Understanding and Preventing Reactivity and Aggression in Your Dog #29

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Today's topic covers the serious issue of reactivity and aggression in dogs. If you have a challenge with your dog, I strongly advise that you seek out the help of a Certified Veterinary Behaviorist who is equipped to deal with these issues in a reinforcement-based program. Seek the help of a qualified professional who will, where needed, use pharmaceutical intervention to help create a different reality for your dog, so your dog does not go through life feeling the need to react.

I'm sharing how what is "different" can lead to reactivity or aggression, and how a lot of aggression is learned. It's not that there is something wrong with the dog. You can help your dog to catalogue experiences in a way that is appropriate for their well being and yours.

In the episode you'll hear:

• Insights into why aggression can be a learned behavior.
• How you and your dog can have better outcomes.
• What stimulus is, and what's good, innocuous and not good for your dog.
• Understanding stimuli from your dog's perspective.
• Why "different" creates a response in your dog.
• How your dog's curiosity could lead to reactivity.
• What a dog's cautious curiosity can look like.
• The importance of what happens during and after our dog displaying curiosity for something that is different.
• The two strategies you need for changing a trigger and minimizing the stress of an experience for your dog.
• Why you should believe what your dog is telling you.
• What you can do to help your dog.

Resources:

Podcast Episode 4: T.E.M.P. (Tail, Eyes/Ears, Mouth, Posture)-https://dogsthat.com/podcast/4/
Podcast Episode 27: Do Dogs Need Rules?-https://dogsthat.com/podcast/27/
Podcast Episode 24: Help for the Dog who Chases Chipmunks, Bicycles, and the Neighbor's Cat-https://dogsthat.com/podcast/24/
Video Blog: Understanding Your Dog's Triggers-https://susangarrettdogagility.com/2019/01/understanding-your-dogs-triggers/
Video Blog: Dog Body Language, Fear and Aggression-https://susangarrettdogagility.com/2018/06/body-language-fear-and-aggression/
Blog Post: Leash Aggression in Dogs: Are We Trying To Put Out A Fire With Gasoline?-https://susangarrettdogagility.com/2015/11/leash-aggression-in-dogs-are-we-trying-to-put-out-a-fire-with-gasoline/