Kinds of Training: Reactivity
Dog reactivity is perhaps the most common behavioral issue I see. The underlying cause plays a big role in the length of time needed to address it. Often it's from over excitement but it can also be caused by fear and anxiety.
Big Sir Franklin |
Big Sir Franklin, who goes by "B", was reactive to dogs on leash, and to men, and to high energy environments, and a little separation anxiety to boot. Underneath that reactivity was an anxious dog who needed more guidance from his owners to help relieve that anxiety.
After a 3-week board and train where he developed strong impulse control and the ability to relax even in high distraction environments, B was ready to go home. Once there, his owners leveraged those new life skills of his as well as his newly acquired rock-solid obedience to establish a new, leadership relationship with him. Just two weeks later, they were confidently walking B past other dogs in busy downtown Los Gatos with the narrow sidewalks and lots and lots of dogs. Fast forward five months later and I'm still getting updates from B's owners: B at work with his dad, B on a hike with a friend -- his owners weren't even there! Common thread is that B is included in his family's life and activities because he's reliably calm and relaxed in any situation... and still has his charming personality! |
In the photos below you'll see dogs practicing discipline in all kinds of scenarios. Sometimes their job is as simple as holding a Sit on a busy street corner. No matter how simple the task, the impact of practicing discipline is similar to the psychological benefits we get from our work. It stimulates their minds and gives them a sense of satisfaction. The job doesn't need to be as complex as running an agility course (although that's a lot of fun if you get the chance!), you can infuse work into every day tasks like putting him in a Downstay while you get the kids off to school. These simple changes to your every day routine will significantly improve your dog's overall behavior.
One of the things I see owners struggle with is differentiating between love and affection. Love takes many forms and only showing it through affection is shortchanging your dog. Giving leadership and discipline are powerful ways of showing your dog love that will also greatly improve his behavior.
I encourage you to shift your thinking from training as a finite activity to something more akin to how children are raised. Kids are expected to do a myriad of tasks every day -- from sitting respectfully in class at school, to sitting politely at the dinner table, to getting their homework done. Expecting equivilant behavior from your dog provides him discipline and structure. Just as we reinforce our expectations of our kids' behavior, we will have much better behaved dogs if we both expect and reinforce our expectations of their behavior. Having a well behaved dog is practicing little acts of leadership and discipline every day. It's the little things, and they're cumulative.
One of the things I see owners struggle with is differentiating between love and affection. Love takes many forms and only showing it through affection is shortchanging your dog. Giving leadership and discipline are powerful ways of showing your dog love that will also greatly improve his behavior.
I encourage you to shift your thinking from training as a finite activity to something more akin to how children are raised. Kids are expected to do a myriad of tasks every day -- from sitting respectfully in class at school, to sitting politely at the dinner table, to getting their homework done. Expecting equivilant behavior from your dog provides him discipline and structure. Just as we reinforce our expectations of our kids' behavior, we will have much better behaved dogs if we both expect and reinforce our expectations of their behavior. Having a well behaved dog is practicing little acts of leadership and discipline every day. It's the little things, and they're cumulative.