More reactive dog ideas

Some more reactive dog training tips are offered on this site. Thanks to Francine for passing it on!

This is from Kathy Cascade, one of the T-Touch instructors who works with Linda Tellington-Jones herself. I really like the mindful presentation, the consideration of equipment, and the step-by-step instructions. Though the description is of how to use a "T Touch labyrinth" and other formal setups we may not all have access to, the general ideas can be adapted to any situation. 

To paraphrase and reiterate:

• Reactivity is most often based on fear. Work with it by building confidence and reducing stress
• Reduce tension on the neck, which increases stress. Dual points of contact--head halter plus no-pull harness--are a great way to do this.
• Allow adequate space (work sub-threshold)
• Allow the dog to look at other dogs, but not stare
• Start by following a neutral dog at a safe distance
• Graduate to parallel walking with a neutral dog--at a safe distance!
• Reward calming signals--looking at the ground, sniffing, shaking it out, yawning.

Note that there is some controversy about Turid Rugas' notion of "Calming Signals"...some will say that these signals, which Rugas says are signs of calm that can be rewarded and encouraged, are actually signs of stress of which the dog does not have so much conscious control. 

I think the key, as always, is whether the dog is sub-threshold--if we become experts at observing our dogs' body language, we will know whether the yawn/sniff/shake is a sign of stress or of calm...and whether the dog is in a mental state conducive to learning or whether we just need to turn tail and go somewhere safer!