20/03/2025
Reactivity can be modified with training, lots of training, but it takes time… A long time. You can use all kinds of tools…look up ‘how to’ on YouTube, read books about it, or contact a professional dog trainer.
The thing about training is that you will get conflicting advice, depending on what kind of methods the dog trainer uses, and the same is true when you try to look it up online.
The thing about training also is that reactivity is not a training problem. The thing about training is that we seem to think it’s OK to go in and change our dog’s behavior without considering the implications of doing so.
The thing about training is, I repeat, the fact that dog behavior problems are NOT training problems, but WELFARE problems.
The thing about training is that it’s not our dog’s behavior we should be concerned with changing - but rather the dog’s environment.
The thing about training is that it doesn’t take into consideration the big WHY your dog is reactive in the first place.
The thing about training is that it often doesn’t take into consideration your dog’s genetic make-up and the fact that different breeds will react differently to stimuli in the environment.
The thing about Training is that it fails to take into consideration, one very important piece of the puzzle = YOU, the dog’s parent.
What about your behavior, your body language your tone of voice? The fact is your dog mirrors your behavior and so to help your dog learn how to navigate triggers better - let’s start with number one = YOU, the dog parent and give YOU tools to work with!
Another key factor that has been missing in dog training is the PURPOSE of the walk. What is the purpose of the walk to you, the dog parent? And what do you think the purpose of the walk is to your dog?
Dog training has been so consumed with focusing on the dog, when in fact, your dog learns from YOU. By changing YOUR behavior and becoming what I call ‘An ACTIVE Parent’ to your dog as you are to your child, and by changing the PURPOSE of the walk, you are on your way to success! It really is very SIMPLE.