Stop! This Mistake is Fueling Your Dog’s Reactivity

[@sheerlux_]

I've tried working with a trainer 1-on-1, and you've educated me on my dog's reactivity in this 10 minute video more than they did in over a month of weekly sessions. I recently purchased your program. I really like your approach and am excited to start working with my best friend in a way that will be less stressful for her.

[@spiritdogtraining]

Thank you so much for your kind words! I'm so glad that you've been finding out content to be helpful for you and your pup. We look forward to working with you guys!

[@beverlydeardurff5366]

In reactive training, you need to find the distance from the trigger where your dog will focus on you. Mark and reward. Move closer to your dog's trigger, if your dog is able to focus at a closer distance, mark and reward. Continue to move closer to your dog's trigger as long as your dog can focus on you. This process may take a while. Patience is the key.

[@spiritdogtraining]

@@beverlydeardurff5366 we actually do NOT recommend this focus method. We explained in detail why here: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/spirit-dog-training-podcast/id1397914186?i=1000663237679

[@GretchenBarfoot]

This is my dog exactly. He is 50% Aussie and is normally very food oriented. Thank you for this video that should help me work on his reactivity to other dogs when on leash. It motivates me to go back to your class on reactivity training too.

[@spiritdogtraining]

I'm so glad that you found this helpful- definitely reach out in the comments of the course if you need help at any point and we will be happy to help :)

[@jayar1805]

Thank you very much. These are the details that no one tells you

[@spiritdogtraining]

You're welcome! I'm glad you found it helpful!

[@FurryFixers24]

Good explanation!

[@spiritdogtraining]

Thank you!

[@BettinaWenthe]

Spot on! Thank you! 🙏😉

[@spiritdogtraining]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed :)

[@user-qh2os1zs4n]

Great video! If you haven't already, please do a video on how to identify the "sweet spot" before the reactivity goes past threshold.

[@spiritdogtraining]

Hi There! We do have some other content on reactivity on our channel, but for in depth coverage of reactivity, we have a whole course here: spiritdogtraining.com/tackling-reactivity/

[@stellalaurie4841]

Hello, I have talked with you before about My reactive dog and you have helped me greatly. We've gotten through the leash reactivity, we've gotten through the stranger reactivity, we're still working on a dog coming into my dog space reactivity. We've gotten through the car sickness when we finally figured out what that problem was, but we're still dealing with reactivity to travel in a vehicle on local streets, although we've mastered long distance travel on the highway. I now understand what I'm doing wrong when he gets so anxious when we're on local streets. I'm waiting too long to work on his anxiety. Do you have any suggestions that might help us in this one last anxiety in the vehicle?

[@lindayan2395]

Can I ask what is the problem you figured out regarding your dog’s car sickness? My dog is always very anxious in the car. I am not sure if it is car sickness or just anxiety so that he wouldn’t even take treats.

[@stellalaurie4841]

@@lindayan2395 my dog was anxious in the car too wouldn't take any treats. My vet suggested that it might be car sickness. I started giving my dog Kaur sickness pills an hour before we went anywhere and after about six weeks, I stopped giving him that and he no longer has car sickness.

[@spiritdogtraining]

Hi There, Thanks for reaching out! I'm glad we've been able to help! Are you currently in any of our programs? What do these reactions you're still experiencing look like? Let me know!

[@stellalaurie4841]

@@spiritdogtraining When we 're driving on town streets, he reacts to stop and go, left turn right turn and backing into our driveway. He starts to anticipate my husband's movements and I can literally see the anxiety building. I talk to him and try to keep him calm telling him everything is fine, he tries really heard but I see the anxiety building more and more until he's over the threshold. Treating for good behavior doesn't work because he eats the treats but goes through the anxiety anyway. Holding him for reassurance doesn't work because he pushes away . I've tried dozens of things, hundreds of videos, three trainers and lots and lots of riding around town stopping each time he gets to that state, but nothing has worked in the past. He is 2 1/2 years old now and the episodes are less frequent but frequent still.

[@spiritdogtraining]

@@stellalaurie4841 Thanks for getting back to me about this- this certainly sounds like something we could help with working on in our Tackling Reactivity program. Are you currently in the course?

[@MarkWilling-kt9ny]

Hi. My dog reacts to possums in trees of our yard every night when he does his last toilet. How can I employ this principle in a situation where he can't avoid the contact with the trigger?

[@spiritdogtraining]

Hi there, Thanks for reaching out! For things like this, it may be more of an issue of prey drive. Do you find that your pup generally has reaction to small animals or a desire to hunt/chase?

[@MarkWilling-kt9ny]

@spiritdogtraining He is actually very good playing with smaller dogs - playful and gentle. I think it might be linked to his reactivity when he sees another dog/animal and he is on lead. That's when he becomes reactive. Also could be fear of the unknown. The possums are well hidden usually but he knows they are there.

[@Offmark9]

wow this helps

[@spiritdogtraining]

Glad it helped 🐾

[@GusSwann]

My dog will not take treats anywhere outside of the house, no matter how below her threshold she is, even high value treats like hot dogs or cheese. I've had some success with using affection or verbal praise instead.

[@spiritdogtraining]

How is taking the treats indoor? How do meals go?

[@GusSwann]

@@spiritdogtraining She's very onboard with indoor treats lol. Meals are weird. Some days she gobbles them up right away but most days she doesn't eat her breakfast until nearly dinner time, and then wants dinner within a couple of hours of that.

[@spiritdogtraining]

@@GusSwann What about if you did treats inside but with the door cracked to start? Some dogs are so either hyper vigilant or excited outside they need to build to it in steps!

[@GusSwann]

@@spiritdogtraining I'll give it a try!

[@spiritdogtraining]

@@GusSwann Let us know how it goes!