Lucy was with me a while back for a board and train working on on-leash reactivity to people and dogs. I got to hang out with her over the holiday and I'm so impressed with how her owners have maintained her training!
Lucy's plan involved 3 basic strategies: 👇
1. Based in her existing love for chasing ball, engage her in play around all her triggers.
2. Give her a long leash. Very often, dogs will make the choice to avoid conflict if the environment allows. By restricting her to a short leash, Lucy's owners were (unknowingly) limiting her ability to move to avoid triggers at a distance comfortable for her, thereby leaving her feeling like she needed to escalate her response to those triggers.
3. Reward check ins (eye contact, waiting for me to catch up, moving back into my proximity) offered naturally by Lucy, not based on a cue. I've found behavior that is the dog's idea, that occurs naturally is stronger when reinforced.
Look at her go. Moving freely, checking in frequently, and *importantly* checking in when the dog starts barking at her. Finally, look at her enthusiasm for me in anticipation of getting to play with me in the park. The more engaged with me, the less concerned she is about the environment. So proud to see her success!!
Movement!
Something so simple, but often forgotten when building a solid recall - movement.
When you are competing for a dog's attention and focus in a distracting environment, backward movement can create excitement, chase, and interest in you.
Movement has been key in teaching Zeus's recall. I use movement across all areas of training; to build engagement, to play, for confidence building.
The most important thing in getting this recall? Hundreds of successful repetitions in low-distraction environments, then hundreds more in harder environments.
