Reactivity, Dog Behavior, Nipping, Agility, Frustration And More: Q&A With Susan Garrett #283
Sep 13, 2024
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Susan Garrett, a leading expert in dog training and behavior, tackles your burning questions on reactivity, agility, and more. She shares insights on whether dogs thrive in multi-dog households and how to maintain focus and impulse control during training. Learn practical strategies to manage behaviors like lunging and nipping. The discussion also covers the nuances of neutering, handling high arousal in agility, and using play as a reinforcer. Perfect for dog owners navigating the challenges of canine companionship!
Assessing each dog's individual needs is crucial before introducing a new canine companion, as not all dogs thrive in multi-dog households.
Addressing ethical concerns about drive in agility training involves evaluating health, nutrition, and providing a clear, supportive environment to reduce frustration.
Deep dives
The Benefits of Multi-Dog Households
Dogs are adaptable creatures and their happiness can come from both human and canine company. While some dogs thrive in multi-dog households, others, especially rescue dogs with confidence issues, may do better alone. It's important to assess each dog's individual needs and time spent alone or with others before deciding to introduce another dog into the home. Ultimately, the companionship of a fellow dog is not a necessity for every dog, as many enjoy human interaction just as much.
Understanding and Enhancing Dog Drive
A lack of drive in agility training can stem from various issues, including health and nutrition. Properly addressing a dog’s gut biome and nutritional needs can significantly impact their drive and enjoyment while training. For instance, switching from kibble to fresh foods or raw diets may boost a dog's vitality and willingness to engage. Identifying underlying issues, such as digestive enzyme deficits, is crucial before attempting any training modifications.
Managing Overarousal and Reactivity
Overarousal in dogs, particularly during agility activities, can often result from a lack of clarity or excessive frustration. It is essential to observe the dog's responses and alter the training environment to cultivate clearer communication and reduce stress. When dealing with reactive dogs, it's vital to respect their boundaries by maintaining a safe distance from triggers and employing fun, confidence-building activities instead. By patiently desensitizing them to their fears and focusing on positive experiences, dogs can learn to remain calm in challenging situations.
Answering your top questions on reactivity, dog behavior, agility, frustration, sports dogs, neutering and more! You'll hear tips on training multiple dogs, strategies for improving focus, impulse control, and drive, and how to handle things like lunging, growling, nipping and jumping up. If you have any other questions I didn’t cover, jump over to YouTube and let me know in the comments. Your questions are always so insightful!
In this episode, I’m answering your great questions:
• Do dogs benefit from being in a multi-dog household or are they happy with human company? • I'm struggling with drive to show my dog that agility is fun. • I suspect my dog is having early takeoff at agility. Can I still do the sport? Is it selfish to want to continue? • Over arousal in the agility ring. • How often a sport dog should see specialists and which ones? • Neutering. When or when do I not neuter? Also, how to handle high sexual arousal for intact dogs. • I feel like crap when I lose my patience. • How do I train more than one dog at a time? • Reactivity, reactive dogs. Reactivity, if you don't have the ability to keep a dog away from all the triggers. • I need help practicing greeting people on leash when my dog shows leash reactivity, lunging, growling, jumping. • How do I set my dog up for even more success if he gets easily frustrated? • How do I use play to reinforce a cue? Can play replace food as a reinforcer? • Herding, nipping when overexcited and herding breeds.