Are dog walks stressful for you and your dog?
Did you imagine having a dog that you could take anywhere, but you’ve found yourself with a dog that bark and lunges at everything on walks?
Do you wish everyone could see the calm, loving dog that you see at home, rather than the barking lunging dog they turn into in the outside world?
I know how you feel! I’ve been there!
Dogs can bark and lunge for a variety of reasons, whether they be scared rescue dogs or dogs we have had since a puppy. I will help you work out why they are behaving this way and guide and support you into changing that behaviour.
My methods are not about short term fixes, like distracting your dog with food. I will work with you and your dog to understand the emotions behind their reactions. This will enable me to create a tailored plan to change the emotion so that there is a long-term, lasting change in behaviour.
How can I help?
Packages available from £425
- 1.5-2 hr assessment to discover the cause of your dog’s behaviour
- I will provide a detailed report so that you can understand your dog better
- I will provide a structured plan, tailored to you and your dog to help change your dog’s behaviour without fear or punishment
- I will give you simple, step-by-step training techniques so you can learn how to help your dog and make walks better for both of you
- I will provide demo videos so you can see the training in action
- I will give you strategies for managing your dogs unwanted behaviour
- You will have my support and empathy throughout your journey with regular video call check-ins
What is a reactive dog?
Reactive dogs are sensitive dogs, who find some situations overwhelming and therefore over-react. Owners of reactive dogs may worry they have an aggressive dog.
Reactive dogs are the ones that make us avoid certain places or situations. They are the ones that leave us apologising to other dog owners, cyclists and the postman on a regular basis.
We might cringe as they start barking again at a person in the street for no apparent reason, or worse still lunge towards them. They might bark at everything outside the house and noises in the house too!
Reactive dogs can cause us tears and heartache, but can also be the most loving and gentle dogs in their home environment.
How to train a reactive dog
The first thing a reactive dog needs is space. If your dog is barking, lunging or trying to bite, they are trying to tell you they cannot cope with the situation. That may be seeing a dog or stranger up close or perhaps traffic passing on your walk.
Reactive dog’s do not need obedience training, most of them are very obedient when they are calm. If your dog ignores all the commands they usually respond to, it is because they are too stressed to hear you and they can’t respond.
To reduce your dog’s reactivity on walks, you need to change the emotions they are feeling. This is not the same as obedience training. If you have already seen a dog trainer about your dog’s reactivity and don’t feel like there has been any improvement, that is probably why. You need a behaviourist to help you understand the underlying emotions that are causing the behaviour.
How to manage your dog’s reactivity while you find help:
- To reduce your dog’s reactivity on walks, choose quiet walks away from things that upset them.
- To calm your reactive dog on walks, let them have plenty of time for sniffing. Sniffing is calming and lowers your dog’s heart rate. This will help them be calmer.
- If your dog is hyper vigilant and doesn’t sniff on walks, try to encourage them by scattering treats in some grass and helping them find them.
Expert 1-2-1 reactive dog training in Lincolnshire & Norfolk
Choose your level of support
Reactive dog training consultation (Silver Package) costs £425
3 month package -focus on 1-2-1 support to help you understand why your dog is behaving the way they are and give you techniques to help manage and change the behaviour. This gets you started on your journey to a calmer dog and more pleasant dog walks for both you.
Reactive Dog Training Package (Silver Package + Calmer Class) £450
3 month package gives you both 1-2-1 and class support.
The 1-2-1 sessions help you understand why your dog is behaving the way they are and give you techniques to help manage and change the behaviour. This gets you started on your journey to a calmer dog and more pleasant dog walks for both you. The classes will give you a supportive place to help you practice and hone your new found skills and knowledge in a safe environment with other dog owners that understand because they are in the same position.
Add additional in person 1-2-1’s to either of these packages for just £50!
What to expect
Initial Assessment
Takes up to 2 hours. I will use a variety of methods to assess your dog’s behaviour and identify the emotions causing it. This may take place at my training facilities near Louth, Lincolnshire or Besthorpe, Norfolk. or at your home.
