Reactivity vs. Aggression in Dogs

[@dmydesigns72]

I was bit last year. Never saw it coming. Dog was friendly and came near me. Owner said oh he likes you. I put my hand out for him to sniff b4 i pet him and he took my hand in his mouth. Happened so fast. There was a lot of blood. I went into shock. No growling or barking. No warning. I'm a huge animal person. This changed me. I can't even pet a cat now, let alone a dog.😢

[@joshmorgan4790]

Honestly, it sometimes feels like there's a reluctance to use the term "aggression" among dog trainers, who seem to cater to public sensitivities. The distinction between aggression and reactivity often appears to be a false dichotomy in the dog training community, leading to a confusing conversation. Why don't trainers simply acknowledge, "Yes, the dog is aggressive," and then clarify whether it's proactive or reactive aggression? For example, a reactive dog that tries to run away with its tail between its legs is a completely different issue compared to a dog that becomes scared and starts snapping and lunging. While the solutions might be similar, recognising the nuances is crucial. And the same way we don’t label anything as aggression anymore, everything gets labelled at reactivity without distinction of what the reaction is.