Freya V. Locke - Dog Behaviourist | Author | Blogger. Issue 26, 2024
Freya V. Locke - Dog Behaviourist | Author | Blogger. Issue 26, 2024
The Reactivity Special
Hi Gang
I asked in our free Facebook group this week for some ideas on what people needed help with, with their dogs. Overwhelmingly, the answer came back as reactivity, especially around other dogs! So this week I shall put together a collection of resources for you to help your dog with.
Of course, if you are really struggling, do get in touch with me and I will be able to help you overcome them.
Or if you prefer, you can book a one hour zoom session with me!
Fun Not Fear® Journal
Is your dog aggressive around other dogs or people?
It’s tough to see our normally lovely floofers barking and lunging. Nonetheless, there are approaches to support them during this struggle and find peace with the world. Understand more about canine aggression and the fight or flight response, plus learn canine body language to understand and avert your dog’s behaviour.
Resource Guarding Masterclass - available from our Gumroad shop, or FREE if you become a Fun Not Fear® Club Member.
Find out why your dog guards things, and how you can help them to no longer feel the need to!
Barking Masterclass - available from our Gumroad shop, or FREE if you become a Fun Not Fear® Club Member.
Find out how to deal with your dog’s barking at triggers, and help them feel better and more confident in the process.
If you are part of the Fun Not Fear® Club, you will also have access to our brilliant course “Understanding Your Anxious Family Dog” with lots of help and advice. You will also have weekly access to a chartered behaviourist & trainer.
Spotted and sharing.
The Engage Disengage game is one of my favourite ways to help dogs with triggers:
This game works via a process called “Desensitisation and Counter-conditioning” and it teaches the dog that a) they can look away from highly arousing or scary things, and b) that the thing can mean “good news” as they get nice things when the trigger is near.
Slowly they learn that the trigger is not so bad. This helps with aggression because if the trigger is not a bad one, they don’t need to fight it off or run away from it.
My other posts - because I write about other stuff too!
Handy links.
If you are struggling with your dog and aggression - do not try and punish a growl, or attempt to use aversive training methods and equipment. These may work short term but in the long term can make things much worse. Put management in place - use stairgates, leads, muzzles, anything that will stop your dog from being able to bite. Then get in touch with me as a matter of urgency and I will help you.
That is it for this week
Warm’n’Fuzzies,
Freya x