Positive Interruption With A Clicker- Dog Psychology Training

Here's my spin on using the clicker in a different way than most would use it.
Taco, a Sheepadoodle, came to us for our Behavior Modification program and was here for 5 weeks.
He was an insecure guy who was lunging at people on the street, leading his humans with no clue how to do it, anxious, fearful and frustrated. After a few bites, it led to his owners to seek us for help.
If you look in our stories section, I will post a link to the 1st day that Taco arrived where he was fearful of rolled up fencing on the ground.
At his drop off he was targeting us, growling if we moved and sending warning barks our way to tell us he was leading in a fearful way and to stay away from his humans.
For Taco, I used a combination of correcting him when he tried to be a bully or go to fight state, positive reinforcement when he was well behaved in a calm follower state and what I call "positive interruption."
Instead of the "look at me" nonsense or clicking and rewarding an aroused/excited dog through eyes/ears, I used the clicker to create an association of calmness through the nose.
To do this we conditioned him to the clicker by waving scent 1st, then clicking, then feeding. His energy had to be calm when "charging the clicker." We did this for about a week before using it around people.
To understand, a dog sees the world through Nose-Eyes-Ears. "Look at me!" with excitement is eyes, ears, no nose and rewarding excited dog (not good here).
Instead for a food motivated guy like Taco, wave scent of food to engage nose (strongest sense), eyes follow and we click (ears) to create association.
This positive interruption works because the association to the click = use nose to find food, followed by eyes. When the association is strong enough, it interrupts a stressed brain (presence of unknown human) and sends the dog to calm follower.
This then give the opportunity to redirect after that sequence OR then allow a calm follower dog to use nose to meet the unknown human. You need humans who understand no touch, no talk, no eye contact.
Weeks of everyday repetitions can create a new association to new humans paired with owners practicing calm confident leadership!!

[@crazypack87]

I’m finishing abc school. I hate it🤦🏻‍♀️. They use treats in all many bad ways possible. Learning with you, and Todd, I can see that the treat is not the problem. The problem is that the human don’t understand the psychological part. That’s why there is soooo many behavioral issues all over United States

[@jeffdj1975]

Wow so simple. Thank you for using the clicker in a REAL positive way. Cesar’s way is the only way 👍🏽

[@PackLeaderDogs]

You're welcome Jeffrey!

[@jessicaroy5934]

Content is looking great ! I like to see what’s on Instagram more in detail here! Sometimes I take breaks on Instagram but don’t want to miss out of the dog content you post.

[@PackLeaderDogs]

Thanks Jessica! More to come in KZbin for sure!

[@Donkens]

KZbin recommending me disney trainers like zak and mccann training only talking about kongs, this channel is so underrated

[@PackLeaderDogs]

Thnaks so much for the kind words and feedback!

[@edengarden6811]

I was at a family member’s house. They have a golden retriever. I was shocked! I walked in very calmly, the dog was very excited. I waited a bit and then i started playing with him. No manners, non. He jumps, also jumped up on me, he bit me (not badly thank god) he barked so i would throw the toy, i was like no way. I am never gonna throw a toy when you are like this. I have never seen such a wild dog. My family members have no clue how to ‘train’ a dog or how to be around the dog. It was like a wild animal. The owners just throw the toy when he behaves like this, so the dog is like this is me being good. Anyway, i hope i can help them!

[@annevanoosten]

Interesting! I am not into working with food and clickers but now I’m gonna try it. You use it differently, thanks so much.

[@carriedenham5689]

Absolutely love it Steve ~ great stuff!! Keep it coming😁 this is DogGone Walking KC👍🐾

[@PackLeaderDogs]

More to come Carrie! Great to hear from you❤

[@user-wj8ho2fi8z]

GREAT .I just start to use CLICKER like THAT on my dog and i feel its getting betteR rmuch better...LOVE WATCHING YOUR VIDEOS

[@jessicabrock1559]

This is great! So helpful! My dog is reactive to strangers who try to touch him when we are out in public (indoors arousal manifests as “hyper”). It’s only been an issue at the vet. This exercise is super helpful for that, but is there a step to allow vets to touch him?

[@stevenpetrovich]

At 15:00 you corrected him cause he was trying to get your attention? Just curious! Ive been using this with my dog since i saw it on IG- great stuff!

[@LynamUp10]

Great video, Steve! Question - I would like to try this technique with our dog (3.5yo Airedale Terrier) but food/treats trigger EXCITEMENT, as you showed (12.05 min.) in your video. How would you apply this technique to reinforce a calm state of mind?

[@kmorgan6268]

what’s the end goal by using this type of training? do you fade the use of the clicker/food and how?

[@PackLeaderDogs]

End goal is to have dog just pay attention to you or not engage in a distraction like a barking dog. I will do a video on next steps and what finished product should look like!

[@kmorgan6268]

sweet! looking forward to it!

[@leeannhutchings951]

Hello. I have a 2 year old Yorkipoo. I've not had any serious training for her. I watched this video and I'd like to know what all I could use for motivation with the clicker since she doesnt care about reg food. Treats isn't a good idea I'm guessing because that would end up being too many each day. I could try a ball. What else could i try that you have seen work on dogs?