learned dog - class 12 reactive dogs. what is a reactive dog cb’s definition any dog that reacts...
TRANSCRIPT
Learned Dog - Class 12
Reactive Dogs
Reactive Dogs
What is a Reactive Dog
CB’s Definition
Any dog that reacts in a fearfully defensive or aggressive manner when faced with certain triggers
Trigger examples
dogs, strangers, situations
Reactive Dogs
What is a Reactive Dog
Fearfully defensive or aggressive manner:
whining, barking, growling, lunging/ retreating
Most appear based in fear
however not always obvious
fear can have many faces, somewhat breed typical
Reactive Dogs
What is a Reactive Dog
Breed typical examples
Terriers: When fearful often looks confidently aggressive to some
GSD’s often start with big conflict behavior: forward and back, then some lose the back and are more forward with learning
Pits often start off ok and with arousal
go over the top to reactivity & aggression
Reactive Dogs
What is a Reactive Dog
Breed typical examples
Each dog is an individual however and there is no set pattern
Learn each dog’s triggers and first precursor behavior to reactivity
Observe to see 1st clue, subtle movement, alertness, stillness, facial expression
Reactive Dogs
What to do for a Reactive Dog
The general procedures I follow
First a consult with a behavior consultant
Implement a plan often working in a group class with other reactive dogs
Implement a plan at home & in public
Reactive Dogs
What to do for a Reactive Dog
The Consult
Usually 2 hours
As many family members as possible
Take a very detailed history
Come up with a plan of action
If time begin practicing the plan
Send home with either appropriate handouts or notes and/or follow up
with a written report
Reactive Dogs
What to do for a Reactive Dog
The Consult
As many family members as possible
Often will get a different perspective
from different individuals
Different relationships with the dog
Kids have great info - listen to them!
Reactive Dogs
What to do for a Reactive Dog
The Consult
Take a very detailed history
Consultants: find your own style and form that best suits you
Get family data
ages, other pets, changes
Medical history, vaccine history, allergies
Diet, daily routines, exercise
Problems, ask specific questions
Problems, let them just describe
Reactive Dogs
What to do for a Reactive Dog
The Consult
Come up with a plan of action
Don’t try to fix too much too fast
Rule out physical problems
example: Thyroid, Allergies, Lyme
Find what is most bothersome for owners
may vary among family members
Techniques often work for multiple issue
Reactive Dogs
What to do for a Reactive Dog
The Consult
General program for success
Management
Counter condition
Teach incompatible behaviors
If time begin practicing the plan
Send home with either appropriate handouts or notes and/or follow up with
a written report
Schedule or discuss follow-ups or class
Reactive Dogs
What to do for a Reactive Dog
The Consult – Program in detail
Management: includes anything to prevent the dog from practicing unwanted behaviors
Confinement: crate, pen, yard, leash
Equipment: head collars, harness’s
Prevent barking at windows, doors, fence
Possible drugs such as Prozac
Avoid putting others in danger or perceived danger
Some may be temporary and some permanent
Reactive Dogs
What to do for a Reactive Dog
The Consult – Program in detail
Counter – condition
Classical or Pavlovian Conditioning
Pair a pleasant unconditioned stimulus (US) such as high quality food
with the already unpleasant conditioned stimulus (CS) or the trigger, ex: a dog
Begin at a distance that will create a mild reaction
Dog must perceive the trigger first
Food follows immediately
Reactive Dogs
What to do for a Reactive Dog
The Consult – Program in detail
Counter – condition
Drop food on ground (Seeking) if dog will not take from hand, say nothing
The trigger will begin to predict food instead of fear
Dog generally begins to focus on the food source (handler) when emotion is
reduced
You are not rewarding the barking or other reactive behaviors, you are reducing the
emotion via CC
Reactive Dogs
What to do for a Reactive Dog
The Consult – Program in detail
Switch to an operant mode and reinforce for any incompatible behaviors once the
emotion decreases
Incompatible behaviors
Teach before a counter-conditioning session with +R
Behaviors: Attention on handler, sit, down, stay, tricks, walk on leash use any
behavior the dog knows and ideally likes
Move closer to trigger, repeat process begin w/CC
Reactive Dogs
What to do for a Reactive Dog
The Consult – Program in detail
General tips
Suggest exercise more at home if walks have multiple triggers
Too much constant arousal will increase hormonal levels which will increase
reactivity
Dogs need down time be sure home is as quiet a place as possible
Balanced diet, HIGH value treats
Reactive Dogs
What to do for a Reactive Dog
The Consult – Program in detail
General tips
Manage carefully
Liability?
