MY REACTIVE DOG IS NOT THE PROBLEM, YOUR OVER- FRIENDLY DOG IS 👇
I was training Cassidy my puppy. Cassidy has been feeling insecure about other dogs. She's at an age where hormones are coming in and she's going through big feelings regarding the outside world. This has resulted in her feeling anxious towards new dogs. She's fine with dogs she knows, but strange ones always get a cautious bark as she is unsure of their intentions.
Whilst training with Cassidy doing some engage and disengage at a safe distance, so Cassidy can learn to feel safe and under threshold we encountered an owner with 3 out of control dogs. They b-lined towards us, invading Cassidy's space.
This is the perfect example of how NOT to let your over-friendly dog behave. Bare in mind here Cassidy is a puppy, experiences like this are pivotal to how she feels about situations when she's older.
The owner of these dogs came to retrieve his dogs, I hadn't yet asked him to recall them. He said "Hello." As if he had a sense of entitlement to let his dogs invade my dogs space. Although Cassidy was on a long-line and clearly barking at the other dogs. I quickly advocated for Cassidy and gave her as much space as possible so she didn't feel the need to escalate up the ladder of agression.
He ignored my statement, invalidating my dogs experience and continued about his way. NOT LEASHING his dogs, than ANOTHER one came over 🫣 you cannot make this sort of thing up.
Everyday I get clients calling me distraught because of the idiocy of the general public. I have to always explain that you cannot control other people,only help manage our dogs emotions during that time.
In the second set of clips, Cassidy had a new interaction with a dog who made her feel comfortable enough to go sniff near him. The owner and dog both respected Cassidy's space, kept a comfortable distance and allowed me to manage her emotions safely this is an IDEAL interaction with 2 dogs. I'm so thankful to this lady for ma
Training & Behavioural Modification isn't an overnight process!
I met Maple 3 years ago. When her mum had contacted me in tears because she was heavily pregnant and had absolutely lost all hope that Maple could ever be a "normal" dog.
Maple is Reactive to dogs, cars and wildlife. Maple is a rescue from Hong Kong, she had a conflicting start in life and most likely was attacked by dogs whilst on the streets.
Maple was recommended by a vet suggested trainer to never be walked. This was determental to Maples mental and physical health.
In 3 years what have we achieved?
- 90% decrease in reactions to dogs and cars. Maple can now ignore 90% of dogs on a walk with slow and careful exposure to her triggers we've achieved her being able to walk in public and enjoy the enviroment without overwhelm or a reaction.
- Pain management and allergen support. Maple is now on a place where her hip displayia and allergies aren't affecting her emotional responses anymore.
- She can be loaded in a car and not bark when she sees a dog on the street.
- She can offer engagement and disengagement from triggers.
-She will take treats whilst on a walk and engage with simple foundational training.
- She ENJOYS her walks.
Maple is a dog I'll always use as an example of proof that reactivity can be improved. Dogs can learn to cope and tolerate their triggers if done so correctly. This was not an overnight process. We starting getting little break throughs 6 months into training, we got more engagement and tolerance as time went on.
Maple will never be a dog who can play, have social fun, but she can be a dog who can ignore her triggers, work through her stress and find enjoyment in being a dog.
Maple is proof that a reaction during training isn't a bad thing, it's an emotional response! It's the recovery, and management that goes behind that reaction when they learn that the trigger is not a threat. We have to push the limits of the trigger zone to see where that thresho
What does a walk look like for you and your dog?
Is your dog constantly running around like a lunatic, being high energy and unable to engage in the environment?
Here we have my reactive 4 year old Kelpie and my 14 week old Kelpie x collie puppy. Learning how to be "dog".
It's important to teach our herding breeds that being "On" all the time isn't the goal behaviour!
Its good to sniff, trot and offer engagement over high energy ball throwing or playing.
A neutral calm walk is much being for the physical and mental well-being of the dog.
Want to learn how to teach this?
Drop a comment below 👇
What is good socialisation?
Cassidy met the lovely H today.
Their interaction together was idyllic between puppy and older dog. Henry offered lots of appeasement behaviours to come off as non threatening. He allowed her space, offered lots of calming signals and nice relaxed body language.
It really gave Cassidy lots of confidence with other dogs.
So, why was this interaction so perfect?
