Reactivity isn’t a behavior problem, it’s misdirected drive.
When a dog reacts, they’re not “losing control,” they’re fully locked into an obsession that has no purpose. That energy can’t be removed, corrected away, or magically shut down. It must be redirected. The reason most reactive dogs don’t respond to food, commands, or tools in the moment is simple: they’ve never been taught how to switch drives and apply that energy into alignment. Real progress doesn’t come from suppression or avoidance, it comes from building the skills that allow your dog to disengage from chaos and move with you, on purpose.
From Zero to Hero
We had to share this because it shows what’s possible when someone refuses to quit. One of our students began below zero; reactive dogs, no engagement, no clear outlet, no food or toy drive, none of the “advantages” people use as reasons not to train. Instead of treating that as an excuse, she treated it as raw material. She built source focus from nothing, created drive with control, replaced avoidance with engagement, and brought clarity to chaos. Step by step, the dogs changed, but more importantly, she did. Today, she is certified, her dogs are stable, engaged, and reliable, they live safely with her family, and she can switch drive instead of managing explosions. This isn’t luck, talent, or a shortcut. It’s proof that “below zero” is still a starting point, and that real work creates real change.
