Calm Your Reactive Or Anxious Dog And Reduce Your Stress About Lunging, Barking, Growling
It can be stressful when your dog is reactive. If your dog is lunging, barking, or growling, you'll get a lot of unsolicited advice. It can also feel like you are alone! You need to know it's not your fault. To help, I've got my top tips for managing reactivity in dogs with two popular Shaped by Dog podcast videos combined into one.
Be sure to check out our playlist for reactivity and aggression as it covers the critical things everyone needs to know:
• Reactive or Aggressive...
00:00 Part 1 - Creating Confidence for Anxious, Stressed or Reactive Dogs
01:02 Anxiety when it's your dog reacting
02:50 It's not your fault
03:48 What to do for you
06:33 See the dog you love everywhere
07:49 Overwhelm prevention
09:19 Breaking training down
10:28 Resilience for dogs
11:41 Dog emotions
12:51 Learning from your dog
15:24 Part 2 - Creating Confidence for Anxious, Stressed or Reactive Dogs
15:26 Googling reactivity
16:27 Top 10 Suggestions
16:54 01 - Focus on reinforcement
18:45 02 - Believe your dog
18:59 Rocks, Fly Swatters and See-Saws
20:37 Transfer of value to you
21:41 03 - Know your dog's triggers
21:48 Perception triggers for generalization and desensitization
22:16 Fear triggers and stress
23:30 Why triggers don't stay static
25:03 04 - Using zones for confidence
27:13 05 - Anchor dogs
27:53 06 - What is Matching Law?
29:27 07 - Create active (good) triggers
31:25 08 - Positive conditioning for dogs to love training tools
33:02 09 - Benefits of online training for confidence
34:09 10 - Consulting a Veterinary Behaviorist
35:20 Want to know more on any point? Let us know!
P.S. Subscribe to our KZhead Channel so you get notifications of new videos!
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Dogs That is brought to you by Susan Garrett and the Say Yes Dog Training Team.
Susan Garrett’s interest in animal behaviour started at the University of Guelph where she earned a Bachelor of Science majoring in Animal Science. Since then she has developed into a preeminent dog trainer and canine sports instructor and competitor. Susan is one of the most successful agility competitors of the last three decades. She has won multiple Gold Medals at National or World Championship events with every dog she has ever owned over the past 30 years.
A natural teacher and an entertaining speaker, Susan is worlmond renowned as a leading educator of dog trainers. Her understanding of how to apply science-based learning principles to both competitive and family pet dog training has been pivotal in changing how dogs are trained.
Susan is now helping many thousands of dog owners in 132 countries have the best relationship possible with their dogs. The real joy for her comes from bringing confidence to dogs and their owner through playful interactions and relationship building games that are grounded firmly in the science of how animals learn.
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Check out our playlist for helping dogs with reactivity and aggression: htps://kzhead.info/channel/PLphRRSxcMHy0Tbd6ZybIXgJk3mtpBLLk7.html
The playlist is amazing and what I will be watching this weekend.
Susan, thank you for this podcast. Thank you for reminding me it is NOT FREAKING NECESSARY to beat myself up for feeling like I have failed my dog because she is not where I think she should be at her age. Several life events , including COVID, brought stressful circumstances to my life when I got my puppy and through her first 2 years of life with me. Thank you for permission to let that go n start again!!
I think this is one of the (if not THE) best explanations of the steps to progress and self affirmation for learner owners and their mindset.
Struggling with a reactive pup. Taking Homeschool the Dog currently. Susan gives us hope when sometimes I feel there is none. Thank you!
I’m so happy you mentioned medication for dog behavior! I used to feel guilty that my Roxy needs it! Now I’m happy the medication has helped her and we have made progress with her training! Also your advise about letting go of the shame and guilt I was feeling Has made a huge difference for my confidence Thank you Susan! I’ve watched a lot of dog trainers but you are the best!!
Thank you so much, Mary, we're so happy that you found a way for your dog (and you) to feel better! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
@@DogsThat ♥️♥️♥️♥️
I agree! I was thrilled to hear her say this as we have been giving our 4 month old a tiny bit of pure CBD (pet brand) in the evening because our little guy just cannot calm down. Stopped all play except some play/training after 4 pm and by 6 he is barking insanely and pawing the couch, biting. It is definitely helping him to relax and we use the long strokes, but don’t use baby talk on him during this time. Makes it worse!
