Engage / Disengage - is a pattern game to help with reactivity and impulse control
The Engage / Disengage pattern game was designed by Leslie McDevitt of Control Unleashed. Itās also known as LAT - Look At That by Grisha Stewart.
The game is simple and very effective
You need a āreward markerā. A sound that tells the dog they will receive a reward. In this case Iām using the word YES . You can also use a clicker or any other sound that signals your dog will be rewarded.
You start at a distance from the triggering scenario. In this case - ducks š¦!
Daisy loves ducks! They are her nemesis and she finds them hard to resist.
I would not normally start this close to the trigger but Daisy has had a lot of practice.
The pattern is : Sheās looks AT the š¦ š¦š¦.
I mark with the reward marker word = YES
I reward after the marker
You see she engages WITH the š¦š¦
I mark = YES
She disengages and looks back at me.
I reward.
She is a pro at this game and even manages to ignore dog distractions!
Please note: Daisy is a mature dog who has had a lot of training . You would never start this close to a trigger. Or off lead
This pattern game is great for helping reactive dogs.
First you need to really establish your marker word without distractions
Then find a space at a big distance from your dogs trigger and start marking and rewarding every time your dog looks AT the trigger.
Be generous with your rewards.
If your dog reacts you are too close
Set your dog up for success with distance first.
Try it and let me know how you get on. You can post your efforts below ā¬ļø if you want feedback.
Struggling with your reactive dog?
We can help
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#reactivedogsunite #behaviourist #dogsofsheffield #reactivedogs #reactivedog #cockapoo #doodlelove #dogbehaviour #patterngames
Have you heard of The Resilience Rainbow ? š
In the context of dog behaviour modification, the Resilience Rainbow can be adapted to help dogs develop the resilience needed to cope with stress and thrive in various environments. Hereās how each of the seven pillars applies:
1. Emotional Wellbeing: Ensuring that a dogās emotional needs are met by providing a stable, loving environment, and using positive reinforcement to encourage desired behaviours. Reducing fear and anxiety through gradual desensitisation and counterconditioning.
2. Healthy Relationships: Building strong, trust-based relationships between the dog and its owner, as well as with other humans and dogs. This involves consistent, positive interactions and avoiding aversive training methods that can damage trust.
3. Physical Health: Maintaining the dogās physical wellbeing through regular exercise, proper nutrition, and healthcare. A healthy dog is better equipped to handle stress and adapt to changes.
4. Sense of Purpose: Providing the dog with meaningful activities and jobs that cater to its breed instincts and individual preferences. This can include agility training, scent work, or interactive toys that stimulate the mind and body.
5. Self-Awareness: Understanding the dogās unique personality, strengths, and triggers. Tailoring training approaches to suit the individual dogās needs and recognising signs of stress or discomfort early on.
6. Healthy Thinking: Encouraging positive associations and reducing negative thought patterns through consistent, positive training methods. Avoiding punishment-based techniques that can lead to fear and aggression.
7. Meaningful Engagement: Ensuring the dog is engaged in activities that promote socialisation and enrichment. This includes regular play, training sessions, and exposure to different environments and stimuli in a controlled, positive manner.
By focusing on these seven pillars, dog professionals and owners can help dogs build resilie
My back yard - one of my favourite places . Especially watching and listening to the stags roaring in rutt . Grateful every day to have this beautiful landscape on my doorstep
What is Stationing and why is it a useful skill to teach your dog?
A āstationā is a location that you teach your dog to go to and stay there until released.
Stationing originated in circus animal and sea life animal exhibitions. It was used to āparkā an animal on a pedestal as part of an act
The animal learned that being on the āstationā earned a reward.
In modern dog training and behaviour protocols we use stationing as a location to send the dog to, to redirect it to a safe place or away from something or somewhere that might be triggering.
For example we might send the dog to a station away from the front door where the dog might display territorial behaviour
In puppy classes we teach stationing as a āsettle on the matā .
In my work with dogs that resource guard, or dogs that display aggression to defend their territory- I will teach the dog to move away from an area that might cause emotional conflict and onto a safe place that has a heavy reliable reward history.
You can use the dogās bed, a mat, a room, a crate, or a platform. In this example Iām rehearsing 3 different cues with Daisy , mat, on it, and place and asking her to move from place to place.
Do you use stationing with your dog? #dogbehaviour #dogbehaviourist #dogbehaviouristsuk #dogaggression #dogaggressionrehab #dogaggressionrehabilitation
How many of you use JR Pet Products Ltd?I just bought the mystery Halloween box reduced from Ā£75 to Ā£52 Itās packed full of great natural chews which will last Daisy around 5 months I think š¤ I also use their pet pate 100% pure protein for training . Itās really useful for dogs that have dietary sensitivities as you can isolate the proteins that your dog can tolerate. For a local stockists choose Bradway Pet Shop
Seasonal environmental changes in our dogs.
