Tips for dog trainers working with fear reactivity and aggression

[@Anisky123]

I always learn a great deal from all of your videos, Emily. The tip about having guests/strangers go inside the house before your shy or fearful dog is brilliant!

[@katarzynaszczerbowskapruse2605]

It's so important to know that stillness can also be threatening for a dog. The common opinion is that staying still is the best way to calm a dog however I have observed myself that some dogs can become even more anxious when a human freezes. I love the idea of pretending to be busy with treats instead of not moving at all.

[@kikopup]

Yeah my border collies were better with non dog trainers acting like my "friends" rather than dog trainers doing weird still squatting.

[@kristamontreal]

I noticed that my dog gets really unnerved by stillness! It's like she's just waiting for the pin to drop and something bad to happen. It's especially tough with very young children who tend to just stop and stare (from a distance, of course!). When she barks, it's almost like she's yelling at them WHAT DO YOU WANT FROM ME?! DO SOMETHING! Now I know to immediately break her eye contact with those people who stop and stare so that the tension doesn't build up.

[@TmHudsonArt]

Standing still can look like a freeze....which we know dogs do when they are about to flip the lid lol...

[@lisah4117]

Your videos really helped me to understand dogs better and better. There are so many little things that dogs notice and react to. Owning a very sensitive and reactive dog myself, this has helped me a lot! I never thought about stillness being threatening to my Collie, but it makes sense when you think about it. Maybe you remember, I told you that I had finally found a trainer who doesn't use intimidation. My first impression has been confirmed, she's wonderful! My dog has already improved so much in just a few months. The trainer made me realize how much my own (involuntary) behaviour has influenced his. For example, whenever I noticed something that might trigger a reaction from my dog, I tensed up - and he tensed up in response. Paying attention to what my body was doing has been a real game changer, as well as paying more attention to my dog rather than constantly scanning the environment for triggers. Also something I didn't realize I was doing.

[@kikopup]

Oh good! I am glad you found a wonderful trainer! :)

[@sarajohnston2061]

I have watched almost every Zak George video and am doing classes with a positive trainer all trying to extract THIS basic info on how to acclimate my rescue to people. We watch people from a distance (across a playground, at school bus stop, walk around PetSmart) and she is fine. I needed to know how to safely let people in her bubble. Thank you!

[@NeaeraNeaeraNeaera]

You are so clear and explain well, you have a video for almost everything, plus you don't fill your videos with adds! I have been watching your videos for probably 8 or 9 years now and they played an integral part in my crossing over from much less friendly techniques that I had been taught at school. I now volunteer with a behavior support group and with a local rescue in addition to my own dog training business. Your videos are amazing and I link to them for pretty much every question or issue I get. Thank you thank you thank you!

[@TeslaNick2]

I LOVE working with shy, timid dogs who always want to move away. One my client's has a street dog rescue who wants to retreat from EVERYTHING. I've been working with targeting hands to help her approach people. I often use food as a "barometer" to get a sense of the dog's stress level, especially those who internalise their stress.

[@CamilleGG451]

Absolutely FANTASTIC (as always) Thank you Emily!! 💗🙏

[@LakrisK9]

Thank you! I've got a shy and reactive dog, who really reads human bodylanguage and tends to react to it. Especially with strangers. This video was so helpful to undrestanding why she is reacting! She sees the most subtle gestures and eye movement. What a big difference small things make. I find that my dog is more afraid to still people than slightly moving ones. Love from Finland

[@PanosLa]

You know that I can't thank you enough, right? This video it is perfectly timed for me 🙂!

[@kikopup]

:) I'm glad it was helpful Panos! :)

[@frankteng]

How did the training turn out for your dog?

[@PanosLa]

@@frankteng well, my brother in law was getting married about two weeks ago and we had to be in that wedding. So we went to the wedding with a 3months baby, doing a 5 hours car ride. We stayed there for 3 days and two nights. The wedding thankfully was a very small one because... Covid.. about 20 people. Normally I wouldn't take her with me, but unfortunately, because we are in a new city we had no one to take care of her. I wouldn't want to put her in that stress. My in laws knows the situation and we were aware of the possibility of retreating to the room where she can be calm. I'm the end we didn't had to.. she was calm the whole 3 days. Relatives came to the table, waiters, there was dancing and clapping and tapping glasses for toasts etc... She was fine. I was ultra-vigilant to assess if she was shutting down instead of being calm, but there was nothing to indicate that she was stressed. It went surprisingly well. So, it definitely helped the dog (and us).

