Pictured above, Ali throws treats for Bing and Tango to get them to create some random movement while Melissa with Lacey and Michelle with Rocky work some distance away.
Saturday Reactive Dog class usually requires a completely controlled environment. In the previous week’s class our three dogs escaped the house and got out into the yard causing mayhem, sort of. The idea of three dogs running about and barking in a completely fenced in area while class is going on does not seem like an ideal situation. However, the two dog/owner teams working in the reactive dog class at the time handled the confusion so well that we decided to do it again this week. A walk in the park for the students while two additional dogs and owner move about in fits and starts in the adjacent area.
The result was that the experienced dog/owner teams handled the situation well. Even during the previous week where the “exercise” was not planned, it shows that being prepared and having your dog’s focus makes all the difference when it comes to reactivity.
As with all reactive dog exercises, this one is carefully planned with a discussion taking place with Ali, Melissa and Michelle, before getting the dogs out of their cars (crates), getting their focus, taking positions, and walking together at prescribed distances from one another. There is no doubt the all the dogs can see one another and can still maintain the proper level of calm (Michelle’s dog Rocky did turn and woof once off camera).
Recent Reactive Dog Classes