Seasonal environmental changes affect our dogs behaviour. Nearly all the dogs I see in the park are in prey mode as the squirrels šæļø are on the ground collecting nuts to get fat to hibernate.
Our dogs usual responses might be slower or even non existent when their brain is in arousal mode.
You can see by Daisyās hyper vigilance and her slower precise movements that sheās hunting
Notice the stillness in her body . She frequently stops to air scent and look for movement in the trees. She has a strong reward history of squirrels being in this area just before we leave the park.
I do give her permission to chase for 2 reasons
1. From a welfare point of view I know she canāt catch a squirrel, sheās too slow and noisy!
2. I practice my recalls regularly away from distractions and I give her permission to chase after a recall or a check in. This training model is called Premacks Principle- itās a bit like saying to a child, you can have your pudding after eating your broccoli . Or you can go out to play after you do your homework
In practice this strengthens the recall as long as you set it up right in the early stages of your training to ensure success for both your dog and yourself.
Other seasonal environmental changes that can impact on your dogs behaviour includes heavy rain which impacts on sound
Wind that can scare your dog
Car headlights and whooshing sounds on wet roads
The Scent of other unfamiliar animals in your garden or on walks.
Darker mornings and evenings - some dogs might feel vulnerable in the dark
Some dogs are slower to get going in the morning.
Loud sudden sounds such as fireworks
Have you noticed any changes in your dogs behaviour?
Brain games for dogs
Thereās more than 1 way of exercising a dog both physically and mentally. Due to the heat this week I used brain games to keep Daisy stimulated and happy but also cool š Searching and Scentwork is one of her favourite activities. In this game I rubbed my scent over a stone and then hid it among lots of other stoneās. I then sent her to find it . Sheās using her nose to find my scent . And sheās using her brain and previous experience to locate the stone. Sheās also expending physical energy with sniffing and circling. Sheās my clever little girl š„° #scentwork #cockapoo #cockapoosofinstagram #dogtraining #gundogtraining #braingamesfordogs
I m just received this wonderful update about Dachshund Ralph who I worked with for several months. Iām delighted for them. āI just wanted to send you an update on Ralphā¦. He is doing AMAZING. We have never seen him so happy!
Successful trips to my mums for 4 days, trips to the seaside, no guarding etc. Just training Sams dad up to start looking after him for short periods to hopefully then build on that. Wanted to thank you so much, because this time last year we never thought weād be so happy as a family.
Have attached a video of him in the seaā¦. Heās found a new love for water. Bless him!ā
Itās messages like this that make my day š#dogcentredcare #dogrehabilitation #dogaggression #dacshundsofinstagram #reactivedog #sheffield #behaviourist #jobsatisfaction
This is Dona the Croatian Tornjak rescue - sheās doing so well on her journey from lead reactive to relaxed. š sheās a beautiful girl, sweet, sensitive, gentle - she had been used for breeding and had been beaten so she arrived in Sheffield in a very nervous state. Having addressed her emotional and physical needs we are now building her resilience on the lead around other dogs. Sheās had 3 lessons so far, out of the Bronze programme which is 5 lessons in total. Iām really happy with her progress and so is her mum Kim who is feeling more confident and empowered . I love helping people and their dogs like Dona. ā¤ļø #reactivedogsunite #dogsofsheffield #tornjak #rescuedogsofinstagram #rescuedog #reactivedog
A useful video by Tails of Connection
Many of my clients dogs have issues with harnesses going over their heads or even wearing a harness at all.
Some dogs activity avoid a harness and this can be linked to body sensitivity and undiagnosed pain.
Itās important that we listen to our dogs needs and not corner them or force them into wearing equipment.
Instead we need to start using cooperative training techniques such as demonstrated here.
In addition check the harness is not too tight, pinching the arm pits, too much bulk and weight to the harness, and preferably with neck clips do you donāt have to put it over the head
My preferred harnesses include : Dog Copenhagen, Perfect Fit, Twiggy Tags, Mekuti and TTouch balanced harness.
#reactivedogsunite #anxiousdogsofinstagram #behaviourist #dogsofsheffield #responsibledogownership #rescuedog
This video highlights how stressful it can be for other dogs when your dog has no recall. The dog on the long line is on it for a reason
Maybe it has no recall
Maybe itās scared of other dogs - and judging by how itās cowering and avoiding the loose dog it does look afraid. š
Maybe itās young and in training
Maybe itās reactive towards some dogs
Maybe itās blind or deaf
Whatever the reason it is NOT acceptable to have a loose dog run up to and into the personal space of another dog on the lead.
If your dog has not yet learned a really good recall away from distractions - it should not be off lead. Donāt be this owner whoās probably yelling from a distance āheās friendly, he only wants to playā ! š¤¦š¼āāļøš thank you Trustydog Training for this video.
Itās interactions like this that can be traumatising for some dogs. #anxiousdogs #responsibledogownership #dogbehaviourtraining