[@wdavidson4761]

You are a great communicator .... to both canines and their humans. Thanks Emily !

[@sammisilverbirch]

Another great video....thankyou....my latest and very nervous rescue needs just this help when meeting strangers around or in the home...the challenge is persuading the visiting humans to act in this careful and considerate way that you so rightly recommend !

[@kikopup]

The key is keeping distance from the guests because they cant always do what we hope, and to work on all the weird things guests do in training sessions using people they trust

[@sammisilverbirch]

@@kikopup Thankyou, yes great advice, unfortunately unable to get help with the 'practice' atm., so when my 98 yr old father visits ..and stays over, the whole weekend has to be carefully choreographed, so by the time he leaves I am mentally exhausted !

[@dogspeakdogtrainingandbeha8706]

Love your training! I send your videos to my clients all the time.

[@bash3681]

The tip about stillness is brilliant! My BC has been acting up when we are all standing in the kitchen. We are still when eating or cooking and he is relaxed. The moment my daughter makes a move he starts to nip her ankles. I was watching the same behavior with him when he was near the chicken coop. He never nips the chickens but one time the chicken was still for a prolonged period of time and my BC lost his mind and started to nip. Of course he wasn’t able to reach but this makes lot of sense. You are a brilliant trainer. I’m all the way up in Petaluma if I were near you and if u still did private training I would have loved for my dog to be trained by you.

[@zieteniere7500]

Thank you so much for this, would love more content on reactivity, especially leash reactivity.

[@kikopup]

I actually just filmed footage today for how to train a set up with a decoy dog but need some more footage to finish the video- hope to have it done in a month

[@askavetstudent]

I just got my CPDT-KA certification results last night, and I want to thank you Emily, for being my introduction to force free training. I have an F1B doodle I am working with right now on reactivity to strangers, this motion away and dropping treats is going to be next week's lesson with him.

[@kikopup]

Closed Captions have been added :)

[@MissUbeVerse]

Thank you so much! My father in law literally just came over today and our dog was growling at him.

[@kikopup]

Awe. Tell him to not take it personally.

[@chrisredenbach7753]

You've made some very good points that are so often overlooked.

[@csc-photo]

This is solid advice, thank you for sharing

[@laculturedelabeaute2492]

Thank you for such an insightful video!

[@horsethief7622]

thank you so much for making these videos, they're great resources both for people more familiar with behavior mod and newbies! i'm most experienced in using positive reinforcement-based/fear-free work with horses, and while a lot of the basics apply universally, it's extremely helpful to have species-specific information to go off of. planning on compiling & sending a playlist including some of your vids over to a friend who's struggling with their dog to kickstart their learning while we look for a reliable local trainer (:

[@apow8535]

This is an excellent video- thank you! You described the needs of my shy female doberman to a T lol- now to get everyone who interacts with her to follow these tips and guidelines😅 (she likes neutral people but spooks at any forwardness or sudden movements) Thanks again!!!

[@bonnielacombe9835]

I always love your videos and learn so much from them. Thanks so much! ❤️

[@TheWingedflurry]

I usually do the slow crouch (knees bent) and standing to the side or hand behind with a higher pitched voice (as a man my low voice sometimes scares dogs) and for movement I kind of shake my hips gently as if I have a tail and I'm wagging it. It's weird, but I'm a bigger guy and dogs are often intimidated by my size. Also, I always take off the hat or sunglasses and put any tools or things down because dogs are freaked out often by those two things or have possibly been hit with something if victims of abuse. Great tips thanks.

[@Scarletlight525]

My Tervueren gets extremely uncomfortable when people stand still and make eye contact with him, especially if they are tall or lean over him. It is probably due to the fact I am legally blind, so I don't really make that type of direct eye contact with him because I just can't. I have already been using some of these tips, but thank you for making such a comprehensive video on the subject!

[@kikopup]

Its pretty common. Splash the dog in the video also as an adolescent was reactive to a direct stare from a person.

[@GirlwithaFunnyName]

@@kikopup I'm so relieved to hear that this isn't completely abnormal behaviour. I was really worried recently when my border collie pup reacted badly (air-snapped) as I was petting her. I realise now that it was likely because I was probably too still whilst doing it with and that I was giving her direct eye contact throughout. Hopefully I'll learn to read her better and avoid stressing her (and me) out in future!

[@robinrutherfordcost4748]

​@@GirlwithaFunnyNamekikopup has a video on calming signals and Susan Garrett has a video on TEMP that helps with reading a dog's body language. Am sure kikopup probably has one too, just don't know of any off the top of my head. Hope that helps.

