Dog Trainers Hate That I’m Exposing THIS Reactivity Truth

[@gordonprice695]

I focus on a three phase approach, Avoidance to get them back to an even keel, then a Awareness phase where we stay far enough away that the dog can be calmly aware of the trigger (and get a low potency reward like praise), and then a Challenge phase where the dog has the choice to get a bit closer to a trigger and get a potent reward, remain where they are and get a reward like from the previous phase, or retreat a bit if they need to. Engagement stuff is for when all my planning and management fails and we get blindsided. It's plan B to get out of a difficult situation, then a bit of Avoidance for a few days before back to the plan. As you point out, it never solves the underlying problem. But all too often I see engagement done as the training, steak as a lure to counter condition. And there I see people try to get the dog to love the trigger by extensive use of treats. My goal is just a calm awareness of the trigger. Turning triggers into nothing burgers.

[@spiritdogtraining]

Yes, management is a super important part of it all- engagement can certainly have a time and place, but we certainly need to focus on the root cause above all else and addressing that!

[@Emily-kv3uw]

This makes sense. I've been in your reactivity course for a while now and I have been scattering treats before my dog is able to react to triggers, keeping her distracted with sniffing. We will work on this. Thank you for making this video.

[@spiritdogtraining]

Glad it makes sense ❤ Let us know how progress goes- I'm glad it was helpful!

[@Jenily111]

I love this different approach on reactivity training. Nobody has explained it like this before and I'm excited to give it a try. I just joined your reactivity course a couple days ago. Soaking in all the information everyday!

[@spiritdogtraining]

We look forward to working with you more in the course and helping you see success with your pup ❤

[@mike.ying.personal]

makes sense, engagement doesn't reduce a reactive dog's stress and fear of triggers but counterconditioning/desensitization combined with sniffing does

[@spiritdogtraining]

Yes! 🙌

[@patriciabeukema4840]

Love the counter conditioning and desensitization along with sniffing is awesome!! Java is improving so much because of this

[@spiritdogtraining]

@@patriciabeukema4840 So glad to hear ❤

[@ghengis430]

Ah, this is why people say that their dogs were great in the training group, but continued to react after the training. I've had to let my rescue go, he actually pulled me down the street on my face. My trainer, who uses your technique is sick . The last event on my face was so bad I daren't go out again. When I'm ready, I'll get a smaller dog from a more honest rescue charity ( they said he was much smaller and lighter) that at least I can start working with. ( Heartbroken).

[@spiritdogtraining]

I'm so sorry to hear this, I can only imagine how hard thats been ❤

[@RainySheepDay]

THIS is what I've been thinking every time I saw someone's dog is keep on following the owner with that "give me treat" look. The dog is not engaging in the walking/knowing the environment but just the treats, which makes the walking quite meaningless.

[@spiritdogtraining]

Yes, they can get so much more out of the walk by engaging with the surroundings!

[@Aaalllyyysssaaaaa]

this is why I'm glad I have a dog who is too big and too stubborn to do anything he doesn't wanna do. The only way to get him to do anything is to teach him so he understands what you want, and really motivate him to do it. If he does anything I say, he does it extremely well and consistently, and he's adaptable about how he gets it done when there are unexpected obstacles. I think dogs who react to food lures without thinking definitely have some advantages when it comes to learning new skiĺls, because you can build up the muscle memory and neural connections before they ever know they're learning a skill, and when they finally make the decision to try it, they literally get it right the first try because they've been training it for days or weeks without ever knowing it. My dog doesn't have that advantage, but he has the advantage that he actually has to work though how to learn things by himself, and that gives him a kind of intelligence and independent decision making capability that other dogs don't have, as well as the ability to come up with really hilarious and stupid solutions to problems, which is fun to watch.

[@spiritdogtraining]

They all can teach us something different and make us better trainers by learning how to adjust to different dogs and their needs!

[@DeltaCharlie27]

very good video!

[@spiritdogtraining]

Thank you!