Instant relaxation for reactive dogs: An astonishingly sensible solution revealed!
Reactive dogs, those that respond negatively to stimuli such as other dogs, people, or spooky objects, can find walks stressful and challenging. However, expert dog trainer Juliana DeWillems suggests a simple yet effective solution: letting a reactive dog sniff on walks as a replacement behavior.
This practice offers several benefits. Sniffing acts as a mental outlet and calming strategy, reducing the tension contributing to reactivity. It taps into the dog’s natural behaviors, helping to lower arousal and anxiety associated with reactivity.
Moreover, sniffing distracts the dog from potential triggers, preventing the build-up of stress and reactive behaviors. This distraction effectively breaks the cycle of anxiety, allowing the dog to "settle" and build trust in the environment, boosting their confidence.
When a dog has their head down sniffing, they cannot bark and lunge at the same time. This physical act helps bring a dog's heart rate down and calms their nervous system. In essence, sniffing helps manage reactivity in dogs.
DeWillems, the owner and head trainer at JW Dog Training & Behavior, emphasizes that sniffing is an excellent replacement behavior for reactive dogs. If a dog can sniff in the presence of a trigger, even better, she says.
DeWillems' client, who had a reactive dog, noticed a significant decrease in reactivity after allowing their dog to sniff more on walks. The practice not only helps reduce reactivity but also teaches the dog desirable replacement behaviors.
Pupford Beef Liver Training Freeze-Dried Dog Treats were found to be a suitable size for training by tester Isaiah. Hayes, the dog tested with these treats, enjoyed them so much that he would eat the entire bag if given the chance.
Dogs use sniffing to communicate, and it is a conflict-diffusing behavior. Sniffing can help make walks less stressful and more manageable for reactive dogs. For more advice on working with reactive dogs, the article titled "I trained as a dog behaviorist to better understand my reactive dog, and it totally transformed our bond" may provide valuable insights.
Reactive dogs can find walks stressful due to their response to stimuli, but allowing them to sniff during walks can offer several benefits, such as acting as a mental outlet and calming strategy, reducing tension and lowering arousal levels. Sniffing distracts the dog from potential triggers, preventing the build-up of stress and reactive behaviors, effectively breaking the cycle of anxiety. Pupford Beef Liver Training Freeze-Dried Dog Treats can be a suitable size for training, making the practice of encouraging sniffing more enjoyable for dogs. The article "I trained as a dog behaviorist to better understand my reactive dog, and it totally transformed our bond" provides valuable insights on working with reactive dogs.
