with a trainer costs $225 or more.
The playbook:$28
One payment · instant download
Want to see it done? Take the video course
The Reactivity Program
Stop the barking, lunging and losing it on leash — with a protocol that holds up in public, not just in your living room.
- 14 lessons on video
- The Reactivity Playbook comes with it, plus 7 more downloads
- Watch at your own pace, on any device
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Is this a physical book?
No. It's a 95-page landscape PDF you download straight after checkout, laid out to read on a tablet or computer.
Does it use corrections?
Yes. The playbook uses fair, well-timed corrections, mostly through a prong collar or e-collar, and explains what a correction is, why reactive dogs need them, and why you may feel uneasy about them.
Do I need an e-collar?
Some situations use one, like reactions at the window and the e-collar U-turn; others use a prong collar or slip leash. The tools section explains each. New to a prong or e-collar? Book a session with one of our trainers first.
How is it different from The Ultimate Leash Walking Guide?
The guide explains the method in depth across 18 chapters. The playbook is the quick reference: what to do in each situation, in pictures, step by step.
What if it doesn't help?
You're covered by our 30-day money back guarantee. Email info@k9academy.ca for a full refund.
Have a plan for every walk
Download The Reactivity Playbook, read the sidewalk and leash rules, and pick the one situation that trips you up most.
30-day money back guarantee · Instant download
The Reactivity Playbook
$28 · instant download