Well.. she would've been if I wasn't 2 steps ahead of her.
Recognizing when your dog is ABOUT to make a bit choice, is crucial in good timing.
My RottweilerĂ— was repeatedly coming in way too hot when trying to play with the Viszla.
Noticing the intensity in her body language and recalling her to take a breather before she makes contact, was very important..
If she got to pursue the Viszla with that intensity, many things could go wrong -
• She could get intrinsically reinforced for being pushy and the dog trying to escape her
.. this could create a habit and make it her go-to play style
• Even though she was playing, she could've started a fight, if the other dog wasn't going to tolerate it
• She could've accidentally hurt the other dog - she was over stimulated and not thinking clearly - an easy recipe for a disaster.. especially at 85lbs
Reliable recall is essential for safe play & off leash freedom
You can't have all gas ⛽️ & no breaks 🛑
After recalling her a few times & getting her to take a breath through scatter feeding, she started making better choices with the Viszla.
Ps. The chihuahua barking in the background is having the time of her life
Recorded by @wandering.and.marketing
#torontodogs #dogtraining #rottweiler #chihuhuahua #viszla #highpark #Riverdale
Leading from a place of presence, listening & observing.
#dogtraining #lima #positivereinforcement #torontodogmom
Autonomy is the cornerstone of effective training.
By allowing your dog to think and make choices, you're encouraging them to become confident problem solvers and active participants in their own education.
Empowering your dog with autonomy not only enhances their learning experience but strengthens your bond.
For some, autonomy may look like regular off leash hikes in nature
For others, it may look like a 15 foot leash 3Ă— a week in alleyways & quiet parks
Find what works for you & your dog
& do what you can
Your dog will benefit from it
#dogtraining #torontodogmoms #torontodogs #puppytraining #aggressivedog #agility #sportdogs #adoptorshopresponsibly #snackleader #trainhumane
I can't tell you how often I get to a clients house..
They're telling me about their dogs leash reactivity outside..
While their dog is panicking about me being inside their house - barking, lunging & retreating, even nipping me
Meanwhile, they're ignoring their dog
(until I ask them to leash or crate their dog)
because they've been told to act like it's no big deal - not to act anxious so your dog won't be anxious.
But your dog is too panicked to get that message
They need your intervention, support & guidance.
Your lack of advocating for & guiding your dog inside of the house
is absolutely connected to your dogs reactivity outside of the house.
Your dog is always learning from their environment & that includes you
Every moment is an opportunity to demonstrate to your dog that
YOU'VE GOT THIS
that you've got THEM
If you're not 100% confident on how to demonstrate this to your dog, it's OKAY to ask for help!
