Reactive Dog Training: Help Dogs Move from Dysregulation to Self-Regulation Case Study

If you are training a reactive dog, there’s so much you can do to help them move from dysregulation in the face of triggers to self-regulation. I’ve got a case study of my previously reactive, dysregulated dog This!, covering the steps I took and how strategic co-regulation grew her confidence. Drawing from a game I created for my dog Buzz in the 1990s, a big help to This! was to have her look at what could trigger her and then for her to look back to me. The game is in my book, Shaping Success. For This!, I used a chin target so she was not taken by surprise. There’s more in the video!

🐾Key Tips to Help Dogs with Self-Regulation:

00:00 Case Study on Dog Reactivity with Susan Garrett.
00:13 This!’s dysregulation with other dogs.
01:10 What co-regulation looked like with my dog.
04:19 Reinforce good choices.
04:42 Moving to self-regulation and habituation.
05:15 Behavior is communication.
05:45 Be an advocate for your dog.

🐾Resources:

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Dogs That is brought to you by Susan Garrett and the Say Yes Dog Training Team.

Susan Garrett’s interest in animal behaviour started at the University of Guelph where she earned a Bachelor of Science majoring in Animal Science. Since then she has developed into a preeminent dog trainer and canine sports instructor and competitor. Susan is one of the most successful agility competitors of the last three decades. She has won multiple Gold Medals at National or World Championship events with every dog she has ever owned over the past 30 years.

A natural teacher and an entertaining speaker, Susan is world renowned as a leading educator of dog trainers. Her understanding of how to apply science-based learning principles to both competitive and family pet dog training has been pivotal in changing how dogs are trained.

Susan is now helping many thousands of dog owners in 132 countries have the best relationship possible with their dogs. The real joy for her comes from bringing confidence to dogs and their owner through playful interactions and relationship building games that are grounded firmly in the science of how animals learn.
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[DogsThat]

🐶Watch the full podcast on how to overcome Dysregulation for Humping, Barking, Destructive and Reactive Dogs:

▶ And check out my strategic plan to help fearful, anxious dogs with confidence and calm:

[mariannemaes]

I came home from the Vet yesterday with the recommendation that I seek certified veterinary behaviorist. I am going to do this. And I’m grateful that I have Susan’s series to watch (like a scientist) to begin to understand how to train the reactions my puppy is having, into a better behavior. I’m feeling hopeful ❤

[shellzzabat]

As a mountain dog, my rescue seemed to be regulated and familiar with them, passing by. When we moved to a busy city, she had to get accustomed to the sounds of buses, trucks, barking of other dogs, constant dogs walking with their owners or dogs passing below our balcony. The difference between the docile mountain dogs she was used to and the city dogs- the city dogs would growl or lunge at her. All her training seemed to be out the window because she felt that I was threatened or that she would be harmed also. So, now she will bark and also lunge first offensively to be protective. After several months, I finally would take her on these busy sidewalks in front of store fronts, with several people and dogs and children walking. She loves babies and children. I still have to place a cozy over her head, but she is now learning again to regulate her behavior. I realize that many owners will walk their dogs in public or into stores and restaurants, but don't actually have them trained or self-regulating then act as if my dog was the aggressive one when she would defend or protect me/her. As a rescue, in the beginning as a puppy she was afraid of many things including other dogs, big or small and those tiny dogs would growl intimidating her. My friend and I would walk out dogs together along the river, but I don't necessarily trust the dogs in the city or their owners who claim that their dogs "never" act this way or that's so odd because their dog is "normally" so behaved. This is wonderful. I can use this video to re-train or pivot from what she's learned and maybe reactively forgotten since moving to the big noisy and unruly city.

[bapaul]

As a behavior analyst, I approve this message. 😊

[LoneLupine]

I have a german shep rescue who is dog and people reacrive. Ive been doing a very similar method and it's working really well! We've reached the "whire noise" point with people, but not dogs yet

Ive only had him for a year and a half and for first year we wasted time and money on a trainer who didn't really help. She was a good trainer but didn't speak my learning language so it just became a mess and i got discouraged

Your videos really helped me along, especially the "seen on the seam" method and I'm so so grateful for your videos

Thank you!

[Lilithliin]

I have been following your tips with my neighbors dog and they really work thank you so much for everything you share with us it helps and when we do what you suggest the results are just as you say they will be.

[kathyshearin]

I just adopted a 2 1/2 yr old border collie and I needed this video so bad. We live in a quiet country home but go to a busy ocean house in the summer. She loves people but is afraid of dogs and goes crazy on walks like yours did. I’m so happy you showed up in my feed. I will be implementing your advice tmrw. And based on your expertise i am faithful it’s going to work!!

[didipershouse]

Super helpful. Thank you. It fills in a lot more of This's story.

[nadyapare]

Very helpful advice, I will try this.

[IonsulFerrin-jb]

Thanks you Susan and team for all the AMAZING videos you put out. I always get so much out of them.😁
I would LOVE to see an episode on how to introduce dogs where one or both of the dogs are not that confidant and have a history of reactivity/resource guarding. Specifically dogs that do not live together.(project togetherness wouldn’t in this case because the other dog is not that well trained.)
I want my dog to be able to play with friends but I don’t feel ready to deal with his resource guarding.❤

[LynneKJ]

This is such sensible and achievable advise. Thank you Susan.

[EpsilonAD]

Thank you Susan. Very helpful cue giver tips for excitable dogs.
I celebrate each small win as Eps confidence grows. Other dogs on lead on walks or excited people who struggle to refrain from excitedly greeting jacketed working dogs can still be overwhelming in for her when in close proximity.
Your channel has been very helpful with increasing her tolerance and confidence. 💞🐾

[janetrains]

Thanks, Susan, really appreciate your videos, going to share them with a client I'm working with that has this exact same problem!

[IsabelleBouchard]

Thanks for describing what you did to help This! I have a similar issue with my dog and will be applying your method. I love when you share your personal experience with your dogs. That makes training applicable to daily real life issues.

[JanisBrown-xdxv]

I am curious about the time frame of this project ?
I have a dog who has the same issue with other dogs as This.
How many trips to the park, how long did it take for the process to fix the problem ?
I understand the lessons included is this podcast, however a time frame would be helpful ?

[evelynfreney]

What kind of frequency of these outings (light exposure) is necessary for it to be efficient?? Love love love your content ❤

[Alyssa-uibf]

Thank you for sharing. This seems so so far away from reality for us. He has rehearsed this reactive behavior for 9+ months now, and it feels hopeless. I will start small. Do you suggest I start sitting at a place we may see dogs far away, with a meat bone like you shared? Or perhaps we need even a smaller step. I’m not sure what to do, so I do nothing. I think that’s common but I want it to change!

[emilyyiweitan]

My dog is not food motivated. He never takes food when when we are outdoors, even his highest value treats. He has small dog syndrome from a bad experience when a bigger dog barked at him when he was 6 months old. He did get slightly better over time as he grew to know that not dogs are nasty. Thanks Susan!

[amandahale]

We have been racking our brain how to help our pup. She loves to play with other dogs. And if she is off leash in a field for example...she plays and is perfectly fine. But if we are walking on leash...she screams and lunges to dogs and people...even when they are far away. Of course, the closer they are, her intensity increases. Is it better to walk her less than have the reactive walks? Its tough bc of our location (in an apt community full of dogs). We do our best to avoid seeing dogs but its impossible sometimes.

[mrsbrasamony]

OMG! How can l find a trainer like you???? Tried so much training on flouxentine now but l know she can do it.