Tips and Tricks for Navigating Triggers

Create Space. It’s ok to cross the street or step off the trail or sidewalk to let another dog pass

Keep your dog moving. A dog in motion is less likely to react

Correct the look! Interrupt at the look, before they lock, load and explode

Use the leash, your body language and calm energy to help lead and support your dog

Sit and reset back to calm after you pass the trigger, offer quiet praise or better yet, wait until you get home for any reward

Be present with your dog, give them your undivided attention, watch their body language as they navigate the world

For multi-dog households, walk your dogs one at a time at least once a day

Give your dog time to rest and decompress after a training walk. Dogs need time to absorb and process all the information they learned.

Don’t continually hide behind parked cars or change direction – you can’t overcome an issue if you never face it

Don’t force your dog to sit and stare at the trigger. They will fixate and become more frustrated, increasing their reaction

Don’t grab your dog by the collar, hold their head or cover their eyes to try and block the trigger as this creates a bite risk, and dogs can still smell and hear everything

Don’t yell or constantly talk to your dog (try a no talk walk!) this can increase anxiety and add stress to the experience

Don’t hold food in front of their nose or scatter treats into the grass as a distraction. Treats increase arousal and excitement, often adding intensity to the reaction

Don’t talk on the phone or zone out with an audio book, tune into your dog instead

It’s challenging to correct one dog while juggling a second leash, also the “good” dogs are more likely to pick up poor behavior and not the other way around.