Force-Free Reactive Dog Training

Force-free reactive dog training focuses on building a positive relationship between you and your dog while teaching them to manage their reactions to triggers.

When training your reactive dog, it is important to teach them appropriate alternative behaviours.

Understanding the root causes of behaviour can be difficult for a dog owner, so choosing a behaviourist with adequate experience and qualifications for effective behaviour change is important.

Dog training is an unregulated industry. Any person can claim to be a dog trainer, behaviourist, dog walker, dog sitting or dog groomer with no experience or qualifications. 

Dog boarders and kennels have licensing stipulations which include some basic knowledge of dogs. 

 Using a trainer without proper training can be detrimental to your dog's well-being. 

What is Force Free Dog Training?

Force-free dog training is a humane and effective approach to training that focuses on positive reinforcement and building a strong bond between you and your dog. It avoids the use of aversive methods such as punishment, physical force, using tools or yelling.  

Instead, force-free trainers use rewards (whatever the dig finds rewarding), praise, and clear communication to teach dogs desired behaviours.

This approach is based on the principles of operant conditioning, which states that behaviours are more likely to be repeated if they are followed by positive consequences.

How can I use Force-Free Training When My Dog Is Reacting Adversely?

A common misconception is to reward the dog when they stops the reactive behaviour. When in fight-or-flight mode, learning is severely impacted. The amygdala, the part of the brain which regulates emotions takes over and when you make the dog feel better, and calmer, giving them a rewarding experience it can change the emotions of the dog which in time will affect how the dog's brain reacts in that situation. 

What Can I Do If My Dog Ignores Food?

This is common and is linked to the fight or flight response. They become overly focused on the threat and hormones released to drive survival over digestion and their appetite is suppressed.

You can still use force-free reward methods to help your dog!

When this happens the reward for the dog is to get them out of that situation. Give them the space that they need to calm down. 

Teaching alternative behaviours at home away from stressful situations can help.

A knowledgeable trainer will be able to guide you through this and get your dog to a place where they can work towards calmness using desensitisation and counter-conditioning.

Punishment And Tools Work Why Can’t I Use Them?

These can appear to work because the dog may avoid barking and lunging because of the unpleasant sensation of the punishment tool. The brain will choose survival over everything else.

Quick fixes that stop behaviour do nothing to change the root cause of the behaviour. 

Putting a plaster on a wound that requires a stitch may hold for a short period but ultimately blood will seep out, just like behaviour will seep out because the cause of the behaviour has not been addressed.
Force-free training takes time, effort and patience, but ultimately it is the most effective and long-lasting method of changing your dog’s behaviour. 

 Here are some key principles:

• Understanding the Root Cause: Reactivity often stems from fear, anxiety, or frustration. Identifying the trigger is crucial.

• Positive Reinforcement: This involves rewarding desired behaviours (e.g., focusing on you, calm behaviour) with treats, praise, or toys.

• Counter-Conditioning: This involves pairing the trigger with something positive (like treats) to change your dog's emotional response.

• Desensitization: Gradually expose your dog to the trigger at a distance and increase intensity as they remains calm.

• Management: Use techniques like distance, distraction, and avoidance to prevent your dog from encountering the trigger in a way that causes reactivity.

If you need help with your reactive dog then why not book a call with Rovers Return Dog Training? You can book you call here