Bob's Corner
Understanding Reactive Dogs
The term “reactive dog” is used often - and often misunderstood. I thought I would try to clear it up a little and let people know what they can do to help a dog who is “Reactive.”
In short, a reactive dog directly responds to what he sees in the person or environment around him/her. As you can imagine, a dog like this in a shelter environment is hyper sensitized; a shelter is a new environment to the dog, with a lot of new people and animals.
To a reactive dog, if you get angry, so does he/she. If you are relaxed, so is he/she. This dog feeds off of our emotions and the energy of the environment they are in. They are the dogs that you see spinning, barking, and jumping with great enthusiasm.
These types of dogs, for a variety of reasons, are very prevalent in shelters - more than any other type of dog. They are generally the type of dogs who owners give up on. The owners either do not look for them when they get loose, or turn them in to us because they do not know how to deal with them. Since these dogs “react” highly and feed off your energy, so if you get angry at their negative behavior, it will only exacerbate the problem. You must ignore the unwanted behavior – no matter how difficult, simply do not respond to negative behavior. They jump? You turn your back and ignore them.
But they must get an immediate reward for doing the right thing via verbal praise, petting, and/or the leash on for a walk with verbal praise. Maintaining praise and light, mild touch will help them keep calm and under control.
These types of dogs do best with rewards (verbal, petting, treats) for positive actions. A trainer or person who uses a negative response with this type of dog is doomed to failure. The best way to deal with these dogs long term is to implement the three C’s of training: Continuity, Consistency, and Calm Control. Combined with positive motivational training, these dogs can be successful in a home environment.
These dogs never learned to calm themselves; they did not have the benefit of a loving home with rules and standards of behavior. We can do them the a tremendous service by offering them calm and patience - to which these dogs are especially sensitive. An example for volunteers at our center: if a dog spins, barks, and jumps at the kennel door as you're about to walk them, patiently wait until they calm themselves, then reward them with light praise when they calm. Eventually, they will...and they'll learn that this calm behavior will earn them reward.
Reactive dogs, whether in a home environment or a shelter, respond especially well to Massage, Aromatherapy, Grooming, and Social Handling Exercises. For more information on joining our trained corps of volunteers who can offer massage and social handling exercises to our shelter dogs, please contact me - we have many dogs who will benefit from your service! For dogs already in a home, several local behaviorists may offer these services. As always, be sure to check references to ensure that your behaviorist is reputable, humane, and effective.
If you have question about your own pet who was adopted from the Escondido Humane Society, please contact me at my information below - I'd be happy to talk with you more. Please note that, with 5,000 animals a year in our care, we can only offer our free behavior consults for EHS Alumni - but we can recommend local, humane trainers who can help anyone more in depth. Those who are interested in volunteering in the behavior department are encouraged to contact me to learn more.
Potty Training
Let's start as if the dog knows nothing (he may or may not). Put the dog on a leash or in a crate when you cannot watch him. Take him out on a leash (so that he does not get distracted), and keep him out for 15 to 20 minutes (even if he goes both 1 and 2) to make sure he does all he needs to. You can put a chair in the middle of the spot you want him to go (then sit there, or stand if you like and let him do circles around you); do not walk him around (then he gets distracted and forgets where and what he is supposed to be doing and where he is supposed to do it). When the dog goes, praise him like it is the best thing he has ever done! Now, there are some rules that go along with this: Take him out every 20 minutes OR after he sleeps, naps, eats, plays, and before bed at night (also before car rides). The rest of the time he is on leash with a responsible person who can say, "Hey," and run him outside to finish if he attempts to do 1 or 2 inside. Be sure to praise him. Now the dog earns your trust (same as a child does) by showing they responsible. They are allowed a little more freedom every time they are reliable for three days in a row. Any mistakes, go back to square one.
The Escondido Humane Society and its staff want each adoption to be a lifelong success. We offer several programs to help you with any behavioral/training issues you may have with your new pet. Although we observe each dog during their stay here and every dog is temperament tested, they may not exhibit the same demeanor once they are settled into your home. If you begin to experience behavior problems or have specific concerns, please contact us for a complimentary consultation with our Director of Animal Behavior Services. This consultation is free for all animals adopted from the Escondido Humane Society. Pet adoption is a lifetime commitment, and we are here to help you and your pet create a happy home!
The Escondido Humane Society offers free behavioral consultations for our adopted dogs and cats for the life of the animal!
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