Reactivity Training with Billy – Foundation Steps
In this video you will meet Billy the Saluki X. Isn’t she a stunner?!
I recently did some training with Billy and her owners to help with her lead reactivity – Billy barks and jumps around when she sees another dog and it is quite embarrassing for her owners (and probably a little stressful for the other dog/dog owner walking by).
When I get started with a new reactivity case my focus is on two areas of training…
1. Reactivity Reduction Training
These are training exercises I practice with the dog that I will ultimately use in public to control barking. It takes practice and patience for the training to work effectively to control reactions. The idea is to get good at training at home first, then take it on the road.
Fun training with momentum and participation work best for beginners because the training causes the dog to focus on the handler (as opposed to barking at the other dog).
My favourite training exercises to control barking at other dogs are:
- Find it
- Hand targets (multiple)
- Focused walking (or heel work)
2. Impulse Control Training
The second category of training I focus on with reactive dogs is impulse control, or patience training. Most reactive dogs struggle with having any patience. Examples of impulse control training exercises are:
When you regularly practice more training with a dog, it can really help a dog to be more patient in life generally. Practice makes perfect!
Also, these more stationary and subtle training exercises can supersede the reactivity reduction training above when the dog has made some progress and reactions are easier to control.
Where to practice training
All training should start at home where your dog can concentrate on what you are trying to teach them. Practice at home around the house, garden and driveway until your dog is really responsive to their training.
The next step is to practice training with your dog in public. Start with a quiet location to set your dog up for success and use better treats when in public than at home! Expect a lesser standard of training from your dog at first when you move to a more distracting environment. Keep it fun and positive.
It is only when you have practiced your training at home and out and about enough, that you can expect the training to start controlling your dog’s reaction when they see another dog. Stay committed to the process, have patience and keep practicing with your dog.
In this video you will see me working through the above steps with Billy the Saluki X.
Enjoy!
