REACTIVE DOG BOOT CAMP - North County San Diego
What the heck is Dog Reactivity?
This seems to be currently a catch all "Dog Trainer Buzzword" that you hear more and more every day! However, there are some very specific behaviors displayed, and associated with true dog reactivity. I will share with you what behaviors I typically see, and help to modify these behaviors. Below are some common types of Reactivity that I have seen and helped to modify.
On-leash Reactive
When a dog exhibits behaviors characterized by pulling, aggressive barking, lunging, growling, air snapping, or sometimes even biting the dog, or redirecting onto you.behaviors when presented with whatever stimuli triggers their extreme on-leash response. This is an emotional response, and is FEAR ON LEASH. This is the most common Reactivite Dog behavior that I see and help with. It is also a behavior that I understand personally,, and know the frustration, embarrassment, and confusion as to why this is happening. Quite simply put, this is Fear on the Leash. When our dog's are attached to us, they are unable to go into the Fight, Flight or Freeze Response, which is a survival response. When on leash they are trapped and tethered to us, and we also go into this response, they feel it down the leash, and it confirms for them that there truly is a threat. I call this response that they display a Proactive Response - they are quite literally asking the trigger to give them space, and to go away, and guess what it works! People move quickly away from Reactive Dogs. The dog sees that this works, thus reinforcing the behavior. Then they practice this over, and over, and get really good at asking for space.........meanwhile we melt.
Over-excitement Reactive
Sometimes an overexcited state of mind creates a reaction to pull the owner to greet dogs, people, children on the leash, that may not necessarily want to be greeted. They whine, pull, pant, spin and lose their minds when they cannot go say hello! This type of reactivity typically stems from over greeting rituals on leash, as a puppy or young adolescent dog. This is such a hard one for people because they know their dog is sweet and friendly, and they believe that this is the proper way to socialize a dog when they are young, however it is unfortunately misinformation and will often lead to this behavior. Creating value on leash with you, as the most prized interaction, and practicing neutrality on leash, when seeing the triggers is essential to helping with this behavior.
Prey Drive Reactive
This is typically characterized by lunging, pulling and sometimes trying to snap, or bite at a trigger passing by them, and sometimes even redirecting onto you. These triggers are usually bicycles, skateboards, scooters, e-bikes, joggers, loud vehicles, motorcycles, strollers, and small prey such as squirrels, birds, and cats. The dog will suddenly lunge, and pull hard (go into prey drive), and if able to will chase down the thing that sets off this physiological response. Most people will be caught off guard and can be pulled unexpectedly, and often leads to injuries.
Sensory Reactive
This usually presents itself with dogs that have a high prey drive. The things that I see typically are dogs that are TV reactive, sensitive or on high alert to sounds or noises, especially fast moving and unexpected noises (like cars, motorcycles and trucks)
Protective/Territorial Reactive
This can typically be seen in your home at a front window, fenceline, or even when a stranger approaches you. This type of reactivity is very individualized, often needs more of a 1 on 1 behavior modification, although I will give you some free training advice in this class to help you with understanding those behaviors, and some tools and options to help curtail some of them. I have had several clients go through the Bootcamp, and use my suggestions, and they have reported back to me that the in-home reactivity at the windows, and personal space reactivity has lessened greatly. They are continuing to work on it, and check in with me. Fenceline Reactivity/ Barrier Frustration is extremely difficult to address effectively in a class environment, but I will discuss what I have done with my own personal dogs. You can also schedule a private in-home appointment while I am in your area.
Class Curriculum
This 6 hour in person bootcamp is for those that suffer in this often frustrated and alone. It is confusing, embarrassing, and it can change so much of the life, and the relationship between the dog and owner. The method that I will teach you and your dog uses zero treats to redirect, no prong collars, no e-collars, and no aggressive, or rough training methods. I call this method, Trust On Leash (TOL) The method I will teach you is based on a few different methods and techniques, such as Natural Horsemanship, The Trust Technique, and Leading through the Leash. I have merged a bit of each of these methods that I have studied and been taught, and use them in conjunction with my 26 years of working with dogs in animal behavior and dog training. I am happy that with this Method I have now been able to successfully help 100's, and 100's of dogs and their owners. It takes work, it is a shift, and it is a game changer.
Book as soon as you register! CLASS ONE: Scheduled before the weekend boot camp begins. In person 1 hour of private 1:1 in person training with me.
Mechanics of the Tool and Method
This is to learn the basics of the mechanics and prepare you for the in person class that begins that weekend. I also can get to know you and your dogs and help address other specific types of reactivity that you may be struggling with. This has so much to do with our relationship with our dog that this is a critical first step. I will be teaching you the body language and leadwork mechanics to prepare you for the in person class. We will not be using a Prong collar, an e-collar, or distraction methods (u-turns and or treat tossing).
12/13 2:00 to 4:30 PM CLASS TWO: 2.5 hours
Building Trust on and through the Leash - Leash to the Dog = Hand to the Child
We will be learning to walk our dogs on the new tool and learn the first principles and physical techniques in order to help our dogs through their triggers and fears. It will be loud at first, as each new dog joins the circle, and for some people it will be a bit overwhelming, but we will get through this part and slowly start to calm and walk fluidly with our dogs at a distance from each other. We will begin by facing our fears that day and learning what support on leash means by putting it into practice. We will be learning a few homework drills that day to work over the next several weeks.
12/14 2:00 to 4:30 PM CLASS THREE: 2.5 hours
LOOK-LOCK-LOAD-LAUNCH - Triggers!
We will be facing more of our fears, and triggers using systematic exposure, and desensitization, to help our dogs through those other triggers such as people, kids playing, skateboarders, joggers, people, people walking dogs, motorcycles and cars. In this session you will be learning how to walk and support your dog through each of these challenging triggers .Teaching you to be more valuable, then the trigger, or the cookie you just tossed on the ground for them to find, and also to learn to trust you on leash to guide and protect them. To be able to physically control your dog (without harsh corrections or tools, but rather learn to flow with you on leash, moving forward together.
The Cost of this 6 hour Bootcamp is $450.00, and space is limited. The link below will lead you to the Registration and also some pertinent behavioral questions.
https://www.honeybook.com/widget/mac_dog_trainer_197340/cf_id/63d993d4ed0bee1477d81a29
Also check out other Workshops in Carlsbad, Nonprofit events in Carlsbad, Kids events & activities in Carlsbad.