Well done dog mom!! I am trying to decide about asking for medication, from my vet. But also I need to correct my energy and stress, that I know are "traveling down the leash". Thank you so much Susan.
I would like to see a podcast on how to calm/ counter condition a dog away from home. Specifically, when I go to an agility trial, the whining/ arousal starts in the parking lot. By the time we approach/ enter the ring, he is still whining, pupils are dilated, his entire body is trembling. I am frustrated and at a loss how to deal with this. He is an easy dog to live with at home and I can’t replicate the trial environment at home. For this dog there is no higher value reward than agility. I am a member of handling 360 and agility nation.
Exactly hit the spot..i am anxious because i have had a reactive dog and heard all those things. We really are improving and working on it.
@lollypop2413 so happy to hear things are improving, you've got this! Thank you for tuning in 💚
Thank you for that intro. I have held so much guilt that I failed my last dog, a miniature pinscher we found as a stray who was a complete stress case. There is so much conflicting advice out there and it can be overwhelming. I did my best but I didn't really know what to do for him, and only got minimal improvement. Now I need to release that guilt and try a new and hopefully better way.
Hi! Give grace to yourself, you've done the best you could with what you knew at the time. You can learn more on how to help overcome reactivity with this playlist: kzhead.info/sun/pNeBe5FliaGInas/bejne.html&pp=gAQBiAQB
I have Chihuahua Min Pin mix rescue that is anxious as well. I am so thankful I found Susan’s videos. I use CBD for her when it rains or have fireworks. It is the only thing that calms her.
yep I put all failures myself
‘Seeing our dog everywhere’ gave me some confidence. Our rescue was a stray in September and when she’s outside on a walk or in the yard, she’s like Jekyll and Hyde compared to indoors. It has stressed me out horribly. But when she’s indoors she is so much better, and so loving and smart. So I am going to remind myself of that. I’m trying to work with her through her horrible yard behavior of jumping and biting on me, but it’s a work in progress. I’m trying different things to see what works, because she gets so easily triggered and overstimulated. Reaching down to treat or touch her at all sets her off.
I love your podcasts they mean so much. Thank you Susan
Susan you make me laugh and I so needed to hear this today ❤
Thank you
Absolutely awesome!
Thank you @TheNeena85 💚
I’ve found you whilst in the process of understanding my new rescue dog. She has anxiety sensitivities and I’m establishing the exact nature and best way to address the shortfall in her ability to relax if I’m not there. So much helpful advice here but also permission to be at the bottom rung of the training ladder without guilt. At least you are at the ladder! Also, I wrote a list of positives about my dog. There’s only one thing, ONE THING, which she really needs support with. Admittedly it’s quite a significant one but I keep looking at that massive other side. I can’t quantify the level of help here. I’m watching each video as chronologically as I can and at least twice each! Thank you so much @DogsThat Susan xxx
Thanks so much for commenting, we're so grateful this is useful to you and your dog. We have a full playlist of resources for rescue dogs, here's the link for you: kzhead.info/sun/bKWolbmSnXmYiZs/bejne.html&pp=gAQBiAQB Happy training and please keep us posted ❤️❤️❤️
Thank tou Susan I need that pep talk today. I had someone have a winnge at me today tthanks for helping me out that in perspective ❤ thanks Feel much better now as My dog is not freeking lassie😊
This made me feel like I'm not alone! Working with my 8th Husky pup and he is the first one I've had who suffers from over stimulation/anxiety. Working with a Behavior Vet for the first time ever and feeling hopeless at times.
Thank you for sharing this. Your'e an Angel.
You are so welcome @fxavierls, we're grateful to your for watching our videos.
Thank you, Susan! This podcast has my name on it!! Pure gold! 🥰
Yay, thank you @merniejb 🧡
My dog would like to put a lot of hearts and likes for this video if he could! And I could train him to do that from what I learn from you, thank you for everything you and your team do.
Thank you, @Lilithliin!
omg, #10. Thank you.
Thank you so much for everything you do to help people like me that do not have experience with dogs to be better. Your videos and their summaries are just wonderful. Thank you!
❤️❤️❤️❤️
Thank you so much for this podcast! The beginning really spoke to me and I thought you were actually talking to me about my fears and anxieties with training my dog. You must have been watching me, I’m confident of that. Every time I’ve been wanting to enroll my dog in beginner obedience class, I’ve reached the point of not going as I cannot physically control my boy. He’s now reached his first birthday with no classes, either physically or online. I definitely need help.
