Timing for markers (clicker, yes, no, and corrections) are vitally important in training. Especially when you are trying to stop a behavior. I came across this today from Sean O'Shea on FB. He said it so well, I thought I'd put it here for anyone struggling or needing a reminder about how important timing and prevention of the behavior is so important. If you find him on FB there's a video to go along with this, but just let the words sink in for a start. It reminded me how most of the mistakes I made with Asha were when I was standing around, relaxed talking with a friend in a public place and I wasn't watching her. She was on leash, and we tend to look at the people we are talking with, and it feels rude to keep staring at your dog while talking. So she'd go from totally chill to a lunge & explosive barking in about 2 seconds. Over & over I made the mistake of not watching. And also #'s 1 & 2 that he lists after that. Prevention is 99% of the cure. And hindsight is 20/20.
This is the simplest, most succinct analysis and advice if you want to understand how to successfully address and conquer reactivity issues.
Once your dog sees a trigger an incredibly quick doomsday countdown begins. That countdown beginning is the start of the arousal or escalation sequence/arc. Every second that passes enables more arousal to build and ensures more of the chemicals that envelop the mind and body which not only create the explosive reactivity, but also tune out any attempts to correct/derail it…to take hold.
Regardless of the tools you’re using to address this (I’m advising my client about e-collar levels here), the same principles hold true: the best chance you have to successfully stop/derail this doomsday clock of arousal is to address the teeniest, tiniest, earliest sign of the clock beginning to tick (locked on eye contact, ears up/rigid, tail flagging, hackles up, change in breathing, head/body orientation towards the trigger, body becoming stiff etc.), as early as possible with the firmness/intensity necessary to break/cap the escalation and enable deescalation.
Most owners who are already using good tools struggle with this for two reasons: 1/ they play the waiting game—either hoping this might be the one time the dog doesn’t explode, or feeling it’s unfair to correct something so seemingly mild/benign…so they wait too long. Or 2/, their skills are lacking—their read on their dog’s signals are poor, or their mechanics with the tools themselves are insufficient…so they get their too late.
Get this simple concept, use the right tools—and learn to use them properly, educate yourself on your dog’s cues, and start seeing the tiny moments of the sequence starting as the ONLY moments you have to successfully intervene, and you’re on your way to defeating reactivity.
www.thegooddogtrainingneworleans.com
This is the simplest, most succinct analysis and advice if you want to understand how to successfully address and conquer reactivity issues.
Once your dog sees a trigger an incredibly quick doomsday countdown begins. That countdown beginning is the start of the arousal or escalation sequence/arc. Every second that passes enables more arousal to build and ensures more of the chemicals that envelop the mind and body which not only create the explosive reactivity, but also tune out any attempts to correct/derail it…to take hold.
Regardless of the tools you’re using to address this (I’m advising my client about e-collar levels here), the same principles hold true: the best chance you have to successfully stop/derail this doomsday clock of arousal is to address the teeniest, tiniest, earliest sign of the clock beginning to tick (locked on eye contact, ears up/rigid, tail flagging, hackles up, change in breathing, head/body orientation towards the trigger, body becoming stiff etc.), as early as possible with the firmness/intensity necessary to break/cap the escalation and enable deescalation.
Most owners who are already using good tools struggle with this for two reasons: 1/ they play the waiting game—either hoping this might be the one time the dog doesn’t explode, or feeling it’s unfair to correct something so seemingly mild/benign…so they wait too long. Or 2/, their skills are lacking—their read on their dog’s signals are poor, or their mechanics with the tools themselves are insufficient…so they get their too late.
Get this simple concept, use the right tools—and learn to use them properly, educate yourself on your dog’s cues, and start seeing the tiny moments of the sequence starting as the ONLY moments you have to successfully intervene, and you’re on your way to defeating reactivity.
www.thegooddogtrainingneworleans.com
