32: Why Your Dog Reacts (And What It’s Trying to Tell You) with Mena Lopes
About this episode
This episode discusses dog reactivity with behaviorist Mena Lopes, focusing on understanding underlying issues and practical training tips.
Have you ever felt your stomach tighten the moment another dog appears on a walk? This episode is for you. We sat down with dog behaviorist Mena Lopes to talk about reactivity, what it actually is, why it happens, and why it’s so often misunderstood. What we kept coming back to is this: it’s not about having a “bad dog.” It’s about understanding what’s going on underneath the behavior. We also get into potty training, regression (because yes, that happens), and how to stay kind to yourself on the harder days, the ones where nothing seems to be working. Guest Bio: Mena Lopes is a dog trainer and behaviorist, and the founder of Ginger’s Way in Dubai. Originally trained in conservation biology, her work today focuses on helping dogs and their humans navigate things like reactivity, anxiety, and everyday challenges, in a way that feels practical, supportive, and realistic. Takeaways: Reactivity isn’t random, it’s often rooted in fear, stress, or uncertainty Your dog isn’t doing it on purpose (even when it feels like it) Progress takes time, much longer than most people expect Understanding your dog changes how you respond Small signals matter more than the big reactions Potty…
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