@RoadThruGrace thank you for tuning in, and know that you are not alone! Our free IYC Summit is a great intro to learning online - recallers.com/iycsummit-join/
Sooo much information. Thanks for YTube so I can listen again. Thankyou so much for posting. And can we have one on "Please will you leave that cat alone."
Thanks for all Susan, i found you looking for solutions with my puppy and you change all my methods. I love the way my puppy is growing. Life changer for me. Loving Home School the Dog and hoping join recallers soon. If you come for holidays to Spain first two months at my home are for free, you and your team! ❤
You are so welcome, @josegomezcortegoso5715 and holidays in Spain for sure sounds totally awesome 💚
Susan, you are awesome! Currently we have two dogs that were rescued at my home. They are approximately five months old. The mail is showing signs of protecting my daughter. So when I come close, he wants to bite me. I love your reinforcement based training, but I usually draw a blank and I’m just not sure what to do when these situations arise. He is such a loving, sweet dog, but the aggression is unacceptable. Please do a podcast for this topic. Thank you so much for putting in your time and effort to help the somewhat lost dog owners in the world such as I am.
“Failure is about recoving and moving on” I was looking for these words for so long as I have failed in this aspect. My dog stays in a “omg i failed” state of mind for soooo long and gets severely stressed because i failed this severely important aspect. Now looking for solutions constantly ((
ABSOLUTELY! When I took on a 6-year-old who was strictly a kennel dog last August, I approached our adventure knowing I could give her the best life possible and I set us up for success.
Thank you for opening your heart and home to a dog who needed it, @drillteamaremen, and for such a lovely note 💚
I just started watching episodes of your training style on KZhead. I really enjoyed it. I would appreciate any advice from you. I foster dogs and every dog comes with difren challenges. They all have different issues but generally, all of them are not potty trained, never live inside, are afraid to enter into the car don't know how to play or what toys are and some of them don't know treats, and how to take them. Most of the time dogs are with me between 2 weeks - and a month before they get adopted. I try to train them at least a little bit before they get into the new home. I usually take dogs who are longest in the shelter and they look like not gonna make it out. So a lot of high-energy and big-breed dogs. I am a strict, loving, rule orientet, and confident trainer all of the dogs go out of my house like completely different dogs but I feel like I can do more with your training approach. I would appreciate any advice on what would be the most important to teach dogs in such a short time.
hi Susan I just joined Recallers….I have a 4 month old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel….very excited to get started…yes already behind and stressed but I will get there!🤦♀️ On the topic of todays Podcast I also have another dog who is 8 years old who has always barked at everything all the time….fire trucks, motorcycles, lawnmower, vacuum….and he even barks at me when I go to the kitchen (he can’t see me he hears me) when he is in my husbands TV room… i say it’s Mommy and he still barks! But the worst is we live on a small 6 acre farm….we have 1 neighbor separated by 6 foot fence and big trees but they just got a puppy within the past year and they have chosen to put a cow bell on his collar…anytime we are outside…if they bring their dog out we have to put our dog in the house because he will not stop barking at that sound!! We are not friends with these neighbors (long story) what do you suggest we do with our untrained unmotivated 8 year old that barks at every little thing….it drives me crazy. I should also say just watched Podcast on Spouses having different rules….made me laugh because when you described your late husband not following all the training you put in…you nailed it…that’s us. He humanizes the dogs and he doesn’t want to hurt their feelings etc…they have always listened to me. Anyone who comes near my husband he starts barking…he does not do that with me…but that cowbell ruins a lot of nice outdoor time we could have….thank you for sharing😊kim
Hi Kim, it's awesome you are in Recallers with us! 💚 We'll link a video for you with an overview of guard barking to help get started and you can post in Recallers because you are most certainly not alone in wanting to create a different scenario - kzhead.info/sun/aZaPXZeCqnqBqX0/bejne.html
My almost 3 y/o mixed breed has had periods of becoming stressed. The problem, I never know what will set her off. We’re out with her multiple times a day, at least one heavy play period with the ball. As an example, she loves the park, then one day, I can see in her body language she is having a stress response, tail and ears downs, pulling on her leash trying to get away from who knows what. She certainly doesn’t like abrupt noises, but there are times there hasn’t been a triggering noise. The vet suggested trazadone or daily Prozac, I don’t like the idea of medicating her daily when this is not a daily occurrence. She’s otherwise a very well trained dog, has perfect recall when off leash, loves other dogs. Suggestions?
