YouTube - Surprise Party - Clicker Training: helping the reactive dog

pre-train at home under no distraction first - then manage the reactive-dog and the environs
to slowly introduce the reaction-triggers (the other dog, garbage-can, high-wheeled BIG diesel-truck, squirrel...),
while keeping the dog under threshold. notice how the head-down hunt for treats, gives the reactive-dog
a non-confrontational appearance to the dog passing by - sniffing is a displacement activity, which is calming
to the dog sniffing, and reassuring to the dog observing that behavior.

for more on Triggers + Thresholds, see
Working with a fearful dog

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terry pride, APDT-Aus, apdt#1827, CVA, TDF
*wolves R wolves, dogs R dogs, + primates R us.*
tmp, sept-2007

thanks for posting this have just watched and as alfie is very treat motivated i think we can use this in his training. we are coming on really well and yesterday was fantastic, looked at other dogs but no lunging or vocal noises kept focused on me, but this morning it was like we had gone back to step one of training, lunging and very vocal so i think the "suprise party game" would have been useful to try out, will start today at home! i dont know if anyone can help with a situation i find very confusing, we meet one little shiatsu called harvy who we managed to get to walk with ( at a comfortable distance for alfie) anyway last week we got close enough for harvys owner to give alfie a treat and praise him for being good, now when we meet alfie takes no notice of harvy at all very focused on his owner and treat, he gives harvey eye contact so acnowledges he is there (i wont let him get close to him at moment as i dont want a neg reaction from alfie and it frightens harvey) do i let harveys owner continue to greet alfie with a treat or not as he is more focused on her not harvey.???????????? a bit confused.
so if anyone can help would be grateful. thanks
suex

Note how helpful the stooges are in that video though. I had taught a foster dog to expect a treat from my hand, so I could have her looking away, and she would sniff for treats on ground without any training and naturally look back for more, knowing the source of them.

But the key issue was the comfort distance. On approach of another dog, even where it's body language was clearly non-threatening and relaxed, my under-socialised charge just became fearful and anxious, which then resulted in bluster-aggressive displays and I was following the advice to avoid glaring and such, and calm confrontration. She could read dog body language and play with friendly dogs she recognised from past in a healthy way, so it was all there, just a wild animal like distrust of stranger dogs and puppies. Treats just aren't interesting to an animal that's in survival fight or flight mode.

Thanks for posting this! I think this could be really helpful!

I will definitely start to introduce it into my training so that I can use it before she starts off on one!

She is normally very good at meeting other dogs but I think this will definitely help me gain her attention when she can hear but not see dogs!

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www.dogfilmstar.com

yes, the dog needs to 'know the drill' from practice in a non-distracting environment -
and don't forget to *read* Triggers + Thresholds for tips on keeping stimulus tolerable,
U want the reactive-dog to see or hear but Not react to, their trigger - whatever it is.
this is GREAT, sue! that's excellent progress, it has to start with one dog, so U are doing well.
it would be * nice * but it's not critical, to have the treat REWARD Alfie for looking at Harvy -
just a glance is fine, and marking that look audibly, with a cheerful, crisp, Yes! helps -
a clicker is better, because of the precision U can achieve with the 'Click!'-
the dog knows exactly what is being rewarded, if U have decent timing.

i would add Look At That and actually teach it at home: approach + touch something,
or SHAKE something, while telling Alfie in a happy tone, "look at that!" When he does, Mark + Reward that behavior.
he can learn to "look at That" by following Ur own eye-gaze, too, as a cue to what U are looking at.

pairing the phrase Look At That! with the audible or visual appearance of DISTANT dogs,
followed by a treat for looking calmly, will associate dog= good things.

associating Harvy with a goodie from his owner is just fine!
happy B-Mod,
--- terry

__________________
terry pride, APDT-Aus, apdt#1827, CVA, TDF
*wolves R wolves, dogs R dogs, + primates R us.*
tmp, sept-2007

Well good morning and what a wonderful morning it is, went for our am walk alfie was very focused on me today and walked loose lead like a star, on homeward trip he spotted harvey and his body language was brill he was wagging his whole body NOT ONE SIGN OF STRESS got to harvey and his owner told alfie to sit and he got his reward, then i praised him and he went to a down gave treat and then i gave harvey a treat and alfie just watched SO CALM in fact he went right down wwith his head on the floor, bless, we then walked a short way together with alfie and harvey walking within inches together!!!!!!! then we parted (much to alfies discust) but using the SUPRISE tactict he did not lunge or react to harvey going (something he did) we then met his nemasis (teacup yorkie) and with the SUPRISE everytime he looked at it without reaction we passed with no vocal or lunging, OH I LOVE TODAY.
unfortuinatly harvey and owner are moving so have to find another well balanced friend for alfie to trust!!!!! wish me luck, oh and yes i use clicker its my bible and golden tool in alfies training.

WoW... what a great update
good boy, Alfie! and GOOD owner!

it's too bad Harvy's owner is moving, i hope U find someone else soon -
will Harv's family be visiting or can U get together with them in a spot between both homes?
a park, beach, common footpath, or some similar area?

congratulations on passing the Yorkie so calmly - that's a great milestone.
don't be surprised if U have bobbles, but U are definitely making progress.
bask in the afterglow of a GREAT morning