Course Details
This workshop will give trainers tips regarding how to put appropriate canine communication signals on cue for reactive dogs. You will learn the common calming and “cutoff” signals that dogs send to teach other to avoid conflict, how to identify these signals in clients’ dogs when they occur naturally and how to effectively reinforce the dog for offering them. You’ll also learn how to put many of these signals on cue to improve dog/dog communication in the “real world,” and how these signals can help reactive dogs learn to communicate and have more positive experiences with other dogs. Finally, you’ll learn when to use these tools when working with reactive dog clients.
Class Syllabus
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Calming signals, as identified by Turid Rugaas, with a focus on:
- · Turning away (head and/or body)
- · Sniffing the ground (out of context)
- · Licking lips, flicking tongue, licking nose
- · Lifting a paw
- · Moving slowly or freezing in place; sitting or lying down suddenly
- · Yawning
- · Blinking, squinting
- · Shaking off (as if wet)
- · Scratching body, usually the neck (out of context)
- · Checking genital area
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How to effectively use food, toy/play and/or environmental reinforcers to reinforce the dog for appropriate responses to other dogs.
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Teaching turn head away (hand target), turn body away (spin), “go sniff” and play bow; possible capturing and naming of behaviors like yawning, licking lips and shaking off
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Discussion of appropriate communication cues becoming automatic to the reactive dog, reinforcing a flight vs. fight response to other dogs/triggers.
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Evaluating common situations and ideas for when to use these skills with a client’s dog
Watch the trailer:
Instructor: Amanda Boyd
