Tools for Reactivity?

[MyDogBitz]

Someone on Reddit made a post asking what tools they should use to help with their dogs reactivity. I shared my thoughts and figured it may make some interesting conversation over here as well. Agree? Disagree? Thoughts, feelings or ideas?

Here's my response:

Tools won't fix your reactivity issue by themselves. Tools are used in the training, but not as an answer to a problem. When tools are used without a context that the dog understands, they tend to exasperate the problem, not solve it.

A good reactivity rehab program involves:

- Management.
- Outlet.
- Training.
- Progressive Exposure.
- Communication & Consequences (positive & negative).
- Maintenance.

Be clear with your trainer on exactly what you're looking for. Ask them to lay out their plan to get you to your goal. If you're not happy with the answers then this trainer might not be the right fit for your dog.

Management: The dog is handled in a manner where he can't practice the bad behavior outside of training for several weeks or several months, depending on how habitual the problem is.

Outlet: The dog is given an outlet for that behavior in a constructive manner. Possession games, chase & catch, bite sports, barking, etc.

Training: The dog is taught a redirection queue, a focus queue, an out command, some basic obedience, markers which includes a conditioned punisher.

Exposure: Once the tools are in place the dog is exposed to the trigger and shown what is expected using the skills it's been taught up to this point.

Communication: The dog needs feedback once it's in those challenging situations. Effective communication can't happen until the skills and markers are in place.

Maintenance: Depending on the dog and his level of rehabilitation, there will be a level of maintenance that might be required to keep the bad behavior away for good.


Others might disagree but this is how I would be looking at the situation.

Good luck!

 

[Kaia Murphy]

This makes a lot of sense, especially the part about tools not being the actual fix. I think a lot of people (me included at one point ) assume a new collar or harness will just solve the problem.

I’m still learning about reactivity, when you say “management” and “outlet,” do you mean things like keeping distance and letting the dog burn energy in other ways? I really like how you broke this down into steps, it makes the process sound a lot more doable.

 

[Mr. Schmucks]

Finally, someone said it, the “tool” isn’t magic, it’s just a translator between you and the dog. Love how you broke it down. Most people skip straight to “correction” without ever teaching the language first.

 

[oink]

Love it! Under the category of exposure I would also emphasize the importance of giving your dog the opportunity to make good decisions on their own. Whether it's cookie pushing or aversives, they are both ultimately distractions where your dog isn't given the opportunity to assess that the trigger isn't a threat

 

[oink]

This makes a lot of sense, especially the part about tools not being the actual fix. I think a lot of people (me included at one point ) assume a new collar or harness will just solve the problem.

I’m still learning about reactivity, when you say “management” and “outlet,” do you mean things like keeping distance and letting the dog burn energy in other ways? I really like how you broke this down into steps, it makes the process sound a lot more doable.

Yes my interpretation is outlet is ensuring your dog's needs are met - both physically and mentally! Management is yes controlling the immediate environment and having strategies for when your dog is in a situation they can't handle yet on their own e.g. crossing the street, avoiding the elevator, avoiding peak hours, avoiding that house with the fence fighting dog, emergency u-turns, pattern games

 

[Kaia Murphy]

Yes my interpretation is outlet is ensuring your dog's needs are met - both physically and mentally! Management is yes controlling the immediate environment and having strategies for when your dog is in a situation they can't handle yet on their own e.g. crossing the street, avoiding the elevator, avoiding peak hours, avoiding that house with the fence fighting dog, emergency u-turns, pattern games

Ah okay, that actually helps a lot, thank you for breaking it down like that! I didn’t realize how much “management” included those little real-life adjustments too, not just training setups. The examples make it way clearer. And I love how you explained outlet, it’s such a good reminder that tired and fulfilled aren’t always the same thing.