If you’re in a situation where you have an aggressive dog that constantly gets on with other dogs, or humans, you’ve probably been told or kicked out of traditional group dog training sessions. Hopefully, someday you’ll be able to overcome your dog’s natural aggression and get him or her trained into a healthy social grouping with other dogs. Luckily, there is a whole new breed arising called reactive dog training that focuses on training aggressive dogs in a social group setting.
You might think these types of dog training courses are going to be expensive and difficult to find. On the contrary, there are now many sources of information about this type of dog training. You can find online articles, get short tips from dog training professionals, read books about how to set up a long line, and attend obedience schools. Some of these methods can be used for a long line of reactive dogs.
One way to train aggressive dogs effectively is by first having them use the red zone. Have a small treat in your hand, which your dog can then reach while staying within the red zone. When he reaches the treat, immediately say “Red Zone!” Have your dog lie down and stay still. Have another dog walk by and repeat this process. Your dog will learn when it’s in the red zone and will eventually work out that crossing the line triggers the snap reaction that triggers the treats.
The red zone is the classic test of whether or not your canine is a responsive, compliant dog. It is the one and only cue that will let you know that your dog is doing something right or wrong. When your dog is responding correctly, give treats and praise. Be sure to do the trick repeatedly. You can also try to train your dog to learn other obedience commands. If you don’t want to commit to spending a lot of time training him, you can get a toy, like a Kong, and start using the command commands while your dog is learning tricks.
If your dog does not respond well to a simple command, start by walking along a long line and letting your dog follow, then walking the line with him and not following. This will keep him on the leash. Be sure to always be ahead of him on the leash. If you are constantly ahead of him and he gets distracted, he may trigger his negative behavior.
For more advanced tricks, you may want to try treats with your dog. Treats with treats make for a much more fun and enjoyable experience than treating with no treats. A great trick dog training tip is to distract your dog with a funny sound, then say the command and do the trick. This will teach him that the sound is a treat and he should respond with the trick.
Some dogs react badly to simple training methods. If your dog has a very high stress level, it may be hard to get him to respond to training. If this is the case, make sure you have a way to lower his stress level. You can buy dog toys for him that are colorful and that make him feel positive reinforcement. This will help reduce his reactivity.
Dog training can be a challenge. It’s important to consider the type of dog you have and the kind of training you want to give it. Also, make sure you are prepared to deal with any misbehavior. Remember that patience and persistence can go a long way in keeping your dog active and healthy. The reward for your efforts, however, will be a well behaved dog who is a pleasure to live with.