Need ti listen again. Im oretty sure there's a deep dive thete that I need to take 😊🍪🍪🍪🍪🍪
I think the reaction from others in the ring is the same as in the park, “don’t trial your dog, don’t come to the park. “
Sometimes people are not only hard on themselves, but the people around them are too. People make mistakes. I am pretty good with humans, children and animals, but even I have made my fair share of mistakes. It happens. Everyone has different knowledge and education, then to add other factors that come into play. Situations are usually more complex than one makes it and comes with many layers. Luckily, I have learned what I understand about from animals through personal experience. I observe them and study them as I do with humans. Human and animal emotional psychological, and spiritual states intrigue me. They always have. I even do a great portion of studying and educating myself, too. We learn through knowledge and experience. This is the case with any situation. Even humans have difficulty being great parents, friends, or bosses, and can't even treat other humans properly and people expect to understand how to treat animals properly? People who are quick to criticise others and point the finger are usually those that aren't looking within because they are so busy pointing the finger at someone else. When one is constantly pointing out other people's faults, they don't understand that they themselves have faults and are most likely not aware of them or don't see the bigger picture. This is why I dont go around judging others because EVERYONE has faults. Not everyone is self aware. Then why should anyone listen to someone offering unsolicited advice? Why is it their place even to offer unsolicited advice? Society likes to worry about others more than themselves sometimes. Judgement and criticism is easy. I am more someone who doesn't like to judge and criticise, but teach through education and knowledge. I am glad that you speak about that. People either can bring you down with them or up with them. I personally would rather bring others up with me. See, even humans are flawed and they expect to understand animals easily?
How do i find out if our Buddy is affraid of other dogs or he just needs confidence building?
Any suggestions on how to train when your home is a van and you’re traveling to new places most of the time?
I've watched on KZhead and listened on podcast. It's really comprehensive and I will most likely listen to it again. I would love to hear more about the case of low arousal (I am not a dog but a bit like that myself now I think of it). It's not very good in terms of organic chemical (less dopamine and more noradrenaline) and also in some practical situations like doing dog sports. We tried rally and scent work, but the issue is the same. He gets too much information and freeze in a new environment. He is not like that when we go out to play. He gets like that when I ask him to perform. I wonder if I am giving him too much pressure.
Hi @yuminagaoka515 our playlist covering dog emotions might be a good starting place and you can look through the videos and pick the ones that you resonate with most to watch kzhead.info/channel/PLphRRSxcMHy29pv3_9b7DZdMFJL9ZJPMy.html
Thank You💕
@@DogsThat Thank you so much for the playlist. The videos are super helpful, and I feel that I am now back on the right track (My dog was on the right track all the time!)!!
Maybe start with nose work while you are on a walk. I throw kibble for him to find and there is no one around and no pressure just fun. I do it in our yard while i have coffee. We have graduated to finding food in boxes now. I hide smelly treats around house and patio as well.
@@annylaurie422 Thank you s much! That sounds like so much fun dor him, which is all we need right now.I will try that!
Would something like treat diving be considered a balance break? My pup struggles to get really engaged in a tug session if we're working on training with food. I'm working on getting him able to tug with food nearby but for now I would look at using food for balance breaks, does it achieve the same thing?
Ok! My 2+ year old female French bulldog is very anxious when we are walking and people and dogs she does not know she growls barks and try’s to bite them. My neighbors are saying she may need to be put down or stop walking her in my neighborhood . My Frenchie is the best and I love her very much❤️ what kind of medication can be used to help her cope?? I looked and most of these meds have awful side effects! Please help! I live in Bella Vista AR
How do I figure out what my dogs highest value is? My dog is timid and fearful of almost anything new. How do I get her to not bark at new things? She is growing more confident on walks and that has helped. I’m trying to desensitize her to dogs and animals even in the tv she will bark at them (while watching your videos). Tia for help.
Do you have a podcast that would show the specific steps to helping a dog be less anxious about fireworks and thunder? Also, anxiety about car rides? Barking at people? My dog seems to be getting triggered by things he wasn't triggered by before and I don't know what I'm doing wrong.