Does the dog avoid or attack?
Generally not a candidate for competition
Be considerate
Train to use brain energy - shaping
Reactive class for controlled exposure
Reactive Dogs
What to do for a Reactive Dog
The Consult – Program in detail
General tips
Controlled exposures: vet offices, fenced or tied dogs that are not bothered by
your presence, special classes, private lesson
Loose dog issues: teach a turn and escape cue so dog is accustomed to
quick about turns, toss cookies over shoulder to loose dog, carry direct stop citronella
spray for emergency’s
Remain calm or increase dog’s anxiety
Reactive Dogs
What to do for a Reactive Dog
Classes for Reactive Dogs
Small classes
High student / staff ratio
2 or 3 to 1 for a 1st or 2nd level
4 or 5 to 1 for an upper level of known dogs
I require consult first
Evaluate dog and owners
Set up overall individualized plan
Reactive Dogs
What to do for a Reactive Dog
Classes for Reactive Dogs
Set up
Gates & sheets to create visual barriers
Create stations for each team
Reactive Dogs
What to do for a Reactive Dog
Classes for Reactive Dogs
Set up
Solid tethers for each dog
Reactive Dogs
What to do for a Reactive DogClasses for Reactive Dogs
Set upEnough space for each dog’s comfortBring them in one at a time so no
crowding occursHave them leave one at a time
Check to so if safe outsideVary each dogs station weeklyEach dog on 2 types of collars
Head collar, harness, martingaleExtremely high value rewards
Reactive Dogs
What to do for a Reactive Dog
Classes for Reactive Dogs
The exercises
Remind owners to breath as needed Begin CC immediately: NO click/marker
Massage for some dogs
Move from CC to OC as each dog is able
Use easy fun known behaviors for OC
Clicker train – breaks through better than a word marker
Reactive Dogs
What to do for a Reactive Dog
Classes for Reactive Dogs
The exercises
Teach easy behaviors
All R+
Down on a mat, pre taught ideally
Begin with stationary behaviors
Moving around in station
Moving from station to station
Reactive Dogs
What to do for a Reactive Dog
Classes for Reactive Dogs
The exercises
Moving in lines with gates/sheets and or space
Moving with less visual
Moving with no gates
Stationary behaviors: sit, down, hand touch, stay, bow, other tricks, muzzle prep
Reactive Dogs
What to do for a Reactive Dog
Classes for Reactive Dogs
The exercises
Moving exercises: All on leash; 180 about turn escape, walking on leash on both
sides of handler, sit & down in motion, come, wait
Reactive Dogs
What to do for a Reactive Dog
Classes for Reactive Dogs
The exercises
Special cases: Negative punishment Dog tethered
Handler ready to walk away when reactivity begins
Handler returns when dog stops reacting and orients on the
handler or remains otherwise calm
Give an operant cue and reward
Reactive Dogs
What to do for a Reactive Dog
Classes for Reactive Dogs
The exercises
Special cases: Negative punishment
Maintain dog’s focus with OC
Possible fallout: dog does not care handler has left, this does not improve an already poor
relationship
I only use this with tough cases that are slow to make progress with CC
& OC
Reactive Dogs
What to do for a Reactive Dog
Classes for Reactive Dogs
Video:
Muzzle shaping
Negative punishment
Wait
Reactive Dogs
What to do for a Reactive Dog
Classes for Reactive Dogs
Considerations
The goal is a boringly quiet class!
Take slow steps
Dogs are able to be non reactive when working, before just hanging out,
not under any particular direction from handler
Always remind to jump from CC to OC and back to CC as needed
Reactive Dogs
What to do for a Reactive Dog
Classes for Reactive Dogs
Considerations
Dogs will progress at different rates
remind students of this
May need to place some dogs in class carefully, especially if very fearful
not with a rowdy crowd
Reactive Dogs
What to do for a Reactive Dog
Classes for Reactive Dogs
Upper level classes
2 or 3 Levels of basic depending on the team: 6 weeks
Tricks for reactive dogs
Agility for reactive dogs
Multiple levels
NOT for competition prep
To have a place to practice being with dogs and having fun
Reactive Dogs
What to do for a Reactive Dog
Classes for Reactive Dogs
Video:
End of class
Down on mat, relax
The Learned Dog
Class 12: reactive dogs
Paper
• Due last day of class (5/19)
• If you need an extension, you must submit a formal extension request to the Academic Services office prior to the 19th.
• I can not grant an informal extension.
• I can not give you a passing grade without receiving a final paper.
