![]() Creating a safe distance and using barriers are much more effective. Tugging on the leash or keeping it too taut will only make a reactive dog feel more trapped. ![]() Often, pet parents shorten the leash when they see a trigger.Training will be ineffective unless your behavior and treat distribution are consistent.These are some other common mistakes pet parents make when training a reactive dog: When the reactive dog feels the taut leash, they often feel the only way out is to attack, resulting in lunging or snarling. ![]() When you leash a reactive dog, they feel that they lose control. While some dogs are always reactive to triggers, others struggle only while on leashes specifically. Slowly, over time, allow the dog to go closer and closer to the trigger while offering a treat when they stay calm and don't react.This conditions the dog to associate the trigger with the yummy treat instead of danger. When your dog sees the trigger, you give them a treat.Familiarizing the pup with their trigger makes it less novel and exciting. Take the reactive dog to a park where they are within eyesight of triggers but far enough away to not react.It should be a special treat such as chicken, bacon bits, or cheese bits. Pick out a high-value treat your dog loves.For example, if your dog is triggered by large dogs, you must reprogram your reactive dog to have a positive association with large dogs, but how? Luckily, there are some steps to take. There are professional dog trainers who specialize in reactive dogs, but if you would like to undertake the task of reactive dog training yourself, there are some things to keep in mind.įirst, to modify the dog's behavior, you must reassociate the meaning of the trigger to the dog. While managing reactivity is a good step, the goal is to eventually modify the behavior using reactive dog training. Coming back to the same area will help the reactive dog feel safe. As they walk, they sniff and familiarize themselves with the area. Long walks around the same location help a dog feel secure.If the dog shows signs of reactivity on walks, try walking in low-traffic areas or at times of day that are less busy.While this may seem counterintuitive, a short lead makes a reactive dog feel trapped, increasing anxiety. This can mean walking the dog across the street when you see another dog coming, putting an obstacle between the dog's viewpoint so they can’t see the trigger, or going home when the reactive dog shows signs of anxiety. Avoid stressful situations when you sense your dog is anxious or showing signs of aggression. ![]() While your reactive dog is in training, managing the reactivity is key. While training a reactive dog is the end goal, it's process that can't be rushed. When your dog encounters a trigger, it might first exhibit these signs:īy scolding, the reaction may worsen, resulting in: In this state, your dog is exhibiting calm, friendly behavior, including: Resist the temptation! Your dog deserves to live their happiest, healthiest life. Sometimes dog owners do not know effective strategies to coach their pup or give up after losing hope.
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