With Ellen Naumann CPDT-KA/CBATI Reducing Reactivity With Ellen Naumann CPDT-KA/CBATI

Professional Assistance for Reactivity Reducing Reactivity always takes into consideration a visit with Your veterinarian A holistic veterinarian  One of LA’s three Veterinarian Behaviorists Dr. Sueda, Dr. Cho or Dr. Rachel

PLEASE BE ADVISED… Behavior is never a guarantee. Dogs are not robots. Reactivity is part of an animal’s natural repertoire. There’s no evidence to suggest that an animal exists without some form of reactivity. This is advanced material for advanced behavior. Our goal is to provide you with greater understanding and skill sets on how to Reduce Reactivity.

What You Will Learn ABC’s of Behavior Canine body language, specifically identifying precursors to reactivity How to set up the environment to set up for success How to empower your dog and to provide them with greater controllability and predictability The choices in how to help Reduce Reactivity. There are a few, but we will focus on two: BAT Classical Counter-Conditioning

What is Reactivity? Animals who respond to normal stimuli with an abnormal (higher-then-normal) level of intensity – Dr. Karen Overall

Learning Your ABC’s Antecedent – Behavior – Consequence So where do we start? Learning Your ABC’s Antecedent – Behavior – Consequence

ABC of Behavior : “A” is for Antecedent Antecedent– What takes place before the behavior? Health (senior health, thyroid, sore joints, poor nutrition) Arousal Level (over stimulated, exhausted, trigger stacking) Cues from us (leash goes tight) or the environment (dog appears) Change the Antecedent and you will begin to Reduce Reactivity

ABC of Behavior: “B” is for Behavior Behavior – The behavior itself What is your dog’s Reactive Behavior?

ABC of Behavior: “C” is for Consequence Consequence – The RESULT of the behavior What Happens as a result of that behavior? Did the leash get tight or loose? Were they forced to stay put? Did the scary dog move away? Did your dog move away? Did they avoid conflict? Did food or a high value reinforcer appear? What happened? Will the consequence likely make that behavior appear again? Did it work for the dog?

A – B - C Antecedent: Walk past dogs barking behind a fence. Behavior : Bark back, lunge, move faster Consequence: Kept those dogs away / Kept us safe! A: Dog approaches on sidewalk B: Make leash shorter, tighter C: Kept dog close to me so he didn’t get away! Can you think of the ABCs for your dog?

Remember… Every time you and your dog get a chance to practice behavior that’s reinforced, you’ll get better at it. “Good” or “bad” – behavior will get stronger. Set yourselves up for success and learn your ABCs!

(A) Antecedent Arrangements The Antecedent: Context & Environment Where? + When? = Why? Changing the Antecedent(s) is the first step towards changing behavior. ”Antecedent Arrangement” = Setting up for success!

The Environment Matters Set Your Dog Up For Success by Setting Up The Environmental Antecedents Open – Wide – Entrance - Exits Rich in smells (natural and added) – texture – visually diverse Reduce risk of potential triggers - obstacles – big elevation changes

***BEHAVIOR IS FLUID*** (B) Behavior Set Your Dog Up for Success By Learning Their Body Language Identifying the signs of calm and relaxed, even happy! Identifying the signs of uncertainty, stress, anxiety Identifying Warning Signals to Back-Off ***BEHAVIOR IS FLUID*** It’s like a casserole dish; not one behavior = the complete picture Look at all behaviors, in context

Read the Dog Zoom Room Guide to Dog Body Language https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=00_9JPltXHI Dog Sense https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i33WRZaRwaA

Precursors to Reactivity (uncertainty, fear, stress, anxiety) Mouth – moves from open to closed, tongue flick, yawn, panting, tight, won’t eat food (or take a toy) Nose – suddenly sniffing, sneezing Eyes – wide, white, pupils dilated, averted, furrowed brow Ears – tall, forward and tall, pulled back, flattened, Head – lowered, sideways turned away (avoidance), pulled back, taller

Precursors to Reactivity (uncertainty, fear, stress, anxiety) Body carriage – backing up, curved to get smaller, linear, taller, Legs – paw raised, stiff, wide, up on their toes, taller Tail – moves out of normal position: lower, straighter, slower OR higher, tighter, faster

Precursors to Reactivity (uncertainty, fear, stress, anxiety) Body Movement - Stops moving, moves faster or slower, climbing up, scratching, self-grooming, penis crowning, genital check Vocalization – high-pitched whine, whimper, chuff, bark Other – piloerection (hackles), sudden urination, scratch marking after urination, abnormal marking

(B) BUILDING BETTER BEHAVIOR Controllability and Predictability Key to Building Behavior One aspect of controllability is predictability that comes from knowing that one is safe due to one’s own behavior. – Grisha Stewart BAT Reducing Reactivity through BAT (Behavior Adjustment Training) Human Behavior B) Dog Behavior - Following the Dog - Head Turns - Loose Lead - Calmly moving in any direction - Soft Prompts - Smelling

(C) CONSEQUENCES of the behavior What are the Consequences to those Behaviors ? C) Dog and You feel safe and comfortable; avoid conflict The more this new “good” behavior is reinforced, the stronger it will get; the more comfortable the dog will feel. The less they’ll need to use reactivity.

BAT BASICS Set-Up Area with selected Helper Dog (Fake Dog) Large, open, rich in smells, visually diverse, entrance, exit Objects placed or food sprinkled Ability to communicate to each other (phone, walkie-talkie) Proper Equipment Back-clip Harness, Long Lead, Treat Bag (just in case) Leash Skills

Proper Equipment: Harness & Leash Back-Clip Harness Freedom Harness Balance Harness Long Lead 15’ BAT Leash Soft Lead Treat Bag Smelly Treats Poop Bag

Leash Skills HANDLE SOFT PROMPTS FOLLOW THE DOG SLIDE FLOPPY EARS MIME PULLING BRAKING DISTANCE GATHERING LENGTHENING SLOW STOP

BAT SET-UPS Selected Set-Up Area Proper Equipment Helper Dog w/ Handler Student Dog w/ Handler Distance Be Prepared: Food, Exit

Mark & Move Close Encounters, Tight Spaces, Sudden Environmental Change Mark (Yes! Click) Move 10 feet or more Bonus Reward (Food, Toy, Praise)

Universal Truths… Animals are constantly selecting and deselecting behavior based on consequences. – Dr. Susan Friedman Success is reinforcing!