Aggression, Reactivity, and Arousal - Decoding Canine Behavior

Deconstruct and understand the intricacies of aggression, reactivity, and arousal in dogs so that you can build sensible training plans that support your canine best friend!
-----TIMECODES-----
Neuroception 1:04
What is Aggression? 2:04
Territorial Aggression 2:56
Protective Aggression 3:26
Fear Aggression 3:44
Resource Guarding 4:16
Pain-Mediated Aggression 5:27
Offensive (Idiopathic) Aggression 6:24
Ritualized Aggression 6:59
Captivity 10:59
What is Reactivity? 13:39
What is Arousal? 15:03
Polyvagal Theory 16:07
Self-Regulation 18:15
Threshold 20:43
Contributing Factors 22:20
Frustration, Restricted Movement 22:24
Prior Learning 24:22
Genetics 25:19
What to Do 27:38
Language Matters 31:09
Wrap Up 33:39
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About this video: In this video, certified trainer and behavioral consultant Ian Stone dives deep into dog training techniques that prioritize resilience, confidence, and stability through knowledgeable and supportive methods. We'll explore the importance of language in discussing and addressing behavioral issues and debunk misconceptions surrounding terms like "true aggression." Learn how play can be a powerful tool in rehabilitation and why a strong partnership between handler and dog is essential for successful training. Additionally, Ian shares practical advice for managing aggression, reactivity, and high arousal, with valuable resources to help you on your training journey.
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[@chetubetchaIII]

I love this! Sharing for everyone I know who may need to see it. This is probably some of the most important 30 minutes a dog owner can spend today.

[@SimpawticoDogTraining]

Thank you so much! Happy to help!

[@corphish8]

Nice to see an upload again!! 😊

[@NYtoNC]

Excellent!!! ❤ I feel like I can fire my own therapist with this information😂 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@bowlzie88]

Great to see another video Ian! You're seriously best at teaching us how to train and understand our furry family members. Thank you!

[@SimpawticoDogTraining]

Thank YOU!

[@denmarkdogtraining3117]

Love your videos very professional and informative.

[@caz4582]

Wow, easily the most informative 30 minutes of my week, thank you. You are the first person who has put into words/context what is going on for my GSD in a way I understand and I now have something I can use . She is reactive to some people and dogs but also has high arousal around cats, rabbits, deer etc. (high prey drive?). I got her at 16 months so I'm on catchup. I do believe she has frustration reactivity as she wants to play but when not allowed she switches to aggression quite quickly. Again, thank you.

[@SimpawticoDogTraining]

I'm very happy that it was helpful for you. Good luck in your work with your GSD!

[@robertkezer3665]

A lot of work was put into this presentation. TY for your time.

[@SimpawticoDogTraining]

Thank you for watching!

[@scottjones6624]

Man this was a spectacular and sophisticated video. So interesting and in-depth. So informative and paradigm busting. Really impressed. I don't have these problems in my dogs, but I have learned so much watching this to understand and appreciate dog behavior. What a gift!

[@SimpawticoDogTraining]

Thank you so much for the feedback!

[@alinegr]

Extremely valuable information every dog owner should know, thanks for making awesome videos always

[@SimpawticoDogTraining]

Thank you!

[@jeanettewaverly2590]

Excellent! Thanks for not dumbing it down.

[@Nell908]

Wow, I really want to thank you for this. It is obvious how much time and effort you put into a detailed video like this and I want you to know how much I appreciate your sharing so much useful information! I will certainly rewatch b/c there is so much to learn. My dog continues to struggle with reactive behavior 😃when he sees other dogs on leash. With guidance from a trainer, I've been able to help him a lot with management techniques. But those involve distracting him or moving him farther away. That's really helpful, but I do want to get to the next step of him being able to cope *without* being distracted or moved away. As you put it, we're co-regulating pretty well now but I want to help him self-regulate. As another commenter noted, it's hard to do b/c I can't predict or plan for when we'll see other dogs or how close they'll be, which direction they'll move, etc. So we'll keep working on it with the help of this incredibly valuable information. I have learned a ton from your videos and I hope you'll keep posting! And...Mr. Garvey AND Bill and Ted in one video! What more could I ask for?

[@SimpawticoDogTraining]

Thank you for this! I'm really happy the information was helpful for you and that you also found it enjoyable!

[@adenipx]

Great knowledge as always.

[@SimpawticoDogTraining]

Thank you!

[@Zigzog420]

This is perfect timing as I am currently dealing with an aggression issue with our puppy!

[@SimpawticoDogTraining]

Good luck!

[@barbolo]

Simpawtico dog training videos are the best!

[@SimpawticoDogTraining]

THANK YOU!

[@Valeria-zm2xu]

Thank you! Incredibly useful video ❣️❣️❣️

[@SimpawticoDogTraining]

Glad it was helpful!

[@lorrainecampbell3012]

So informative! This is very helpful dealing with my new dog's reactivity to my cats. It's going to take awhile I'm sure, but at least I now have some tools of training to work with. Thank you!

[@SimpawticoDogTraining]

You're very welcome. Good luck!

