One of the reasons I wanted to write Reactive to Regulated is because reactive behaviour is often misunderstood.
Owners frequently describe their dog as stubborn, dominant, disobedient, or deliberately ignoring them. In reality, many reactive dogs are simply struggling to cope with the situation they find themselves in.
When a dog is barking, lunging, growling, or becoming overwhelmed, it is easy to focus entirely on the behaviour itself. However, behaviour does not occur in isolation. Every behaviour is influenced by a combination of genetics, learning history, emotional state, environmental factors, and the dog’s perception of what is happening around them.
This is why two dogs can encounter the same situation and respond completely differently.
One dog may remain relaxed and engaged with their owner, another may become anxious, frustrated, or reactive. Understanding the difference is often the first step towards meaningful change.
Why Dog Owners Receive So Much Conflicting Advice
The dog training world contains many different schools of thought.
Owners may be told to use food, avoid food, correct behaviour, ignore behaviour, increase structure, provide more freedom, increase socialisation, reduce socialisation, or any number of other approaches.
Many of these recommendations contain elements of truth, but they are often presented as complete solutions when behaviour is usually far more complex.
Over the years, I have spent thousands of hours studying canine behaviour and working with dogs displaying a wide range of behavioural challenges. Throughout that process, I became increasingly interested in the question:
What are the common principles that sit beneath successful behaviour change?
One of the conclusions I repeatedly returned to was that emotional state matters.
- Dogs learn differently when they are calm than when they are overwhelmed
- They make different decisions
- They process information differently
- And they respond differently to training
A Practical Framework Rather Than a Quick Fix
The purpose of Reactive to Regulated is not to provide a collection of shortcuts or quick fixes.
Instead, the book aims to provide a framework for understanding behaviour.
By understanding why behaviour occurs, owners are better equipped to make informed decisions, adapt training to the individual dog, and create long-term change.
The book combines practical experience, behavioural science, learning theory, neuroscience, and real-world case studies to create a structured approach that can be applied across a wide range of behavioural challenges.
Rather than focusing solely on stopping unwanted behaviour, the emphasis is placed on developing calmer, more resilient, and more emotionally regulated dogs.
Who Is This Book For?
This book was written for:
- Owners living with reactive dogs
- Owners experiencing frustration, anxiety, or behavioural challenges
- Trainers and behaviour professionals looking to broaden their understanding
- Rescue and welfare organisations
- Anyone interested in canine behaviour and learning
Whether your dog struggles with barking, lunging, over-arousal, frustration, anxiety, or simply finds aspects of everyday life difficult, the principles explored within the book are designed to help create a clearer understanding of what may be happening beneath the surface.
Learn More
For owners, trainers, behaviour professionals, and anyone interested in understanding canine behaviour more deeply, Reactive to Regulated explores these ideas in greater detail and provides practical strategies for helping dogs become calmer, more confident, and more emotionally regulated.
The book examines the underlying causes of reactive behaviour, the role of emotional state in learning and decision-making, and practical approaches for creating meaningful and lasting behavioural change.
📖 Purchase the book on Amazon
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0H4BQDZ7Q
📰 Read the press coverage
https://ipsnews.net/business/2026/06/19/oxford-based-dog-behaviour-specialist-publishes-new-book-challenging-traditional-approaches-to-dog-reactivity/
About the Author
Anthony is the founder of Oxford Dog Training Company and author of Reactive to Regulated: A Calm, Clear and Controlled Approach to Dog Reactivity.
Over the course of his career, Anthony has worked with thousands of dogs and accumulated over a decade of practical experience helping owners address behavioural challenges including reactivity, aggression, anxiety, frustration, over-arousal, and impulse-control issues.
Drawing on behavioural science, learning theory, neuroscience, and extensive real-world case experience, Anthony’s work focuses on helping dogs become calmer, more confident, and better equipped to cope with the demands of everyday life.
Through one-to-one consultations, educational programmes, writing, and public outreach, he continues to promote a deeper understanding of canine behaviour and the relationship between emotional state, learning, and lasting behavioural change.