[@TmHudsonArt]

Fab video as usual Emily....just today, a young guy tried to stroke Sleet and Wren by doing the usual trying to reach down to their face. Sleet ducked away quickly because she never liked it but even Wren ducked her head (She isn't normally bothered by people reaching for her head) but they were both in play mode and wanted something throwing for them and so did not want stroking at the time. I was speaking to an old guy recently who said he'd been bitten when he reached towards what looked like a very friendly dog pulling to greet him. He said that when his wife asked him what he did and he told her, she told him off for doing it wrong LOL...so some people are aware not to reach down to a dog's head lol...

[@kikopup]

Oh yeah Splash ducks and backs up if shes wanting a treat or a toy too.

[@haventli]

Thank you! Such a good topic.

[@laurakelly765]

Thank you, Emily! This week I will work with the first dog besides my own, a recent rescue who is wary of strangers. I need to be careful greeting him. Your tips build on what I'm already learning in Victoria Stilwell Academy.

[@ShannaTrenholm]

Hey that was my old neighborhood, and my friends (with Penny)! And I’m watching from Portugal :) The internet is a weird place :)

[@kikopup]

They are such amazing people :) And Penny is so lucky to have them in her life.

[@jessicaracanelli818]

I love your videos and techniques. Do you have any content for Owners that have been attacked by a dog? My dog and I were attacked by 3 different unleashed dogs in our neighborhood. Thankfully, we're physically fine. My dog doesn't seem to be overly fearful but I am! I've become SOOO scared to walk him, I can't even bring myself to and my dog is the one who is punished which breaks my heart. I've spoken with the owners, bought pepper spray, changed our routes & times but where I live, dogs are often off leash, so the fear is real. I would be SO GRATEFUL for help of any kind.

[@kikopup]

I got ptsd from dogs attacking mine. I believe finding the right therapist would help. I am still yet to find the right one. I had a bad experience where the therapist didn’t understand how common it is for dogs to get attacked. I had such bad panic attacks when I saw a loose dog that I had to start walking in places where I knew dogs would be on leash 100% like near busy roads now I’m back to walking at the park after a year of walking around shopping malls in parking lots where there’s lots of green strips of grass for my dogs. I’m much better now I needed the break in my dogs needed the break. I’m sorry you are having to deal with this its all because other people just don’t care about others

[@jessicaracanelli818]

​@@kikopup I'm sorry you had to deal with all this, too! I know how feel. Thanks for sharing, I appreciate that. I'm at the stage where I'm only walking in "secure" areas. But where we live is mostly country and people don't leash. I had to scream at a guy in the distance today because he had an unleashed GSD. I will look for a therapist who understands (if they exist!). I'm going to review your videos and start doing more mental stimulation as a way to keep him happy & tired. Also, you are my favorite trainer!! Thank you for teaching us! I wish Pablo and I could train with you :) (We live in Spain, so not feasible). take care

[@helensimonsen7200]

Awesome! Thank you Emily. 👍

[@Sydneyblue101]

Perfect timing on the video upload! Thank you

[@tedjack9184]

Very useful tips. Thank you.

[@4urhonor678]

Wow your explanations are deep...thank you...we have German short hair pointers in a puppy program that were not properly socialized from pups by some irresponsible trainers...they are all what you just described...we've since gotten rid of those trainers...now its overwhelming to with time and resources to build them up...they are avoidant to everyone everything...

[@frankteng]

How is the dog now? Any developments? How are you dealing with it? I’d love to know

[@4urhonor678]

@@frankteng it's not going well....we're not giving up on them...we're trying doing the fundamentals with them...they are very apprehensive to every thing...they are not interested in being directed low energy....but very high energy when off leash playing....so for now we are adapting the training to them...one step at a time....not giving up on them just yet....don't want them to fail....fingers crossed....

[@ionicamermaid1141]

Great video as always! Thanks a million! This will already help with some of our troubles. I remember you taught also in Italy, if you by any chance remember someone you worked with here, I'd love to hear about it or if you do or know someone who does online lessons would be great as well. I just can't find a positive trainer I could turn to with some issues. Thanks a again for the videos and all the great material you have on your website!

[@ionicamermaid1141]

Oh and is there a way to become a member without using KZbin? (I wouldn't like to put my paymen tmethods here🙈😅).

