Why Won’t My Reactive Dog Sit When Triggered? The hidden pressure behind one of the simplest cues

In this video, I’m breaking down one of the most common strategies people use when working with reactive dogs—asking them to sit in the middle of a trigger moment—and why, in most cases, it just doesn’t work.

If you’ve ever tried to get your reactive dog to sit when they’re barking, lunging, or completely overwhelmed by their environment, you’ll know how frustrating it can be. You’re asking for a cue they know really well… but they just can’t do it. It’s not because they’re being stubborn—it’s because their brain is no longer thinking clearly.

We’ll talk about:
The difference between a thinking brain and a reactive brain
Why your dog can't sit when they’re over threshold
The pressure this puts on both you and your dog
When is the right time to ask for a sit
How to find the “sweet spot” for successful training
What to do instead of sitting when your dog is triggered

We’ve all been in that moment where our dog just won’t listen, and it’s easy to question yourself or your training. But I promise—your dog isn’t being difficult on purpose. They’re just overwhelmed.

I’ll help you understand why the sit cue often fails in reactive situations, and how to turn it into a useful tool when the time and distance are right. Because once you understand what’s really happening in your dog’s brain, everything changes—for the better.

If you’ve got questions or experiences to share, pop them in the comments below. I always love hearing from you.

Take care, and I’ll see you in the next video!

Reactive Quiz Link: https://www.gooddoggie.co.uk/reactive...

00:00 - Introduction
00:23 - Not a BAD plan that I get asked to fix
01:28 - The reactive brain
05:54 - Even if he can...
08:17 - Frustrating at best
09:06 - When can you ask?
10:39 - A better time

You might also be interested in these blogs:

Rehabilitating a reactive dog: https://www.gooddoggie.co.uk/rehabili...

What is fight or flight in dog behaviour? : https://www.gooddoggie.co.uk/what-is-...

Also check out my Free Reactive Behaviour Support Group:
www.facebook.com/groups/475509291233979

New!!! Reactive Dog Behaviour: Roadmap to Recovery...
Solve your dogs reactive behaviour once and for all; the same great advice I give my clients, but in one, easy to follow guidebook, safe in the knowledge that I'm only a WhatsApp away if you get stuck!
More info: https://learn.gooddoggie.co.uk/produc...

Subscribe:
   / @gooddoggiebehaviourtraining  

Courses:
learn.gooddoggie.co.uk

Get in Touch:
www.gooddoggie.co.uk

Follow Me:
www.facebook.com/gooddoggie9
www.twitter.com/gooddoggie9

A rescue dog and trauma specialist; Caroline has been solving canine behaviour and training problems since 2004. Over the past 20 years she has tried and tested her own set of techniques that are designed to help you restore balance and calm to your dog, in a kind and positive way.

#reactivedog #reactivedogbehaviour #reactivedogtraining

#dogbehaviourist #dogtrainingtips #dogtrainingadvice #dogbehaviourtraining #forcefreedogtraining #dogtrainer #dogtrainerslife #professionaldogtrainer #dogbehaviourvideo #rescuedog