Framework for Treating Leash Reactivity

5/8/23 UPDATE: I’ve decided to change client compliance to “client cooperation.” Not only does that sound less abrasive, but it exemplifies what I seek out to do when working with clients AND their dogs. Cooperation, rather than expecting compliance. My commitment to treating people like I do dogs is a value I hold close, and language matters here. 

My framework for treating leash reactivity does not lie solely in the best “method” for addressing the behavior, but rather a comprehensive approach for both ends of the leash. While every leash reactivity case is unique, there are always a core set of components that I use with every single client. Depending on the client, some components will play a larger part than others. However if one or more component is missing, the chances of a successful outcome are reduced, and/or the dog simply won’t reach their maximal potential. When all of these components come together, there is the greatest chance of success for both dog and client.

Component: A Thorough Assessment

I spend a significant amount of time gathering as much information about the client and their dog as possible, via a behavior questionnaire, a phone call, and an in person (or virtual) consultation.  My in-person assessments are quite thorough, far more detailed than I can describe in this paragraph, but in a nutshell my assessment takes in the following information:

 A thorough understanding of the dog’s overall history, details of the problematic behaviors they are displaying, their medical history, their typical day (exercise, sleep, mental stimulation), relationship dynamics in the home, their environment, their current skill set, their ability (or lack of) to cope with stressors, and how they respond to learning new behavior(s). I also assess the dog on their typical walk or outing, to better understand the body language they use in public, and what they do when they see another dog. The assessment also includes a well-rounded conversation with the owner, to understand how they feel about their reactive dog and discussing what options they have for treating the behavior moving forward.

This conversation includes a discussion on the amount of time and resources they have to work with their dog, and I help them understand the differences between training services and what they would be signing up for. For example, a client with no free time and who is overwhelmed by their dog’s behavior may not be the best fit for private lessons – they would probably benefit from a Home School or Board and Train program. Or, a client whose dog has zero training skills and is reactive from over 50ft away would not do well in a Reactive Rover class – they would do better learning those skills via private training first. My recommendations for ongoing training are always based off of the information I gather during the consultation, and this is a non -negotiable piece of my framework.  

Component: Realistic Goal Setting

Realistic goal setting takes into account everything you’ve learned via a thorough assessment of the dog, an understanding of the client’s resources including time and finances, and overall expectations. It also sets the pathway for your training and behavior plan.

For example, if a client has a dog with minimal training skills, and is reactive towards dogs from 1 block away, perhaps a realistic goal would be to get the dog to walk past another dog from the other side of the street. A narrow hiking trail is probably not realistic. Is a hiking trail ever doable? Possibly, with enough time, commitment and a systematic approach. But not likely realistic for the average client within a typical training program.

If a client has a dog who had a traumatic experience after being attacked by an off-leash dog, it may be possible that their dog will never be comfortable meeting other dogs like they had in the past, especially on leash. This isn’t to say that their dog can’t make substantial improvements, but it may mean that their dog is forever changed after experiencing a traumatic event. With this, there needs to be a degree of acceptance of who their dog is NOW versus who they used to be. It is also likely that their dog would need more time to rebuild their sense of safety and confidence, and will not be magically cured after a 4 week board and train.

When we can outline what it will take for a client to reach a specific goal, it helps them understand everything that is involved, and help them see the bigger picture. This in turn can help them understand why the specific goals you agreed upon for their program are both realistic and doable for their situation.

 Component: Prevention and Management

 We all know that prevention and management are essential pieces to decreasing the likelihood that the dog will rehearse unwanted behaviors. With reactivity cases, prevention and management strategies often require more effort on the owner’s part. Things such as walking their dog at quieter times of day, driving their dog to quieter locations for exercise, or preventing reactivity in other contexts such as from the car or from the front window of their home can take more time and resources than a client may have. Determining what types of prevention and management strategies are realistic for an individual client is important, as the likelihood of them continuing to follow through with them is a critical part of the overall process. I typically discuss these strategies during the initial consultation, find strategies that the client can get on board with, and then check in with the owner periodically about how they are going and if anything needs to be adjusted.

