Dog Reactivity
Reactivity in dogs is a natural RESPONSE, not a behavioral choice. When they become overaroused by a trigger, it’s their nervous system responding, RATHER than an act of defiance. Understanding that a dog's emotional state is vital can make all the difference! By focusing on managing their AROUSAL levels and fostering new, positive associations with those triggers, we can help our furry friends feel more comfortable and confident in their environment. TOGETHER, we can support their journey toward calmness and happiness!
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Tackling Reactive Behaviors
Two Dads' training approach
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Operant and classical conditioning: By creating positive associations with triggers through counter-conditioning, a dog can re-catalog its experiences and learn new behaviors. For example, seeing a dog approaching (the trigger) can lead to a game of tug or a foraging scavenger hunt (the positive outcome), changing the dog's emotional response.
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Building confidence: Reactivity is often linked to a lack of confidence. Two Dads Dog Training recommends using game-based training methods, especially in low-distraction zones like the home, to build a dog's resilience and trust in their owner during a walk.
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Managing the environment: Owners must keep their dog below their threshold to facilitate learning. This means exposing the dog to a trigger for brief periods and gradually increasing the intensity as the dog becomes more comfortable.
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Journaling: Keeping a journal to reflect on their training sessions is a good way to know the trending progress of the game interventions. By evaluating what went well and what could have been done differently, owners can learn to predict better and manage their dog's responses.
