Loading leads to reactivity..
I often compare rehabbing reactive dogs to actual drug/alcohol rehab, because the process is similar. We don’t wait until the dog is already at the end of the leash exploding and going after a dog to communicate to it, just like we don’t wait til someone is at the bar to remind them they’re trying to get sober. We stop the initial THOUGHT of wanting to do it.
This is why recognizing arousal and timing are extremely important when you’re working with explosive dogs. The beginning stages typically look so harmless, “the dog is just looking, what’s the big deal?” Except it is a big deal. We know exactly where it’s going to go. We all know if we don’t interrupt that thought in that exact moment how quickly it can escalate, and we all know exactly what it looks and feels like to have your dog at the end of the leash lunging...and this is why I stress markers so much. As long as you mark that exact moment with your pre-cursor to a punisher, you buy yourself some time to follow through with the correction and the dog will absolutely connect the dots. So what if your verbal cue was enough to disengage the dog? You still follow through with the correction because a verbal word means nothing to the dog until you teach it. You could say “broccoli” and the dog may look at you, but did it learn anything? No. Not unless broccoli was followed by a correction, or a reward. The word means whatever we train it to mean.
It really just boils down to being able to recognize the first signs of your dog becoming aroused, and stopping that behavior right then and there. You will actually teach the dog that the thought of reacting is not a good choice, and then you get to teach it everything else you’d rather it do instead! But if the dog has never actually been told not to be reactive, all you will be doing is chasing behaviors and never truly changing them. Rehab is a long process. It’s full of a ton of learning opportunities for the dog. But step one is always this: let’s show you exactly what we don’t want you doing anymore, and we set our goals accordingly from there.
This clip is from my Oahu, Hawaii 2019 seminar. I love traveling the world and helping people.
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Solid K9 Training, founded by award-winning, internationally-acclaimed dog trainer Jeff Gellman, is one of the nations most effective and respected dog training services providing no-nonsense, "Real World" training methods throughout New England. Serving dog owners from Hartford, CT to Boston, MA in our multifaceted, secure and 24/7 staffed Solid K9 Training Center in Providence, RI, as well as all throughout the nation with Jeff's wildly successful RV Dog Trainer Tour. We will train any dog, regardless of breed, shape, size or history. We work to fix all dog behavior issues including excessive barking, growling, snapping, nipping, dog aggression (fighting), human aggression (biting), child aggression, pulling on leash, leash aggression, leash reactivity, skateboard reactivity, resource guarding, jumping on people, fear issues, anxiety issues, separation anxiety, chewing and destroying household items, running away, not listening, door bolting, stealing food, getting into the trash, cat aggression, chasing game, and killing animals/game. We also have a renowned reputation specializing in obedience training, which includes heeling and walking properly on a leash, sit/stay, down/stay, place, recall training (come to owner), and crate training. Our Training services include Board and Train behavioral modification, 1 on 1 Training, Obedience Classes, Puppy Training programs, Boarding / Board & Play, Daycare, and many free dog training resources including Dog training advice videos, dog training webinars, and Dog Training Q and A videos on Youtube Live weekly. Our behavior modification training is cutting edge, using techniques like modern low level E-collar (remote collar) training and food and clicker training. Solid K9 Training has a worldwide reputation of being able to handle the most challenging dog behaviors and often times other dog trainers will refer their more serious cases to us.
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