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In the video: Session 1: I instructed the handler just to sit and ignore the dog so I could assess the behavior and then we trained him to be cool in the training class with his 'nemesis' Emma; Session 2: A PlayDate with some other dogs; and Session 3. His first visit to a dog park, wherein Nemesis Emma becomes his best buddy. All in all, a pretty easy case.
Upcoming Dog-Dog Reactivity and Results-Based Dog Training seminars in the UK and the US: https://www.dog-and-bone.co.uk/product-page/ian-dunbar-uk-seminars
https://www.dunbaracademy.com/pages/dr-dunbar-seminars
Now watch the first Clip again but without sound, so that you are not influenced by the dog's vocalizations and then 'reading' the dog's behavior becomes much easier: oodles of repetitive, machine-gun, play-solicitation, friendly and appeasement behaviors (approx. 60+ per minute) — 'Piano Paws'. He is beyond excited and wants to play so desperately that he has zero impulse control. He is certainly NOT an aggressive dog but just an overly friendly dog in need of a little education to tone-down his on-leash play-solicitation style. From being unwanted in class to the dog park in three sessions. FMI: Read the blog I just posted at DunbarAcademy.com
Multiple Choice: So, what do you do when a dog barks and growls and lunges at other dogs, or barks and jumps on people?
a) Startle or distract the dog by tossing a throw-chain or can of pebbles.
b) Squirt the dog in the face with water, lemon juice, or vinegar
c) Turn your back on the dog and wait for the behavior to extinguish
d) Differentially Reinforce an Other or Incompatible Behavior (DRO or DRI)
e) Instruct your dog to "Sit-Stay-Watch", "Shush", and PRAISE
All the above suggestions have been suggested in books and blogs and all are still being used. My recommendation has always been e) Instruct your dog to "Sit-Stay-Watch" and "Shush" and PRAISE wholeheartedly when the dog complies and keep praising all while the dog complies. But so many people retort, "But that won't work." "My dog just loses it." "He doesn't listen to a word I say." Well, all I can say is: It works quickly and effectively for me and most of my clients.
This video displays one of the best clients I have ever worked with. In the first clip you see him making every mistake in the book. List them. You all see the fight coming, right? But as we walked, the client took on board everything I said and then in THE VERY FIRST TRAINING WALK put it to practice with the very first dog they encountered and made it work: move back so that you turn your dog's butt towards the other dog, "Sit-Stay-Watch" and keep the dog focused on you with whisper-praise and immediately verbal corrections, "Watch!" should the dog look away and then resume praising as soon as the dog focuses. Dog after dog passed by during the walk, and dear Nell didn't react once. Not even a wooflet.
However, in the park, Q: What did the owner forget to do when the shepherd stuck his nose in? A: PRAISE! He fell into the trap of taking his dog's stellar behavior for granted. The 1st Rule of Reinforcement: Frequently and enthusiastically PRAISE your dog for desirable behavior.
Now, if your dog doesn't listen to you when reacting to other
Trail walking is so much easier to teach dogs to pay attention and follow. Aside from a couple few breeds, most dogs stick to the trail because that's where all the doggy smells are. Consequently, your dog is either too far ahead or too far behind. As always accentuate their improvisations: if they lag, speed ahead; and if they forge ahead, about turn and head back. And if you can ever get out of site, hide. Here's ZouZou on the waterfall trail in my neighbors back-yard.
You can practice Following games at home to build a psychological bungee cord. To entice your dog to follow, you must accentuate your dog's improvisations by putting distance between you and your dog, which is more difficult indoors without hitting a wall. Consequently, indoor following makes it much easier for your dog to follow in a larger yard or park.
I originally posted this video to illustrate how easy it is to tone down over-the-top, puppy play behavior and curtail scraps and growly-woolies. 1. Stop the scrap and then, 2. PRAISE as you calm the puppy before release to resume playing. Puppies resolve their differences during early puppyhood, develop bite inhibition, learn social savvy, and have little to fight about as adults and so, can enjoy pack harmony. (Hence my UK seminar at https://dog-and-bone.co.uk
I am reposting the video because last time it generated half a million comments. Some really good ones and then approximately 499, 962 one-liners, such as, "That puppy is aggressive", "Vicious", "Get the puppy out of class", "Return the puppy to the breeder", "Time Out!!!", "Needs a good lesson who's boss". "The puppy is traumatising the other puppies". "You're rewarding that puppy for fighting!" etc. Nothing better illustrated that so many people misunderstand normal, natural, and NECESSARY play behavior, play-fighting-and play-biting, and seem to be scared of off-leash classes. This is very worrying. I feel so sad for puppies and their people, if they cannot get the education that they so desperately need, and deserve.