[@drunkmonkapiaries8729]

I’m only ⅓ through the video and intently focused on the information, when suddenly I’m laughing hysterically at the A-aron reference. 🤣

[@SimpawticoDogTraining]

Gotta love Mr. Garvey.

[@kevingoble3227]

Brilliant video, thank you so much for creating such a well crafted and informative production to help us with our dog's training

[@SimpawticoDogTraining]

You are so kind! Thank you.

[@koenigxolo]

Great info. My puppy, as you put it, was dealing with reactive behaviors around everything. Over time, with training, he has come to accept a number of previously scary situations. His last hold out is nervousness around other dogs. It's really hard to find controlled situations where he can experience other dogs in a neutral fashion.

[@SimpawticoDogTraining]

I hear you. Sometimes the work takes longer just because it's a challenge to find situations to practice in. Keep at it, though-slow progress is better than no progress!

[@ambersgrace1]

Great video, thank you. I’m guilty of using a prong collar. Unfortunately I’ve been injured twice being pulled down, my dog and I weigh the same.

[@Bushbratz]

Thank you❣️✨🐾♥️✨

[@SimpawticoDogTraining]

You’re welcome 😊

[@arcstur]

Yay, new video!!

[@PunchKickBlog]

Great piece, especially the considerations around our wordings. Holds true to other use cases besides dogs as well obviously. 😅

[@SimpawticoDogTraining]

Thank you!

[@ShadowTheCutest]

Thanks for 200 subscribers completed 😄😄❤️

[@dawnfrye4343]

I have Pitbull adopted from shelter at 4yo, now 8, he’s struggling with reactive issues. We haven’t been able to have family or friends to our home in a few years and his walks are done hiking in the forest where we are much less likely to run into ppl. We can’t even walk him in our neighborhood. He’s bitten a neighbor and nipped many times at ppl in our home. We are at a loss of how to help him, we have no qualified trainers in the area. He’s great with us, our cats & most of the time neighborhood dogs who run loose, we have a large fenced in yard in the country.

[@SimpawticoDogTraining]

I'm sorry to hear that. That's a tough situation to be in. Many qualified trainers (including us) offer Zoom sessions. It's not as good as in-person, but in lieu of someone local you may be able to at least get some stuff that'll help out.

[@shdwbnndbyyt]

Now my 14 pound, 8 year old Chihuaussie Luke will often be leash aggressive... towards most big dogs, some people (*usually they are people who turn out to be not trustworthy in my experiences), moving cars, lawn mowers, most motorcycles and a few bikes... and of course cats and SQUIRRELS!!!! And the fence at the dog park between the small and big dog sides makes a great place for him and his big dog friends to bark, growl, and snap at each other before or while they start racing back and forth along the fence. Rarely will he react to a bigger dog on the same side of the fence (whether one on the small dog side or if we are on the big dog side, the latter being much rarer due to my bad knee). Now his younger sister Ginger from the second litter, at 18 pounds and 6 years old, is much less aggressive on the leash or the fence, LOVES people, and tolerates most dogs. Cats and squirrels are prime targets for chasing, and she spends most of her time at the dog park in a shady spot near the outside fence watching the wildlife. I would love to walk them more like I used to do, but the knee pain can get intense. Note that both dogs have killed mice, voles, etc... Ginger dug up and killed a chipmunk hiberating in a leaf pile (Luke tried to lick him awake for the next week, everytime we were outside... Both of them merely sniffed and licked a squirrel that ran into them... Luke likes to play with most animals, like he does with puppies... "You chase me and I chase you" or "You bark and lunge at me and I do it back,,, ad infiniteum"... Not as sure about Ginger, but she has met several baby geese and fledgelings on their own... went up and sniffed and did not attack them at all.

[@ripley.riot.channel]

Would you be willing to allow subtitle translations to be submitted to your videos? I love to translate and share with people I know who don't speak english!

[@SimpawticoDogTraining]

Absolutely!

[@ripley.riot.channel]

Hey Ian, idk if you're aware of if there's even anything you can do about it, but there are ads showing on your videos for illegal ESA letters that explicitly tell people they should buy one to avoid pet rent or "take their pet almost anywhere with you"

[@SimpawticoDogTraining]

Unfortunately, I don't have any control over the ads that are served.

[@MsPhillyG]

I wish I could get someone to assess my 2 males.

[@SimpawticoDogTraining]

You might try a zipcode search on the big professional organizations. We’d recommend starting with the IAABC (International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants). Look for either a “CDBC” or “ADT” accreditation: m.iaabc.org/consultant/ There’s also the CCPDT (Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers). These trainers will all be either CPDT-KA or CBCC-KA: www.ccpdt.org/dog-owners/certified-dog-trainer-directory/ You could also try the Karen Pryor Academy. All of the Karen Pryor people will be certified through that school as “KPA-CTP:” karenpryoracademy.com/find-a-trainer/#!directory/map The Pet Professional Guild is also a decent resource. Members are screened: www.petprofessionalguild.com/Find-a-Member And finally, you could give the Association of Professional Dog Trainers a try: apps.apdt.com/eweb/DynamicPage.aspx?webcode=TrainerSearch We’d do the APDT last because not everyone listed will be a certificate holder of some sort. That's not always a guarantee of high quality, of course, but the field is definitely full of highs and lows. Good luck!