Reactive Dog Training in Pittsburgh & Online Resilience Coaching
Reactivity in dogs is a natural response, not a choice. When dogs get overaroused by a trigger, it's their nervous system reacting, not defiance. Understanding this emotional state is vital. By managing arousal levels and promoting positive associations with triggers, we can help our furry friends feel more comfortable and confident, supporting their journey towards calmness and happiness!
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Understanding Leash Reactivity: A Nervous System Response
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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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Building confidence: Reactivity is often linked to low 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 its owner during walks.
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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 scavenger-hunt foraging activity (the positive outcome), thereby changing the dog's emotional response.
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This aspect of reactivity comes after management and confidence have been addressed.
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Download our e-Book: Protocol: Controlled Exposure Dog to Dog (Outdoors).
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Journaling: Keeping a journal to reflect on training sessions is a good way to track the 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.
Our 4-Step Framework for Tackling Reactive Behaviors
6-Week Online Resilience Bootcamp for Reactive Dogs
Class Overview
Struggling with lunging, barking, or high-stress walks? You aren’t alone, and your dog isn’t "bad." This 100% online, 6-week program is designed to give you the tools to manage your dog’s reactivity from the safety and comfort of your own home—the environment where your dog learns best.
By removing the stress of a physical classroom (where triggers are everywhere), we focus on building a rock-solid foundation of focus and trust before you ever hit the sidewalk.
Learn more by joining the next FREE introductory meeting.
Why Online?
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Zero Stress: No "parking lot meltdowns." Your dog stays sub-threshold so they can actually learn.
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Expert Eyes: Receive personalized feedback on video of your actual training sessions.
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Community Support: Connect with other owners who truly "get it" in our private student forum.