Component: Behavioral Wellness

Behavioral wellness aims to create a balance in a dog’s life across all aspects of their health (mental, physical and emotional). My approach to behavioral wellness includes the following: ensuring adequate & restful sleep, feeding the best diet you can afford, exercise that prioritizes time on a long line or being off leash, mental stimulation specific to the individual needs of the dog, and addressing any medical issues. When you have all of these pieces in place, you have a dog that is healthy and fulfilled. On the flip side, a dog will often exhibit behavioral problems when these needs are not met. The number of dogs whose behavior has improved with these strategies alone is astonishing… and this was with minimal training! Behavioral wellness should be a non-negotiable part of any behavior change plan, and implemented from the very beginning so that these changes have time to coincide with training.

Component: Individualized Training & Behavior Plan

 A large Mastiff who is vigilant about his environment and territorial over his immediate home area is going to require a different approach than a Mini Goldendoodle who is hyper social and screams at the end of her leash because she can’t access the neighbor dogs on walks. Using the same training recipe is a disservice to the individual dog, their capabilities, and what drives their behavior. It will likely inhibit how they respond, and lead to less-than-ideal outcomes.

Observe the individual dog, determine what motivates them, take into account their current behavior and skill set, and design a custom training and behavior plan that best suit their needs.

This also goes for the human end of the leash – the plan needs to be doable for them too! Individualized training plans take into account both human and dog.

 Component: Foundation Behaviors

Foundation behaviors either complement the behavior modification process, or are an essential stepping stone to prepare the dog for their training and behavior program. The type of foundation behaviors will always vary depending on the dog, and these are taught either before behavior modification takes place, or in conjunction with it. Examples might be polite leash walking, staying in place, coming away from a distraction on cue, offered eye contact, relaxation protocols, pattern games, etc. Foundation behaviors should also include a clear reinforcement system such as reward markers, verbal cues that start and end training, etc.

For the client, foundation behaviors include teaching leash handling skills, observational skills, and safety skills. Without having these items in place, the behavior modification process will likely become messy because both dog and client do not have the skills they need. Investing time in building foundation skills long before you attempt to put a client and their dog in a challenging, real-life scenario is one of the best ways to maximize their potential.  

Component: Client Cooperation and Clear Communication

 Let’s face it, modifying a reactive dog’s behavior is hard work. It requires a lot of commitment from the client, when all they want to do is just go for a nice walk with their dog and not have to “worry” about stuff. In reality, there will always be a degree of management and reinforcement of desired behaviors that will need to continue. When a client has a thorough understanding of what they need to do and why, and they are motivated to stick with it because they see the bigger picture, cooperation isn’t typically an issue. Especially if what is required of them was agreed upon, AND they are receiving some reinforcement for their effort. Reinforcement can come in many forms – seeing their dog’s behavior improve, or getting positive feedback from you about their hard work are a few. And because there are so many moving pieces in leash reactivity cases, clear communication is essential here.

I know we are in the digital age of communication, but text and email are NOT the most effective way to communicate, especially in regards to client cooperation (as in you are asking the client to change their behavior). In person or over the phone is ideal, to best understand the nuances of the conversation, and gain clarity. And it should also be an ongoing conversation, complete with check ins to see how the training program is working for both the client and the dog. I like checking in with my clients at the beginning of each of our sessions, asking for feedback on what’s going well, and what isn’t going well.

When you catch a challenge early, it can be remedied quickly, and allow for everyone to get back on track. Whereas, if a client feels like they don’t have options and/or something isn’t working for them, their cooperation typically goes down. And if they don’t feel like they have an opportunity to communicate that to you, that’s where things really go downhill.

 Component: Systematic Application of Trained Behaviors

Treating leash reactivity is not as simple as teaching an incompatible behavior and reinforcing it. If it were that simple, everyone could do it and people wouldn’t need behavior professionals. Many of our clients don’t have issues with getting their dog to respond to training in their living room, it’s the highly distracting + triggering environments that create a level of complexity that leaves the average dog owner to throw up their hands in defeat.

What most people need our help with, is the systematic application of trained behaviors and the process of behavior modification. It requires a great deal of problem solving to know when to switch gears and when to lower or raise criteria. It requires a sharp eye for body language and the ability to read a dog, determine thresholds, and ensure the dog is learning and having a positive experience. It requires a skilled teacher to communicate these concepts to their client, so that they can eventually replicate them on their own.

Building solid foundation behaviors, in combination with behavior modification strategies, and then systematically applying them towards real life scenarios is the key for lasting behavior change. Guiding owners through this process, while providing a safe learning environment that they can succeed in, gives them the confidence to eventually do it on their own. My goal for every reactive dog client? An owner who feels like they have the knowledge and tools to take their reactive dog out in public and navigate the various scenarios they come across with confidence.