Reactive Dog Training – Difficult Dog (Reactive Rehab!) Class
What is a “reactive” dog? Generally, when we talk about “reactive” dogs we are talking about dogs who exhibit any of the following behaviors when encountering “triggers” (these can be dogs, people, squirrels, bikes, skateboards…) on leashed walks: lunging, barking, pulling, whining, and the inability to focus or relax. Many dogs exhibiting these behaviors on-leash are fine with others when off-leash (or at least have a doggie friend or two). Dogs may be showing these behaviors out of fear (“don’t let that dog/person get any closer to me!”) or frustration (“I really, really, really want to go say HIIIIII!). If your dog cannot calm down, focus and connect with you, they will not be able to learn.
Reactive dog training focuses on teaching your dog to relax and get into an operant or “learning frame of mind” in the presence of other dogs (or whatever stimulus they are reacting to). We also teach your dog to look to you for cues on how they should react when other dogs are present.
For an idea of what we cover in this type of training READ THIS.
DIFFICULT DOG (Reactive Rehab): 6-week class aimed at reactive dogs that bark, lunge, snap etc. towards other dogs and/or people on leash.
Class structure:
- Before: The owner will be sent a behavioral questionnaire to be returned before the start of class. Week one of the 6 week class is a human-only orientation. This week we will discuss: appropriate equipment, counterconditioning conditioning/desensitization, foundation skills needed for the start of class (Look, Touch and an “emergency” scatter feed cue, Find It) as well as how to use a clicker or verbal marker. This week is mandatory to continue in the 6 week course.
- During: We will introduce and implement several different types of training in this class. We start each week of class with approximately 30 minutes of human-only lecture and discussion. Your dog should be left in your car for this period if possible. If your dog is not safe or comfortable in the car please let us know at your pre-class meeting and we will find a space inside for your dog to stay during lecture away from other dogs.
- After: After completion, a (formerly) reactive dog should then be able to enter The Basics. If your dog needs more practice time/set-ups all Difficult Dog graduates are also eligible to sign up for the “Difficult Dog Drop-Ins”. These sessions are for DD graduates only for continuing work with other dogs/people in a space with controlled distractions.
This class is limited to 5 dogs. Class instructor is Danette Johnston, CPDT-KA.
REACTIVE REHAB SEMINAR: 2 hours, human only.
Does your dog bark, lunge, pull towards other dogs, people, bikes etc. when on leash? What causes reactivity and is it the same as aggression? Whether your dog is reactive because he is anxious, fearful or because of frustration (“I REALLY want to say hit to that dog!!”) and a lack of impulse control, in this 2 hour, human-only session we will cover techniques to use with your reactive dog. We will discuss appropriate equipment, leash techniques, focus cues, counter conditioning and desensitization, emergency exit “tricks” as well as how to facilitate meeting other dogs and appropriate play.
“I don’t know if my dog needs Difficult Dog or The Basics?” A good way to evaluate which class your dog needs is to take him out on a walk carrying high value treats (chicken, hot dog, cheese) and see if you can get his attention when you pass your dog’s triggers (another dog, people etc.) with the help of the treats. If you can easily redirect him to you with the treats in hand when you come across his triggers, you likely can go straight into The Basics. If it is difficult to get his focus back on you even with the help of the yummy goods, then Difficult Dog would be the appropriate class.
How do I sign up? Click the link on the right side of this page for the class you are interested in. If you have any questions, please contact us by phone at 206-706-4875 or email Danette directly at danette@dogsdayoutseattle.com.
If the class is FULL or if you would like more 1-on-1 help and (or the class schedule does not work for you) you may want to schedule a private lesson.
Hey I’ve been looking at your reactive dog classes and was wondering if I could my dog enrolled. I have a one year old Aussie named Titu and I live in Federal Way, WA. He fear barks at stranger people or dogs. When he gets to know the person or the dog though he very loving and he is a very sweet boy. He has never been aggressive, but we would like to condition him to not bark at people or dogs. I would love to do agility, fly ball or Frisbee with him but I feel like he needs to get over this fear before he would truly enjoy them. He knows a lot of tricks and has gone through a lot of basic training.
Britney
Hi Britney,
It does sound as if Difficult Dog would be the right class for Titu. The September class in Georgetown is already full but there is space in the class beginning in January. To register, just go to the Difficult Dog page and click on the class offering on the right side of the page. If you would like help before then, we could always schedule a private lesson to get you started on some techniques to begin using immediately. If you have any questions or would like to schedule a lesson, feel free to email me directly danette@dogsdayoutseattle.com
-Danette
Hello, we rescued our dog, Buddy, in December and have been trying our best to train him since. He is very reactive to other dogs and due to his size (german shepherd/pitbull mix?), he can be quite scary. He is truly a lover and a completely different dog inside the house.is previous owner was a mentally handicapped patient who needed a companion in the hospital, so he’s a people person. We do believe that the owner before him kept him as a guard dog. The second he goes out, he is anxious and very reactive towards all dogs and people (even cars). We currently have him on anxiety meds and have been doing our best to train him. We have had a personal trainer session, but she was too expensive for her worth. Do you think this the right program for Buddy?
Hi Graham,
Yes, it does sound as if the Difficult Dog class would be the appropriate class for Buddy. The next available 5-week classes (in both Ballard and Georgetown) are in August. There is also a human-only Difficult Dog Seminar on June 25th in Ballard.