(Remote assessments are also available to help Reactive dogs anywhere in the UK)
Veterinary Support
Liaising with your vet if necessary to rule out any medical issues that may be contributing to your dog’s behaviour
Training
I will provide a detailed report so that you can understand your dog better
I will provide a structured plan, tailored to you and your dog to help change your dog’s behaviour without fear or punishment
I will give you simple, step-by-step training techniques so you can learn how to help your dog and make walks better for both of you
I will provide demo videos so you can see the training in action
I will give you strategies for managing your dogs unwanted behaviour
Support
2 in-person/remote follow up session
2 video-call check-ins
3 months email/WhatsApp support
All so you can get the help and support you need, when you need it. I am here to guide you and your dog through your journey to calmer dog walks.
Reactive Dog Training Classes in Lincolnshire
Calmer Class has been created to offer a safe place for reactive dogs and their owners to practice and train. Developed by a qualified canine behaviourist specialising in reactive dog training. Small class numbers ensure everyone gets the most out of each class and help you learn how to train your reactive dog. Members of Calmer Class have made huge progress and many have gone on to attend other group training classes as well as take part in group canicross runs.
Small class numbers ensure dogs are not overwhelmed and everybody gets the support they need.
Classes are monthly on a Sunday morning at 11am in Louth, Lincolnshire. You can attend on an ad hoc basis.
All dogs must have had an initial assessment with Gemma before attending class.
How to socialise a reactive dog – Can I just socialise my dog more to stop them being reactive?
If you think your dog is reactive to other dogs on walks or reactive to strangers, the first step is to contact a qualified behaviourist to ask them to assess your dog. Behaviourists look at every aspect of a dog’s behaviour. They will ask lots of questions to build up a picture of your dog’s temperament and history, all of which is unique to your dog. This helps the behaviourist to identify the emotions behind your dogs behaviour.
Barking and lunging at other dogs or people does not necessarily stem from the same emotion in each dog. The behaviour may look similar, but the underlying emotions can be very different and include, fear, frustration and pain. You might have a dog that reacts to everything outside the house, or a dog that only seems to be reactive when they are on their lead. A qualified behaviourist has the expert knowledge and experience to be able to assess which emotions are causing your dog’s behaviour. They can then tailor a training programme to help you and your dog. There is not a one size fits all training plan for dog reactivity, so what worked for Fred from Facebook’s dog will not necessarily work for yours. There is a risk when using methods that are not tailored to your dog, you may inadvertently worsen their behaviour.
So back to socialisation. There are two types of socialisation sessions that local trainers, daycare and dog lovers offer. Off lead and on lead. Lets start with off lead.
Why can’t we just take our dog reactive dog to off lead socials and let them get used to being around other dogs?
- If your dog is fearful this could cause them to shut down in fear, which from the outside view may look like an improvement, but on the inside your dog is terrified. Or they may react aggressively when another dog approaches them, causing a fight and injury.
- If your dog is frustrated around other dogs, because they get too excited and want to play with everyone, this can cause them to demonstrate rude, over zealous behaviour to other dogs, also resulting in a fight.
- If your dog only shows reactive behaviours on the lead, but is fine off the lead, then taking them to off lead socialisation will not improve their on lead behaviour. It could even make it worse, because they expect to be able to play with every dog they meet.
- Off lead sessions are often not supervised by anyone that is qualified in dog behaviour. This means they may not notice the tense body language that dogs display before aggression begins. This puts your dog and others at risk of injury.
What about on lead socialisation?
- Although this is definitely the safer option due to the increased control, it may not allow your dog the space they need to feel calm and comfortable around other dogs and people.
- One of the main things reactive dogs need is space from things that cause them to react. A group walk may not allow this due to narrow paths or other friendly dogs that want to say ‘Hi’.
- You need a plan in place before attending any socialisation so that you know what to do to help your dog. This should be done after as assessment by a qualified behaviourist.