• 6-8 pages on a topic of your choice.
Paper, cont...
• Possible topics
• Pick a training problem with your pet, develop a protocol, do the training & keep a journal, write-up it all up.
• Not important if you succeed or fail, what is important is how you approach the problem and your analysis of it.
• Some other topic that demonstrates that you have mastered the material from the class.
Paper cont.
• You will be graded on...
• Demonstration that you have mastered the material in the context of the paper/project you have chosen.
• Using the correct terms
• Your analysis of the situation
• References to the lectures and readings
Brief intro to pharmacology...
The big idea...
• Meds can play an important role when used in conjunction with behavior modification
• Meds alone are never a replacement for an integrated program of training, management and medication.
• Meds aren’t cheating. There is a reason that meds are prescribed for people. The correct use of meds can definitely facilitate behavior mod.
• Despite the wide-spread use of psychotropic drugs in humans, we know very little about how they work, and even less about how they work in animals such as dogs.
When meds can help...
• When there is an underlying physiological problem, e.g., the use of soloxine to address hypothyrodism.
• When a problem can be resolved more quickly using medication: e.g., clomipramine for separation anxiety.
• Reduce arousal to a level where behavior mod can have a fighting chance: e.g., using beta-blockers.
• When a problem is not amenable to behavior mod., e.g., OCD type behaviors such as tail chasing.
Handbook of Behavior Problems of the Dog and Cat
Glutamate & GABA are the way neurons communicate fast, short-term & local effect
Excite
Inhibit
LeDoux, J. (2002). Synaptic Self: How our Brains Become Who We Are. New York, NY, Penguin Books.
Anti-anxiety medications “may” work by inhibiting
response of LA
LeDoux, J. (2002). Synaptic Self: How our Brains Become Who We Are. New York, NY, Penguin Books.
3 basic ways of modifying the amount of serotonin in the synapses...
• Inhibit the enzymes that break down serotonin in the brain...
• MAO inhibitors
• Slow down the recycling (or re-uptake) of neurotransmitters including serotonin by the presynapic cells...
• Tricyclics (Amitriptyline or Clomipramine)
• Slow down the recycling/re-uptake of just serotonin
• SSRIs( Selective Serotonin Re-Uptake Inhibitors such as Prozac or Zoloft)
Things to know...
• They take time
• SSRIs such as Prozac typically take 4 to 6 weeks before one might begin to see a change.
• Soloxine seems quicker, but still takes weeks, not hours or days...
• There may be side-effects: tricyclics tend to be sedating, prozac may cause restlessness. Most neurotransmitters play many roles in the body and these drugs don’t know when they are in the brain or not.
• Have realistic expectations!
Bruce’s intuition for what it is worth...
• It all goes back to our old friend the amygdala and counteracting the long-term consequences of an over-active amygdala...
• I think we are going to see increased emphasis on the role of the endocrine system in treating depression, and ultimately behavioral issues in dogs.
• Remember the 3Ms
• Modification
• Management
• Medication
Scuppers
I don’t know if you’d be interested, but... The beginning
• 7 months old living with breeder & mom, sister, 2 other dogs
• Picked on by other pups
• Spotty socialization (dog park, shows, drop-in puppy class)
• Good training at home (sit, come, crate, housebroken, great manners..., no apparent people issues)
• Confident in breeders house, easy introduction to our house, basket case at Gemini...
• Reactive on walks, but no redirection
Background
The 4 footed cast...
Backyard interactions
The early days
• Immediate socialization: walks, people, dog classes
• too soon and over-the-top?
• walks accompanied by Sydney...
• Feisty-Fido by Patricia McConnell
• Great book, easy to put into practice, but rushed it.
• Neutered at 8 months
The early days
• Dog classes
• CC while being a spectator
• Attention
• Rally
• Agility
• Fiesty Fido Agility
• In general, stressed but not reactive in class
The early days
• Walks
• Not reactive to dogs in yards, or distant dogs in a park: orient or sit & watch
• Extremely reactive to dogs on leashes
• Occasionally reactive to passing cars
• General pattern when interacting with another dog: approach fearfully, sniff and then lunge, bark & nip. The more confident the dog, the less likely Scuppers would attack, but...
• Extensive CC and OC
The early days
• Best intentions, well-informed intentions, and I did a lot right, but...
• Even with all my knowledge I underestimated difficulty
• Ignored stress. In retrospect I would have gone much, much, slower
• Too much emphasis on OC initially and not enough on CC
• Finding excuses to reward as opposed to rewarding for criteria
• Too little emphasis initially on play & tugging