I will often use my own dogs in sessions with my private training clients. I think it can be valuable for the humans in particular, to practice the skills they need with another dog present so that they can see the techniques working but still be in a setting that is controlled and safe.
But one thing that you will never, ever find me doing is having my dogs off lead around a dog that has been reported to me as displaying reactive, fearful, or aggressive behaviour.
It doesnât matter how well-trained my dogs are, how well socialized they might be, or how appropriate their communication is. You can never 100% guarantee any behaviour, and these are sentient animals. Training fails or humans have bad days and misread things, and I am not willing to compromise the safety of my clients and their beloved family members because it makes me feel like a big strong trainer to have my dogs off lead.
And itâs true, there is something to be said for the benefit of freedom of movement and natural communication, which is undoubtedly restricted when leads are introduced. But ultimately that comes second to the health and safety of the dogs I have been entrusted with.
Besides, weâre training for the real world! It isnât like everyone you encounter on the street is going to be happy to just let the dogs off so they can mingle, so that scenario isnât even particularly helpful in your daily life - and it also wonât make much of a difference in the long run if your dog learns to feel safe around my specific dogs. Learning in dogs is extremely context-specific!
Do you know what Cooperative Care is?
Itâs a way of training husbandry (grooming, nail care, even blood draws) that is extremely powerful because it enables the dog to have control over the process - we teach them a behaviour that they can use to âopt inâ to the procedure. Think of it like going to the dentist, where they wait until you are ready to begin and you can tap for a break at any time.
This is Maisieâs FIRST ever cooperative care training session, and she does NOT like having her paws handled. But she has just had surgery on her back knee, and so physically fighting her to get her nails done is simply not an option - she has to be a relaxed and willing participant.
You can tell sheâs still a little uneasy, but sheâs still allowing me to do the care I need to do without any force, punishment, or physical restraint. And any time she tells me she needs a break by pulling away, I listen!
Do you need help getting your dog to accept basic husbandry tasks? Let me know in the comments!
Three cheers for our Reactive Dogs Class that graduated today! đ We took a âfield tripâ to Central Park for their final class, so that they could apply all the skills theyâve learned in a âreal worldâ environment with other dogs, LOTS of people, and lots of noises - and they all smashed it!! Two of these dogs are not just dog reactive but can also be fearful of people - can you even tell who?
Special shoutout to Wilbur the frenchie who was unfortunately unable to join us today - we know you would have been a pro too!
Each of these dogs is still in the middle of their journey, and will continue to have good days and bad days - thatâs how it goes with fear. But Iâm SO proud of each of these hardworking teams who have shown up, done the work, and seen some absolutely stunning progress. Well done all!!!
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Unfortunately, ethical videos of behaviour modification for aggression arenât that interesting to watch. But moments like these are where the real change happens - not in big blowouts, showdowns, or dramatic overnight âfixesâ. Just small, steady steps and good choices working toward peaceful cohabitation. Iâm so proud of this team đ„°
This is what we love to see in a reactive dogs class - relaxed people and dogs, just learning to exist in the same space thanks to the skills weâve been building plus biological fulfillment through enrichment. Reactivity training doesnât have to be complicated or flashy!
We really loved using the sensory garden at Paddock in the Pines for this; the planted herbs and digging pits gave the dogs lots to explore and things to focus on besides each other, and even Winston who tends to freeze up when heâs unsure did some exploring!
Weâve just become affiliates for The Muzzle Movement! The Muzzle Movement are a company that create beautiful, sturdy muzzles in a range of colours and sizes - including a few sizes designed specifically for large bully breeds. Even though our Maisie doesnât fully fit the banned type, we have one for her - muzzle training is a skill that every dog can benefit from! I love this company because not only are their muzzles excellent, but they stand for kind, ethical training practices.
You can use the link below or enter the code BETTERNATURE at checkout to get 10% off your order! Your use of our affiliate code will help us have a variety of muzzles on-hand to help keep our clients safe, and any extra muzzles that we acquire can be donated to rescues in need!
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Yesterday our Reactive Dogs Class had their second session, where we practiced some skills around management!
Management involves practiced cues and strategies to help your dog avoid reactions, and support them in those real-life scenarios that are just a little too much for them to handle on their own. An active management strategy can make or break the difference in your training!
If you and your dog struggle with reactivity, we have an online version of this course that is always available and you can work through at your own pace - just go to our website! And congratulations to all four of these dog-human teams for doing such a great job yesterday đ
We had a great first week to kick off the in-person spring Reactive Dogs class!! Four stunning dogs and their lovely owners, just acclimating to the space and each other for now before we start equipping them with the skills they need to navigate their daily lives with confidence and calmness.
And you might think Wilbur the frenchie was posing for the camera here, but he just thought I had some sausage for him đ€Ł
How long would it take you to overcome your biggest fear?
Iâve been working with Freya, the people and dog-reactive GSD/Mali mix, for 10 months now to help her feel safe in the world. Many people will try to tell you that thatâs much too long to spend on a behavioural issue - yet human beings take months if not years to overcome their fears, even with professional help!
Our time together has consisted of pain assessments with the vet, medication reviews, addressing trauma caused by a previous trainer, building foundational skills, and building positive associations with the things Freya finds scary. Not to mention building confidence in her mum!
Itâs a complex issue, and there is no such thing as a magic wand or quick fix - anything that gives the appearance of one will cause harm to your dog in the long run, and may even create a dangerous situation.