[@kikopup]

I suggest asking Laura Gissara Nudo on facebook, she might know someone near you. :)

[@kikopup]

@@ionicamermaid1141 I have a product in my store where you can buy just 10 of the membership videos here: dogmantics.com/product/10-kikopup-members-videos/

[@ionicamermaid1141]

@@kikopup thank you so very very much! I will do so on Monday! If you want I'll let you know next time you post a video 😉 And that is already on my list, I always get a new one when I feel confident with the previous one 👍 Thank you ❣

[@reptilereyna7802]

Please do one talking about reactivity with other dogs!

[@kikopup]

I actually just filmed footage today for how to train a set up with a decoy dog but need some more footage to finish the video- hope to have it done in a month

[@sylviehodara8884]

Amazing vidéo thanks a lot !

[@Yeewen88]

Can you do a video talking about choke chains, shock collars etc

[@TheSwanprincess101]

A friend’s dog gets triggered whenever they sense hesitation or stiffness in movement though. Especially, when you try to move past them, and pause midway before actually moving past their body. Many times I had to bluff confidence to move past them by loosening my arms or slouching (to look non-threatening). Essentially, I pretend the dog isn’t there or their presence doesn’t give me anxiety. I try to never pause or hesitate when moving in the dog’s presence. Otherwise, I risk him rushing at me, barking, and growling.

[@imzadi83fanvids7]

Great tips! Thanks! Is that Splash in the video?

[@kikopup]

yes thats her :)

[@Heliflopters]

So does this process need to be done with each new person that will be visiting your house? Or will the dog eventually be okay with people in general? My dog is fine with strangers but only if they are sitting down or standing without walking, or walking slowly, and certain family just won’t tell me when they are about to stand up even after i explained a few times they need to do that so I guess they just can’t visit anymore. Training the people sometimes is the harder part smh.

[@jenni0278]

After a while the dog should learn that just because someone is standing up that they aren't a threat as long as you are consistent with a positive reinforcement

[@jenni0278]

Maybe have treats out for those guests to give your dog when they stand up and they aren't reacting

[@kikopup]

For things like "family" where they dont listen, one thing you can do is have the dog on leash at a distance or behind a barrier they will not approach, have the dog out for a short period of time, or move the dog around so that it isnt that quiet still picture, then put the dog away in the bedroom after 10 mins and let the family do all the weird things they want for a while.

[@jenni0278]

@@kikopup I just came back to say to have the dog on a leash and you beat me to it lol

[@Heliflopters]

@@jenni0278 Thank you!

[@nospoonfulofmayonnaiseforme]

My puppy isn't super reactive or anxious but since adolescence she's been prone to alert/startle barking/growling at things particularly in the distance. I do all the normal stuff, acting calm and happy, approaching things myself, walking away, rewarding for disengaging or looking without reacting but it's not really getting better yet (or worse). She's a sd prospect so it's very important we get through it asap. Advice?

[@sarahdyar277]

What is up with people posting pornography links in the comments here? I reported them. Awful.

[@kikopup]

They seem to happen right after a new video is posted, this time I was eating dinner and didnt get to the comments until now. Thanks for reporting them!

[@emmamemma4162]

This problem is all over youtube, don't click on links or engage with these comments, just report them (like you did, good job!).

[@noface71]

Kiko is God. 👍🏿

[@atyourservicedog]

This is exactly how I would get my friends kids to eat veggies at my house. Never let them see it coming, and make it look like it’s their own idea.😂

[@renam2280]

Video suggestion: my dogs are very attached to one another and they go crazy when the other one is away from them. I know that our family made them like this by not separating them when we first got the second dog, but we really need help on how to fix this. If you could make a video on it, that would be wonderful. I haven't seen any videos about how to deal with this.

[@kikopup]

Thats a great idea for a topic I do have this separation training video for dogs, you could work on this then add a second do on leash that you walk away and that comes back kzbin.info/www/bejne/foi3and_bM2AnNE and wen on walks together, they part for a brief second get marked and reinforced for parting then return to each other, then increase time and distance in small approximations.

[@Bananabagel123]

I would also love tips on what to do when your dog IS reacting. Just whip a u turn?

[@cherylakapurr]

Just starting listening. My Zeke has fear issues. He loves people, but I think he was abused, or/and neglected with his prior owner. I know I can not change the past. It took a year for him to accept some brushing. He has bitten me more the once but it’s always been obvious why. Right now I am trying to get him to accept my changing his harness. He is also leery of being picked up, or having his scruff rubbed rather prefers strokes before he knows the person.

[@kikopup]

You could also get a physical therapist to check for back pain, some vets can miss it

[@DynastyTrickDogs]

Great content! :)

[@kikopup]

Thanks!

