Success Story : Tosca, a Malinois with HSHA, on the path to emotional stability

Some time ago, I talked about the HSHA syndrome (Hypersensitivity-Hyperactivity Syndrome), one of the most common behavioral disorders, which can make daily life very challenging for both dogs and their owners. Today, I want to share Tosca's inspiring journey, a Malinois diagnosed with HSHA, and her owner's, who have made remarkable progress together.

A Daily Struggle...

Tosca reacted violently to many stimuli: pedestrians, bicycles, dogs, trucks… She would bark and charge intensely at their approach. Despite having received solid training, she became completely unmanageable whenever distractions appeared, making recall nearly impossible. Walks had turned into a stressful burden, forcing her owner to always keep her on a leash and avoid crowded places—trapping them both in a vicious cycle.

A Malinois with HSHA

When I first met Tosca, I discovered an affectionate, high-energy dog who was constantly on high alert. She had been referred to me by her veterinary behaviorist, who had diagnosed the HSHA syndrome and prescribed medical treatment. Now that her condition had stabilized, it was time to begin behavioral therapy to help her develop appropriate behaviours in everyday situations.

A Gradual Rehabilitation

With her treatment helping calming her emotions, we were able to start counter-conditioning reactions to triggering stimuli.

Strengthening Recall

We first reinforced her recall by gradually increasing the level of distraction. Playing with her ball—an extremely powerful motivator for her—proved to be a great tool for adjusting the intensity of stimulation and reinforcing her ability to return, even when distractions were present.

Managing Encounters

Next, we worked on so-called "static encounters," allowing her to observe and gradually acclimate to stimuli in a controlled setting. The goal was to show her that she could remain calm in these situations without the need for excessive reactions.

Thanks to the structured exercises in our sessions and her owner’s daily commitment, Tosca gradually learned to better manage her emotions in everyday situations and during walks.

Remarkable Evolution

Today, Tosca can once again enjoy off-leash walks in our beautiful region. Her owner, having regained confidence in both herself and her dog, approaches outings with far more ease. Encounters with other dogs are no longer a source of anxiety, and even the once-dreaded trucks are much easier for her to handle.

Of course, the work is never truly over. In unfamiliar situations, vigilance is still necessary. But the most important thing is that Tosca and her owner have grown together, developing a deep bond and mutual understanding, allowing them to anticipate and navigate new situations as a team.

Congratulations to Tosca and her owner for this incredible progress! 

Reactivity and Behavioral Disorders: A Necessary Awareness

Tosca’s story is also a reminder that not all "reactive" dogs behave this way due to a lack of training or mismanagement by their owners. Some extreme behaviors may be signs of an underlying medical condition, such as HSHA syndrome or other anxiety disorders.

When a dog displays extreme and uncontrollable reactions despite a consistent training framework, it’s essential to consider a medical cause. Only a veterinary behaviorist can provide an accurate diagnosis and, if necessary, suggest an appropriate treatment to help the dog regain emotional balance.

If you have concerns about your dog’s behavior, don’t hesitate to consult a behaviorally trained dog trainer. They can help assess the situation and, if needed, guide you toward an animal health professional.