But thanks to our hard work and Freyaâs incredibly dedicated mum, this was her today - walking past multiple people on the side of the street with easy, relaxed body language, able to engage with her mum and take food. All things that would have been completely impossible before we started work together, and all achieved without any punishment at all!
Overcoming reactivity with kindness is so possible; you just need the right skills, patience, and practice. Go Team Freya!! đ
Freya is reaching a point in her training where, although she still needs plenty of support, there are more and more moments where she can see a trigger and move on, completely on her own and without help. This is a dog who would react on a hairline trigger to any sight or sound as soon as she stepped out the front door, so thatâs huge!
Not only that, but we didnât even start at square 1 with Freya; we had to start at -5 and undo a lot of damage caused by her previous trainerâs harsh and punishment-based methods.
Sure, sheâs pulling a bit in this clip, but sheâs just excited! Dogs donât need to walk at a perfect heel all the time anyway đ„°
Just one space left in our Spring Reactive Dogs Class! The only class in the area where you get safe, structured and guided group practice in an environment where your reactive dog feels safe.
Link below to grab the last spot! Early bird price of ÂŁ199 until Feb 24, then full price ÂŁ225. Starts Saturday, April 13 at 10am and runs for 6 weeks.
https://betternaturedogtraining.as.me/reactivedogsclass
đŸ Spring Reactive Dogs Class Open NowđŸ
Itâs that time of year again - enrollment is open for our spring Reactive Dogs Class!
This six-week course is the only one like it in the area. Starting April 13 at 10am, learn new, practical skills to support your dog in their reactivity journey through written and video guides from the comfort of your home, then bring those skills to practice under structured supervision every week at Paddock in the Pines.
Weâve taken feedback from previous students and dropped the max class size down to 4 dogs, meaning everyone gets plenty of individual trainer support and lots of space to keep their dogs calm and focused. That said, there IS already only ONE space available!! If we have enough interest, we may open a second timeslot, so message us if itâs already full when you try to book!
Until February 24, you can reserve your place for the early bird price of ÂŁ199. After that, you can still book on at full price which is ÂŁ225. Link below to book!
https://betternaturedogtraining.as.me/reactivedogsclass
âThis dog has been failed by so many trainersâ isnât a reason to justify force and punishment, itâs just a sign that this industry really needs regulation. Iâm not some magical wizard of a trainer for being able to help Harvey; I just understand the principles of behaviour and how to change an environment to help a dog feel safe. This is achievable for anyone! If youâd like to learn how to help your own fearful dog feel safe in the world, you can check out our online reactive dogs course - lifetime access, self-paced, but still with options for direct support and feedback! Just head to our website and look for the âonline coursesâ tab.
We had Winnie in for her third session today! Winnie originally came to us for general nervousness and extreme lead pulling, as well as dog reactivity. Her confidence and engagement with her guardians has grown massively since we started working together đ„°
Winnie still struggles passing certain dogs and houses that sheâs formed negative associations to, so weâre focusing on pattern games to build her feelings of safety. We practised with Odin as our stooge dog and she did beautifully!
(Did you know Odin used to also be dog reactive, and was almost euthanised for aggression before we got him?)
You can book in through our website if youâd like to help your dog through fear, anxiety, or reactivity - or check out our self-paced online reactivity course!
Our Reactive Dogs class is making fantastic progress đ
This is the type of class where we adjust to each dogâs threshold and comfort level, to ensure that they feel safe and supported enough to learn. We donât expect a magical fix in six weeks, because real behaviour change and overcoming fear and anxiety takes time. But weâre putting the work in and every single dog is seeing improvement!
We have an online, self-paced version of this course being released in ONE WEEK. Follow and share to help those who struggle with reactivity start their journey toward calmer and more confident walks!
This is Harvey, and isnât he such a cutie? đđ
Harvey has BIG feelings about strangers, to the point that he needs to be completely out of the house in order for his family to have guests in their home.
But this was the end of my very first time meeting Harvey! We didnât push him into a big dramatic reaction, didnât punish his expressions of discomfort, and didnât put him in a situation he wasnât ready for. Thanks to a careful set-up, Harvey was allowed to adjust to my presence at his own pace (with the help of lots of cheese!)
His mum and I chatted about lots of different ways to help Harvey manage his stress and avoid practicing his reactive behaviour, and over time Harvey decided to lay down near me and even come up for a sniff. By the end of the session, we were able to practise this exercise - learning how to associate the approach of unfamiliar people with good things! You can see that he isnât completely at ease here, but heâs doing so well for a first session. đ
Training fearful dogs is most effective, and fastest, when you let the dog set the pace. And when you let them decide what theyâre comfortable with, you might be surprised how quickly you can actually make progress!
Avoid, avoid, avoid⊠thatâs all positive reinforcement trainers do, right?
Not at all!
What our training is about - whether thatâs separation anxiety, reactivity, general fearfulness - is knowing how to support your dog and avoid putting them in situations they arenât ready for. Much like holding your young childâs hand to cross the street because they arenât ready to do so safely on their own!
That support and safety builds resilience as you work through the training. Your dog will have trust in you and trust in the process, so when they start to get worried - like Harvey here did at the start of his training session - they can overcome it. And yes, sometimes we do challenge our dogs, weâre not spending our days wrapping them in bubble wrap!
But those challenges coexist with successful set-ups, environmental management, lots and lots of practise, and supportive, non-confrontational teaching. We give our dogs the tools to overcome, rather than throwing them in the deep end and expecting them to find their way out.
Looking for support to help your dog through their own anxieties? Get in touch to find out how we can help!
(Also: you can absolutely greet your sepanx dog when you come home!!)
