Dog Reactivity:  Kyra

Kyra is a 1 yr old Basenjii/Heeler mix that is very reactive on or off-leash when another dog is anywhere in sight or hearing range. Click here to see her behavior before any training. I also let her fully approach a stuffed dog to give me more information without putting a helper dog at risk. Her behavior to this stuffed dog was the same as real dogs: she would not take high value food, her approach was loud and conflicted, and she closed the distance between her and the other dog. See that video here.

Typically when people see their dog do these behaviors they yell or punish the dog in some way.  This can add to the dog’s anxiety, increase aggression, and put you at risk of being bitten. The first step is changing their behavior is keeping them away from other dogs so that you can start training (this may mean no walks & other forms of indoor exercise for the first 1-2 weeks). The second part of foundation training is that you pay them something great ONLY for certain behaviors which is then later used when around dogs. Instead of continuing to say "stop it" we will define behaviors so you can say "Yes". 

For Kyra, we taught her that turning away and touching an open hand would pay off rather than going forward to aggress. We taught this type of foundation work in a distraction-free environment, then moved to two different kinds of stuffed dogs for our distractions. Once she had a solid foundation (targeting, sit, able to take food with high level distractions, and comfortable wearing her head halter) we had our first session with a real dog in a controlled situation.  The helper dog is right next to the camera (who has an owner clicking him for non-reactive behavior). Kyra is now paying attention to the handler rather than the other dog, she is able to eat, and maintain control of her body during the whole first session.  We start far away and work closer to the dog/camera as her behavior allows. Click here for this video showing how we taught behaviors using the stuffed dogs, then later at the park with a real dog.

After 3 more working sessions similar to this one, she had her first play date with a dog. Here is a link to a video showing this first play date and then a week later with a second dog that she was more uncomfortable with.  Slowly over an hour, she warmed up and then fully engaged in play. It is lovely to see that play behavior unfold.

The key to successful behavior change is eliminating the exposure to other dogs while teaching incompatible yet reinforcing behaviors (i.e turning away to touch our hand paid off more than barking at another dog). We then use that foundation training and trust to work in more arousing situations at a pace where the dog is comfortable and seems to be enjoying the interaction. This requires expert observations of the subtle microexpressions of canine body language, excellent timing, and breaking it down into tiny baby steps to not flood the dog and make it worse.

This doesn't mean that today she can play with any dog that comes up to her. The behavior is not gone. We have taught her that we are predictable when scary things come near. The goal is to allow dog introductions to happen in a controlled way and at her pace, not ours. She can always choose to go away and not interact with a dog. By allowing her this choice, she gains confidence and does not have that frustration and fear that she once had.