Hi Kristine! Here's help for fireworks: kzhead.info/sun/oayAqqd-eWh_aZE/bejne.html And a playlist for car rides: kzhead.info/sun/ibttgcWgsIGdaH0/bejne.html And an extra video on trigger stacking: kzhead.info/sun/idypYtaJemqMgJE/bejne.html Please let us know if you need anything else and if this is helpful. Happy training! 🐾
Big question about #10 on your list. How do you know if your dog could benefit from medication for being over-reactive? Is it a matter of trial and error through training or are there specific behavioral symptoms you can look for to determine if meds will help? I don’t like the idea treating behavioral issues with medication if those issues can be managed through training. I’m just not sure how to tell when it’s time to consider medication.
speak to your Vet.
My largest fear comes from 2009 when a beloved dog dug out and met fate on highway. I am so over protective.
Hugs and hearts @darnold5575 💙
I feel bad as my rescue terrier got angry with a puppy yesterday and I was annoyed with him! I know he’s more nervous than he lets on and when stood still while being sniffed he doesn’t always like it but he just goes rigid! The other owner wasn’t happy and I was embarrassed 😩 but all I keep thinking is my dog is just doing what he can with what he knows 😭 but I don’t know how to fix it
Hi @Mandyvoukanari, thank you for wanting to help him. Our playlist has a lot of information to help, so here's that link for you - kzhead.info/channel/PLphRRSxcMHy0Tbd6ZybIXgJk3mtpBLLk7.html
Susan, My husband and I both thoroughly enjoyed this episode such that we turn to each other simultaneously and said: “That was a good one.” Actually all the podcasts are good but this one struck a cord with both of us immediately. Sometimes we have to process what we learned. You asked in the video, so here is our request. Would you please consider an episode on creating each, calming and arousing triggers?
Have you found the higher a dogs intelligence level is the more likely they are to show anxiety?
I don’t know Susan I’ve had a few people at agility trials say why did you bring the dog here? Clearly you’re not ready and so on and so forth.
I love this. I once set out to walk my standard poodles and my 7 y.o. was holding the 3 y.o. poodle leash in the driveway as we were preparing and a woman walking her gsd was just passing our driveway... took the young dog by surprise (she is a bit crazy at times.. my son was instructed long ago to never hold a dogs leash if he's going to be pulled down and dragged, so as the dog started pulliny and reacting, he let go) My dog ran at the gsd barking like a lunatic... and this woman defended her dog by viciously kicking my dog (who, btw, might have deserved that but not ONCE did she turn and bite the woman, or bite the other dog or escalate in any way despite being kicked.. but the kicking didn't stop her from wanting to get access to the gsd) and the woman yelled at me to "TRAIN YOUR F#$KING DOG!!!" I have never felt like a bigger POS and I have had very low confidence since then. I needed to hear this.
I know how you feel, I’ve been in your position before. You’re not a POS. You made a mistake by handing a leash over to your 7 year-old. Sh#t happens. Fortunately, no one got seriously injured. Honestly, I think the woman who yelled and kicked your dog is the POS. I’ve seen my fair share of people who freaked out, because a friendly dog suddenly ran up to them. Since we can’t control how other people or animals may react, our best bet is prevention. Every time a situation like you experienced happens to me, I take time to think about how I could have prevented it. I do my best to learn from my mistakes. One time my friend was visiting with his dog. He was getting ready to leave, and we were outside in the front yard talking. Both of our dogs were chilling with us. We heard a fire truck in the distance. Knowing that both of our dogs are reactive to loud trucks and would start barking like crazy we purposely ignored it, so they would stay calm. My friend had just taken off Joey’s leash to get into the car. A few seconds later the truck turned the corner onto my street and picked up speed, and my friend’s dog did the unthinkable. In a split second he bolted after that truck. He was about a foot away from being run over by the massive rear tire. I have never been so scared in my life. I literally thought I was on the verge of a heart attack. My friend and I knew that we screwed up big time, and it was just sheer luck that Joey wasn’t hurt. We would have been devastated if we had lost Joe that night. We learned a valuable lesson. Since that incident, I make a point to be hyper aware of the environment when I’m outside with the dogs. Safety is my number one priority. So now I take measures to prepare for unexpected situations. (Leashes come off after we’re safely in the car.) I’ve found myself applying that “child proofing the house” mentality with the dogs just like I did when my kids were little. I remind myself that accidents usually happen in the few seconds or minutes when we’re expecting it the least, especially when we’re focused on the task at hand. I find having that awareness is extremely helpful. You’re not a POS, you’re human. I think being proactive will help you get that confidence back.