Resolving Dog Reactivity by Teaching “This Way”

Michael Baugh CDBC

What are we trying to teach dogs who bark and lunge at other dogs, people, bikes, or cars on walks?

We call them “reactive dogs.” But what are we trying to replace that reactivity with?

Not simply the absence of barking. We want a dog who calmly follows our lead.

This Way

Let’s teach our dog to follow us when we cue, “This way.”

Say, “this way.” Turn 90 degrees off the path without pulling on the leash. Encourage your dog to follow. Praise warmly, then scatter three to five treats on the ground.

Practice “this way” several times during every walk, even when you don’t see other dogs or anything else that typically causes your dog to react.

We are teaching our dog that when something concerning appears, following us is safe and rewarding. Rather than barking and lunging, your dog learns to stay calm, follow you, and create distance.

I recommend turning at a right angle, either left or right, and moving off the path as far as you need. Sometimes that means walking up a neighbor’s driveway or sidewalk for a few moments. That’s okay. Your goal is to create enough distance for your dog to remain calm.

This way → increase distance → praise → scatter treats.

Under Threshold

When we actually encounter a trigger on a walk, such as another dog, our goal is to move before the barking and lunging begin. We call this working under threshold.

If I notice a trigger, I watch to see whether my dog has noticed it too. There is usually a brief moment after your dog sees the trigger but before emotion spills over into barking and lunging. That’s your opportunity.

Your dog sees the other dog. → “This way” → Move off the path, praise, and scatter treats.

Having practiced “this way” many times during ordinary walks, your dog will be much more likely to respond when it really matters.

Beyond Avoidance

Some people worry this is avoidance. It isn’t.

Your dog has seen the trigger. He knows it’s there. Instead of barking and lunging, he’s learning another response. He sees the trigger, follows you, earns reinforcement, and remains under threshold.

Over time, as your dog has many successful repetitions, he will naturally become comfortable at shorter distances from the things that once caused him to react. Walks become calmer, easier, and more enjoyable for both of you.

We’re not just trying to stop barking and lunging. We are teaching our dogs what to do instead.

 

Michael Baugh CDBC teaches dog training in Sedona, Arizona, Houston, Texas, and online everywhere. He specializes in aggressive dog training. 

Training Your Dog to Come When Called

Michael Baugh CDBC

Coming-When-Called (verb)

In response to a cue, the dog quickly decreases the distance from where they are to where you are, usually in a straight line, ending in front of you.

Reinforce this behavior every time it occurs.

Avoid asking for additional behavior, such as a sit, before reinforcing. Reward the come first. Everything else can wait.

The Sacred Promise

Many people tell me, “My dog will come if I say, ‘Treat!'”

Of course he will.

When you say “Treat,” you’re not lying to your dog. You fully intend to give him one.

So why not create that same certainty around the word “Come”?

Say, “(your dog’s name), Come!” Your dog runs to you. You give a treat. Every single time.

Come → Your dog comes → Treat.

That’s it.

The word Come should always mean the same thing: If you come to me, I’ll give you something.

Every time.

It’s a sacred promise.

And that’s the beginning of teaching a truly reliable come-when-called.

Simple, right?

Single-Rep Sessions

Throughout the day, randomly call your dog from another room.

Say, “(your dog’s name), Come!”

When your dog arrives, reinforce the behavior with a treat.

For best results, carry treats with you. If you don’t have one in your pocket, simply walk with your dog to where the treats are after he comes. That’s perfectly fine.

Then wait at least twenty minutes before calling him again.

Avoid practicing several repetitions in a row. Instead, teach in single-rep sessions scattered throughout the day.

Increase the Challenge

Once you and your dog are succeeding indoors, begin practicing outside.

Again, call once, reinforce. These are single-rep sessions.

If you’re not in a securely fenced area, use a long leash for safety.

The pattern never changes:

Come → Your dog runs to you → Treat. Every time.

Continue reinforcing this behavior throughout your dog’s life.

The goal isn’t to wean your dog off food reinforcement.

The goal is to build a recall so strong that your dog chooses you over squirrels, smells, other dogs, and every other competing motivator the world has to offer.

Few things in dog training are as satisfying as watching your dog sprint toward you full speed, eager, and joyful.

You’ll probably feel proud.

You’ll certainly feel more in control.

But my hope is that you’ll feel something even better: a deep connection with your dog.

That’s the best feeling of all.

That’s what you’ve been practicing for all along.

 

Micheal Baugh teaches dog training in Sedona, Arizona, Houston, Texas and online everywhere. He specializes in aggressive dog training. 

The Only Dog Training Energy We Need

Michael Baugh CDBC

There was a time when a television personality popularized the idea of “energy” in dog training. Dominance energy. Pack leader energy. Alpha energy.

It made for interesting television. He became a star. Too many dogs paid the price.

Those ideas about energy often translated into kicks, hard leash yanks, intimidation, and electric shocks delivered through remote collars.

Don’t get me wrong. I have no problem with the idea of energy in dog training. I live and teach dog training in Sedona. I’m surrounded by and immersed in the very best kind of energy.

But that alpha, dominant, pack leader nonsense? I call bullshit.

That’s not the vibe any of us should aspire to. It’s not the energy our dogs need. At best, it’s ego. At worst, and far too often, it’s abuse.

So what kind of energy should we bring to our dogs?

Kindness.

Patience.

Humility.

The willingness to listen instead of overpower. To teach, instead of intimidate. To ask, “How can I help my dog?” instead of “How can I make my dog submit?”

Every great religious tradition points us in this direction. So do the philosophers. So do the saints. They all arrive at the same conclusion: kindness is strength, not weakness.

The only dog training energy we really need is love.

Go ahead. Roll your eyes. Then hear me out.

Love isn’t soft. It isn’t permissive. It isn’t letting your dog do whatever they want.

Love pays attention.

Love notices when a dog is confused instead of calling them stubborn. Love sees fear instead of defiance. Love slows down when learning gets difficult. Love sets a dog up to succeed instead of waiting for them to fail.

Of course, we set boundaries. Of course, we don’t leave dogs to their own devices. That would be irresponsible. Life in our human world is tricky (ask any human), and our dogs depend on us to help them navigate it.

But anger is not a training technique, and shrouding it in the language of energy is an insult to our dogs and ourselves.

Look at your dog. They aren’t the ones hung up on leadership and dominance. Science debunked that idea long ago. Look at them in their quietest moment. See how they stare back at you, that slow, soft blink. Such patience, so much kindness from an animal who will never speak a word.

My dear fellow humans, that’s their vibe. That is your dog’s energy. I know you feel it. It’s Love.

 

Michael Baugh teaches dog training in Sedona Arizona, Houston Texas, and online everywhere. He specializes in aggressive dog training.