Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you buy through them, I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you to help keep the blog running. I only recommend products I truly love.
When I first started my journey with a reactive dog, I was overwhelmed by all the gear, tools, and advice out there.
I had one trainer telling me "that won't work" or "this is the best", and another saying the contrary, and basically overhauling our entire gear setup.
It's difficult to find tools that actually work when there are so many varying opinions out there. So, what actually works? What’s just marketing fluff?
Over time (and many online orders later…), I started building a list of products that genuinely helped us feel safer, more confident, and more in control.
Being in control is especially important, because our reactive dog is a giant breed weighing almost the same weight as myself, so I needed equipment that would assist me in maintaining control during any potential reactive outbursts.
The result? Well, here's an introduction to the 'Ultimate Gear Guide for Reactive Dogs'.
This guide is a lovingly curated collection of everything that’s made a real difference on our walks, in training, and in day-to-day life. All of these products I've laid my hands on and used, or I have first-hand experience seeing being used by others in our dog training group (and obviously thought the gear worked phenomenally).
From muzzles and harnesses to puzzle toys and books that changed how I understood my reactive dog, it’s all here.
Owning a reactive dog isn't always easy. My goal with this guide is to help anyone else out there dealing with the day-to-day struggles and to provide a shortcut to finding what works.
Life with a reactive dog isn’t always straightforward, so having the right tools can make a huge difference, and it definitely did for us.
Every product in this guide is something that’s helped us feel a little safer, calmer, or more connected on our walks and in training, and I truly hope they can help you too.
This list is a living, growing resource. I’ll be updating it regularly as we discover new favourites that make life easier for both ends of the lead.
If you’ve got a go-to product that’s helped your reactive pup, feel free to share! I love hearing from other reactive dog owners.
Hi, I’m Freya. I’ve shared my life with working breed dogs for over 15 years, but my current journey with my reactive Saint Bernard, Jess, has been my steepest learning curve yet. Managing 65kg of reactivity requires more than just treats. It requires a deep understanding of dog psychology, immense patience, and a constant eye on safety. By day, I work as a corporate lawyer, but my heart is in the outdoors and nature. I created TheBarkBlogto bridge the gap between technical training advice and the lived reality of navigating the UK countryside with a reactive "giant." My goal is to combine my professional eye for detail with my personal experience to help you and your dog live a calmer, more confident life together.
Meet the Author