- The interaction was 1-1 it didn't include lots of dogs all off lead in one park rushing up and scaring the puppy.
- I know and trust the dog who I was socialising her with to give off good signals and allow calming behaviours should she feel threatened.
- The other dog is older and is well socialised/confident.
- I used an open space, so dogs could escape if they needed. I was also on hand to intervene should Cassidy need reassurance.
-Henry wasn't pushy, he didn't force Cassidy to interact or play if she didn't want too.
- He isn't much bigger than her, this allows for confidence building to build up to bigger companions.
Making sure your dog doesn't rush into being forced to socially interact is very important. It's
vital to find a calm, confident older dog who shows good body language ques. It's a fact that puppies shouldn't be taken to a day care and/or a park where they can "sort it out between them". Its good to have a controlled environment where the puppy can learn healthy body ques without feeling pressured to interact. It's more important for a puppy to watch and observe the other dogs behaviours than it is to interact.
The first few days with Cassidy our border collie puppy.
What have I been doing as a trainer, with a new puppy and 3x other dogs who can be reactive?
My focus has been;
Toilet Training
Socialisation
Routine setting
Creating an off switch
Confidence building with my other dogs
Poistive experiences
Sniffing and exploring
Playing
Building a bond between owner and dog
Being left alone
Crate training
The foundations of the first few days is so important. Focusing on routine, sleep and balancing that with fun activities is hard. Our puppies especially a border collie want to go, go, go. We need to teach our puppies that they're allowed to settle and sleep.
It's also important that we allow them enough time for socialisation and expriencing new environments, people and walks (this is not recommended by vets). A carrier has been helpful for this, so I can carry Cassidy in new environments and allow her time to process all the new things. It's also important to balance this and not to flood our dogs. Allow them time to settle and not be over whelmed is priority.
It's also perative at this age to work on leaving a dog alone, even if when asleep in another room to build confidence when you leave. Start of small and build up time and consistency. Puppies need to learn in small bouts! Don't over do it!
We've used Cassidys crate to build confidence when going to sleep in her secure pen/crate at night. This helps her feel safe.
Remember! have fun! Don't burn yourself out trying to do it all. A more confident puppy is better than dog who can sit!
Please be careful of this dog and owner allowing dog to attack cats in their own garden. Down near the wilbury.
Owner is a Black 6ft Male with Large Build. Wearing Red jumper. Dog is a Black Patterdale Terrier.
Reported to Police.
All walks are measured in training. Including tricks from the fabulous Henry! ✨️
How does your dog react when other people, bikes, dogs and kids go past?
Can they wait paitently under control off the lead for their release que?
If not, what's stopping you booking a training session with us?
Contact us for more information:
07576 188708
[email protected]
www.thewildwaypet.co.uk
Working on Merlyn's next stages of training.
Merlyn came to me with lots of anxiety, around people and certainly other dogs.
Before he couldn't even walk round the park without letting everyone know he felt scared.
Now we're doing "stooge dog" sessions. This is where we begin to teach your dog that dogs in closer proximity aren't a threat. I use my neutral dogs who are happy to ignore Merlyn whilst he works through his emotions and learns to mirror as well as see some dogs are safe.
These sessions are great for the success of a dogs Reactivity journey. We progress from this in stages and is the best way to build confidence for dogs and owner!
Well done Merlyn! 🐾
Working on human and dog reactivity 🐾(our speciality)
Today with Oreo, we worked on ignoring strangers as they walked past and discussed how to advocate for your dogs in social settings.
Well done Oreo and Mum Anita 👏
A Wild Walk
Where dogs can be, dogs.
We opt for natural enrichment, allowing swimming, foraging, chewing, playing digging.
Fun is more important than walking on the lead at heel.
#wildwalk
Tody we have a "sniffari" walk!
Sniffaris let dogs, be dogs — and that’s good for their quality of life and mood. These adventures in smelling leave many dogs more content (and even tired) than after a walk when they are moving but don’t have the opportunity to take it all in through their nose. Because one of the many benefits of providing interesting and stimulating opportunities for dogs is the calm state they are in after sniffaris are an excellent activity. So go ahead: Let your dog sniff to their heart’s content.
Aswell as all of this. It calms heart rate, let them connect to nature and enjoy an alternative to high energy walks. Sometimes less is more!
#sniffari #dogwalk
#braingame #dogtraining
#wildwalk
