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.

Growing Older With Dogs: How Our Best Dog Choices Change With Age.

Michael Baugh CDBC

Sixty crept up on me. I’m not saying forty feels like yesterday, but it certainly doesn’t feel like three dogs ago (Stella and Stewie were concurrent). We are getting older, have been since the day we were born. The choices we make about living with dogs need to be different from the choices we made thirty, twenty, even ten years ago.

Choose a puppy? At my age? Probably not. A lot of things change in our later decades. Many of us become happier and more emotionally stable — yay. On the other hand, our skin gets thinner. That sure takes a lot of joy out of raising a puppy. All puppies bite; it’s normal; and their teeth are very sharp. If you are on a blood thinner (I’m not), that can make things even more serious. And our knees. Mine remind me often that I don’t want to be chasing a crazy playful puppy around at top speed like I did when I was younger. Maybe a two-year-old or three-year-old dog would be a better choice.

Choose the dog that would be right for you five years from now. I know this is tough to predict, and most of us don’t want to think about it. My dog, Charlie, will probably live another ten years (more, I hope). That means I may start a new life with a new dog at seventy. I hope to be strong and healthy at seventy. The question is, do I want a large, active adult retriever (for example) who needs a lot of exercise and pulls on the leash and jumps on me when I come home at seventy-five? No. Of course I would train him. But training a large dog is still a physical endeavor. Better if I choose a smaller dog, something cute and cuddly, please.

Choose to have the hard conversation. We are used to outliving our dogs. Eventually, one will outlive us. This is difficult to imagine now when we are healthy and enjoying life more than ever. We should think about it, though. If death comes for me at seventy-five, who will take care of my beloved little five-year-old dog? All of us, without exception, need to have a care plan for our dogs, a safety net for them in the event of our passing. Talk to your younger family and friends. Get a commitment and put your wishes in writing.

If you have money — and I know some of you do — consider what one of my clients has done. She set up a trust for her dogs. It’s in her will: money (a considerable sum) for their care after her passing.

I want to have a dog my whole life, she told me one day after our training session.

I smiled. Of course, you should.

Imagine it: graying hair and graying muzzles, slow walks, evenings in your favorite chair. It’s all possible. Choose well for the years you’ll have together. And when the time comes for either of you to say goodbye, know that you planned well, loved deeply, and gave each other a life worth remembering.

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