Following exercises are brilliant for developing the psychological bungee cord that is the foundation for all off-leash control.
Hello Humping: The Sequel
When your dog jumps on visitors, instruct, "Sit". When your dog barks excessively, instruct, "Shush". When your dog uses your living room for agility, instruct, "Settle", or "Find your Chewtoy, Go to your Bed, and Settle". And when your dog humps another dog, (to avoid upsetting and annoying the dog's owner) instruct, "Off". It's really that simple, that is, if you have taught your dog the meaning of your instructions (via lure-reward training) and then proofed reliability for all scenarios with just a couple of very easy yet incredibly effective exercises, and then tested Response Reliability — an index of your dog's comprehension and motivation to respond. Applying practical Science-Based Training. (Not the Century-old learning THEORY!)
Hello Humping! — In the Red Corner we have Canine Instinct and in the Blue Corner we have the Human Voice. Our most useful training tool is our VOICE. We teach dogs ESL so they understand the words we use as instructions, guidance, and praise. Specific instructions are useful for helping dogs to quieten and calm down when they are hyperactive or reactive, for example, "Shush" and "Sit-Stay-Watch" to prevent or control barking, growling, lunging, and eye-balling other dogs. Obviously, PRETRAINING is necessary, as is TESTING Response-Reliability in all scenarios, to objectively evaluate the dog's level of comprehension and their motivation to respond.
I was filming some normal play behavior to illustrate how, when play increases in intensity, dogs usually signal to each other to bring it down a notch, to reaffirm that 'this IS play', and then signal again, sometimes multiple times, to resume playing. Jambo (Swahili for 'Hello') was amped up and since over-the-top social play was being nixed, he thought he would give 'humping' a go and so, I responded by giving our 'words' a go at controlling the most powerful instinct of all. (Whereas for example, hunting, herding, and foraging 'instincts' are essential for the survival of individuals, mating and maternal instincts are essential for the survival of the species.)
"Off" is pre-taught and proofed as meaning: 1. 'Don't touch' food or objects in the hand or on the floor, until requested, "Rover, Take it"; and 2. Remove one's dog's body from human furniture, until requested, "Rover, Couch" or "Rover, Lap".
Does your reactive dog want to play? Some dogs are reactive because they're fearful but others are reactive because they desperately want to play, but they lack social savvy and they're restrained by a leash. Look for friendly appeasement gestures, like paw raising, bending elbows and "piano paws" to see if a dog is eager to play.
Want to learn more? Save 75% on our Dog-Dog Reactivity Training Plan: https://dunbar.info/aug24reactivedog
Resolving Dog-Dog Reactivity the Natural Way
Dog-dog reactivity is extremely common but it wasn't always this way. So, let's bring back the tried and tested non-aversive techniques that are so old they're new again. The natural way! Join us now for a Live session, we'll share ideas and take some questions!
Resolving Dog-Dog Reactivity the Natural Way
Dog-dog reactivity is extremely common but it wasn't always this way. So, let's bring back the tried and tested non-aversive techniques that are so old they're new again. The natural way! Join us now for a Live session, we'll share ideas and take some questions!
Video Response — "Aggressive Puppy in Class"
Sometimes, puppy play sessions can seem scary! But with the right feedback at the right time, it's easy to teach ALL puppies to play nicely with each other. The simple, gentle correction that Ian uses in this video is super effective and this ended up being Baker's last fight in class. He learned very quickly to play nicely with other pups.
If you'd like to see for yourself you can watch ALL of the footage from this puppy class for free. You can see for yourself how effective this method is for dealing with over the top puppy fighting.
Go to https://dunbar.info/freepupbooks and scroll down to the Free Trial of the Top Dog Academy. Once you're enrolled, go to the Essential Puppy Training Course and look for Ian Teaches Puppy I.
Reliable Emergency Distance Sits or Downs — make off-leash walks and play (and escape events) safer and allow your dog to enjoy more freedom. This is Omaha, my first Malamute, in his cameo at the end of the original SIRIUS® Puppy Training video. He died a few weeks later - a little over five years of age. Hence my passion for Kennel Clubs, Breed Clubs, and breeders to adopt a Longevity Breeding Program. (See the 'Free Course Collection' at Dunbar Academy.)
Take the Collar — Give the Treat! If puppies are allowed to play without interruption and guidance, puppy play will likely quickly get out of control, and become the biggest distraction that prevents or destroys training. Instead, we use 'resuming play' as the most powerful 'life reward' to reinforce attention, responsiveness, and calmness. The more times play is interrupted, the more times you may say, "Go Play".
