Reactive Dog Revolution
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.
Fear based On-leash reactivity is 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-excited Reactivity 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 Reactivity 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 Reactivity 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 boot camp, 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. Fence line 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.
This 6 hour in person boot camp 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 (BTL) The method I will teach you is based on a few different methods and techniques, 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.
The class begins the evening of 3/13 from 6 to 8 PM
The second day of class is 3/14 from 9:00 to 11:00 AM
The last day of Boot camp is 3/15 from 9:00 to 11:00 AM
Cost is $425.00 for the 6 hour boot camp and is taught by 2 qualified instructors, with a maximum of 6 students.
For more information and to register:
https://www.honeybook.com/widget/mac_dog_trainer_197340/cf_id/6931ee04453b20002986ad90
Also check out other Workshops in Sherwood, Nonprofit events in Sherwood.