[@anuteducacioncanina]

Great video!

[@manolopapas]

Awesome

[@KING-nh1jj]

Just a quick question, what do you use for flea and tick prevention?

[@kikopup]

Well, I live out in the country, and I did try lots of different natural flea remedies, but we have so many squirrels and rabbits on the property. Frontline and Advantage also did not work at all, I ended up using the oral Credelio and that has been working for my dogs. I worry about giving them the flea meds so I only give them a couple months a year and that seems to work prefectly where I live. When I was trying to find something that worked I bought Seresto collars on amazon and I dont know if they were fakes or what but within 24 hours my terrier had sores around his neck and when I put the collar in a baggie with a flea I got off my dog, the flea didnt die within 48 hours of being in the bag with the whole collar. So I have been warning people about buying it online or even trying it to begin with. If someone does use one I suggest checking under the collar and looking at the skin frequently just incase.

[@ThePrivet18]

I am confused. When you say “YOU” do you refer to the owners or strangers? My dog is scared of strangers and this doesn’t make any sense

[@janhankins911]

What about giving treats to really little dogs--so many itty-bitty dogs are not well socialized and are very fearful. Even bending your knees, you're still "over" them. If the dog is on leash, sitting on the floor okay?

[@kikopup]

yes you could sit on the floor or be far away dropping treats on dishes so the dog can find the tiny treat. You can also for some dogs train them to use a target stick at first. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jqK3anqqithppK8 this video shows how to train it- you might need a longer stick and also learn how to move it very slow. If the dog is scared of people this is helpful but if the dog is scared of just any random movement then the stick doesnt help much.

[@sfdf1979]

I think you should have someone start filming actual training that you are doing. While your information and delivery are wonderful, anyone can regurgitate information. Watching you do it would be a logical follow-up to the teaching.

[@nachogaming8798]

Make a video on dogg starts barking when you are abt to leave and barking on door

[@kikopup]

I have this video on separation training kzbin.info/www/bejne/foi3and_bM2AnNE I suggest also putting on white noise machines and blocking access to looking under the door so the dog isnt waiting to alert to whatever he sees or hears through the door.

[@nachogaming8798]

@@kikopup that is crate training I can't crate him

[@rtgz5294]

@@nachogaming8798 Crate training is also like what you asked. If you train ur dog to be comfortable in your home without you then thats good news. Its like crate training but in your home instead of their crate.

[@sunny1n]

You shouldn’t drop any treats on the ground.

[@daviddittrich9732]

Why are you demonstrating your method for training aggressive or reactive dogs with your own dog that does not have aggressive or reactive issues?

[@kikopup]

I’m making an educational video where I’m talking so I can show what I do without it being too much for the dog with me talking to the camera. I do have 1 dog in the video that’s not mine but I generally don’t have clients dogs on social media. I do have a few accretions kzbin.info/www/bejne/o3PCnpaqapiAe5Isi=ZCiUVlrYwxDX8Oj1 my protocol video and kzbin.info/www/bejne/bJu8l36BZpyNeNUsi=V9xer4P13d84hbMX with my friends rescue Rottie with a bite history who had been rescued from an abusive situation. The method is done where the dog never goes over threshold. I do have a reactivity dvd on my website through Tawzer that has clients dogs in, but I do not have clients dogs on social media. I focused on working with reactive and aggressive dogs at the beginning of my career when there where no other +r trainers out there to refer to. A handful of my trick videos with other dogs are actually dogs with bite histories but they are in my trick videos. Now I don’t see many clients at all in the last 2 years because I have an issue with my vestibular system where I fall over suddenly. So not so great for working with fearful dogs or dogs with bite histories. My start to my career was just kennel worker but during that time I got a lot of experience with thousands of dogs in a closed facility the ones that were new intakes the sick and the ones who failed their behavioral tests, so I learned so much there I think everyone should work and volunteer at shelters with the behavioral cases there for a few years to learn about dog behavior and how to handle all different kinds of dogs

[@kikopup]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/bJu8l36BZpyNeNUsi=V9xer4P13d84hbMX the leave it rottie video

[@kikopup]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/h2XZdpSvp7eseJIsi=bszIU7zimZZvgKdr one with a reactive to people Spanish rescue dog

[@kikopup]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/e6CQfWWnqalqg7Msi=1NRJ3zQPjleFWSIF gremlin in another video

[@kikopup]

Lacey the Lurcher - reactive shy pup kzbin.info/www/bejne/jX6VqayohpJnZ5Ysi=1UOd_GEJeVGLYN3t