Thank you, very helpful. And so so nice to hear it’s common and there is hope ❤ Quick question: Do you have a video or tips on how to take the boundary outside? Getting better at home on his mat but I’m not sure how to do this in the garden and beyond/outside environment?
Hi Katie! 😀 There is 1000% hope!! You've got this!! 😘 You approach boundaries out and about in the same was as you do at home. Take it right back to the first stages (as remember, it's a harder challenge), and work through the stages! At first, you only want to increase the difficulty very gradually and if you can see you've taken it a little fast, that's ok, it's all super useful information, just take it back a step and think about how you can adjust your plan slightly to help set your pup up for success. 🌟 You might actually use different rooms in your house as a half-way house to playing boundaries outside - have you ever played boundaries in the bathroom? 🛁 The hallway? That's quite a lot of novelty in itself and good practice for taking the games outside! You want to start generalising your boundaries by playing in lots of different locations (whilst always training the dog in front of you - there's no rush!). You can also start training with a portable boundary (like a mat) at home, that you can then take out and about with you to help them generalise their boundaries! Short, fun sessions and check out this free e-book for a deep dive on training boundaries! game.absolute-dogs.com/boundary-games-ebook Let us know how you're getting on!! 💕
Morning! I found this so helpful! I have a 10 month bearded collie who is my sixth beardie. I havent ever had a reactive dog so found this clip sooooo helpful! Thank you!😁🐶🐶jan
I am the same I have a border collie who us garden reactive mainly wanting to chase bark and seek out seagulls I haven't a clue on where to go to atop this
Hey Rebecca, start off playing the games indoors and then build up to playing outside. If needed you can use a higher value treat while getting started
does this work with scooters. my dogs reaction is so extreme and no matter where i walk him i end up bumping in to them. he's a huntaway so to exercise him enough in the garden is hard. he also doesn't like getting in cars to travel to fields.
We would definitely recommend practicing this one a lot at home or in a safe space, so your dog learns to navigate and shift position with the scooters position and movements. WE absolute encourage you to adjust some of the mechanics to make it work for you and the scooter mobility. We also recommend Ditching the Walk if they're particularly painful for your dog. Rehearsal is the mother of skill so if he's really struggling on his walks and experiencing a lot o triggers causing reactivity, ditching the walks is going to be a huge relief and help him empty his stress Bucket. The more he rehearses calmness and an empty Bucket the easier it will come to him. There are so many games in the Games library that will help provide enrichment and exercise he needs to be satisfied without the bucket fill from triggers. Our Games Club doors are currently open when you can get access to our library of over 300+ games a resources, plus bonus access to our mini courses Stop Barking, Stop Pulling, Stop Jumping, The Calmness course, Boundary Games, and Nifty Solutions. Check it out here: absolutedogs.me/gamesclub 🐾✨
I don’t think reactive is a label as much as it is a description of what a dog is going through. “Reactive” is just any reaction a dog has towards a trigger. Not positive, not negative!
Hiya, I am having issues with my 17 month old lab, she is my 5th lab {I also had 2 Retrievers}, I also have her mum who is 6 & my black lab who will be 11 next week x I have never had a dog who is as reactive to certain other dogs & some people & although I can train dogs this is something I am not familiar with, I am out of my depth & I do not know what to do to help her... I contacted a local trainer who runs classes & uses concept training in the hope this will help us, it starts next week & so I am trying to learn all I can about concept training as it is new to me It has got to a point where I am scared to let her off the lead in public because once she zones in on a dog she will not come back or be caught & her body language comes across as very aggressive & she is going to pick the wrong dog who is going to go for her & I do not want that & so I am avoiding these situations, keeping her on a lead or booking private dog fields to let her run loose with the other two But I do not want this, I want to build her confidence & mine in her so she can be off the lead & we can go for walks anywhere without me having to consider how busy that place will be & what could potentially happen... I do feel responsible for this behaviour as I do tend to go quiet places to walk them although we have went to busier places... My oldest lab does have criteria that people/dogs need to fulfill in order to be barked at & I think Pixie has learnt this from her but obviously she doesn't know her criteria... I just want to help her become the best dog & I need help to do that & your videos are helping x
Hi Karen, Thanks so much for reaching out. Here is a link to a super free ebook that will get you started in understanding how Concept Training works game.absolute-dogs.com/start-here There is absolutely hope of off-leash freedom for your Pixie girl. It all starts with doing exactly as you are - using management strategies like keeping her on leash or using private fields and holding that responsibility when you know she doesn't have the skills yet. You are an amazing dog guardian for knowing this. Then comes working to build her Disengagement, Optimism, and Confidence skills in environments where its easy for her to win. This will help grow her ability carry out the dog-dog interaction chain in a calmer way. Is your concept trainer one of our Absolute Dogs Pro Dog Trainers? If so, then you are in excellent hands. 💕 Also check out this super podcast about the potential of playing games and training concepts. There's always hope 💕absolute-dogs.com/theres-no-hope/
Yes, raw can be sticky and tricky! Not to worry, we have a resource for that! Another great option is to use fruits and veggies for the training or use some freeze dried treats! Lots of options to make it work for your raw eater 😊absolutedog.s3.amazonaws.com/ebooks/eBook-DitchTheBowlRAW_08.pdf