Fell free to email me directly danette@dogsdayoutseattle.com with any questions.
Thanks,
Danette Johnston
Hi there,
We have a 4 year old rescue and he’s largely fine with other dogs. Randomly he’ll snap at a dog if he’s uncomfortable I guess or if he has a ball or is on the couch and another dog is near, he gets very growly and protective. He doesnt bark or lunge at dogs we walk past and is normally fine at the dog park or with dogs who are walking and barking at him, he walks away and ignores them. I’m wondering if he should go to the basics class or if he’s enough of a fit for difficult dog class? Thanks! Also- if you have any openings for the next difficult dog class open up last minute, is there a way to get on a waitlist? If not, we will wait until the next tuesday evening class thats available starting in August. Thanks! Erin, Chris, and Charlie
Hello!
It actually sounds as if Charlie would be OK to go directly into The Basics. The best way to gauge is to go out on a walk, bring some high value treats (real chicken, cheese, hot dogs…) and see if you are able to redirect his attention to you when there are other dogs around. If you are able to do so pretty easily, he would go right into the Basics. Please feel free to email me directly (danette2dogsdayoutseattle.com) with any questions.
Thanks!
We are interested in this class. Is it too late to sign up for this round? We can make the human class this Saturday.
Thank you for your time,
Deena Soto
Hi Deena,
The Saturday group class is already full however I am teaching the Difficult Dog Seminar this Saturday for humans only which could get you started on some techniques to begin using immediately! See the Difficult Dog class page for registration links. The next group Difficult Dog class with space available starts June 3rd. I will send you a direct email with more information!
Thanks!
Hi,
We have an almost 2 year old, intact male, german shepherd. We are planning on getting him neutered asap. Within the past few months he has gotten dog aggressive. Never biting or showing teeth, but lots of lunging and pulling on-leash, and growling with fur raised. He has recently jumped the fence in the backyard and lunged at other dogs while he is off leash as well, so it doesn’t seem to be leash aggression. He has always been the sweetest boy and had played so well with other dogs, we are just wondering what our next steps should be, assuming neutering him won’t magically fix this behavior issue.
Hi Rachel,
Unfortunately, I do not think neutering will magically fix this behavior but it does sound as if the Difficult Dog class may be appropriate. If you would like help sooner, you could schedule a private lesson. We offer those on-site at DDO in Ballard or in-home (limited areas). To schedule a lesson, please email directly: Danette@dogsdayoutseattle.com
Thanks!
Hello, We’re very interested in taking this class! We have an 11 month mini dachshund who was neutered at 6 months, and within the past 2-3 months we’ve noticed his behavior change, feeling aggressive. We walk him almost daily, and notice he lunges, barks, etc. at other dogs/people/bikes sometimes cars (even if they are across the street). Also, when we have visitors or he is at a home where he is very comfortable, when new people come over he gets very barky and tries to nip. Do you think the “Difficult Dog” series would help with his behavior? Particularly how he reacts when strangers come over? Thank you!
Hello,
Yes, it sounds as if the Difficult Dog class would be appropriate for your guy. While we can not recreate the scenario at home with visitors, many of the techniques we use in this class for the leash reactivity do transfer to the behaviorist home. If you would like help before the next series starts, you may want to attend the Difficult Dog Seminar next week. We will cover techniques you can use for inside and out in that class. If you would like specific help in your home, I would recommend scheduling an in-home private lesson. Feel free to email me directly with any further questions! danette@dogsdayoutseattle.com
Thanks!
Hello,
Our almost 3 year old English Mastiff has always been a perfect gentleman at the dog park and when guests come to our home. However, he’s recently become both leash and barrier reactive and he’s a BIG boy; over 200 lbs. We want to nip this in the bud ASAP. I see that the upcoming Difficult Dog classes are full, however, I’m wondering if we might still be able to attend one of the seminars? We’d like to begin working with him ASAP but need to make sure we’re doing so appropriately.
Thanks,
Kelli
Hi Kelli,
Yes, you can absolutely attend the seminar!
I have a 2 year old female corgi. She is very sweet towards people but completely unpredictable and aggressive with other dogs. This behavior has gotten increasingly worse. She has to be seperated from our other dogs because she has attacked them and drawn blood more then once. She will even attempt to attack them through her safety gate Do you believe the difficult dog classes is enough to try and change this behavior. We love her, and want to do everything we can to fix this.
Hi Raya, Since this is more than just leash reactivity, I would recommend doing a private lesson first so that we can take a full behavioral history, evaluate her and then come up with an appropriate training plan. To schedule a lesson please email: Danette@dogsdayoutseattle.com
Thanks!
Hi!
I have a 6 year old female husky who has recently (since we moved to an apartment) began being aggressive to other dogs while on leash. She barks, lunges, and occasionally nips at the other dogs. She is a super sweet dog and always does great when other dogs come over. She is 80 pounds and really pulls me around on leash even when I try to keep her right beside me
I am so sad because she has not always been like this. Would this class work for us?
Yes, the Difficult Dog class does sound like the appropriate class for your dog.
Difficult Dog Fall Online Registration (NEW!)
6733 15th Ave NW
Seattle, WA 98117
(206) 706-4875