A recent nationwide review of tens of thousands of dog-training requests reveals that many U.S.pet owners may be misunderstanding one of the most frequent canine behavior issues.

Bark Busters,an in-home dog training service,has just released its 2026 U.S.National Dog Behavior Analysis,based on an examination of nearly 50,000 in-home consultation inquiries from American households.The findings paint a broad picture of the behavior problems families are currently dealing with,with reactivity standing out as the top concern.

Although aggression and reactivity together account for the largest portion of training inquiries received by Bark Busters,experts point out that the two are often mixed up.Common indicators of reactivity include pulling or lunging on the leash,intense barking at other dogs or strangers,and growling when startled.

“Many dog owners mistake reactivity for aggression because the outward signs can appear intense and alarming,”Carl Peterson,CEO of Bark Busters USA,told Newsweek via email.“Barking,lunging,and growling feel aggressive,but in many cases they are signs that a dog is overwhelmed and reacting out of surprise,fear,anxiety,or frustration—not with an intent to harm.”