PURPOSE: To teach your dog to relax and not be reactive upon seeing various objects such as other dogs, people, bikes, golf carts.
1. DISTANCE IS YOUR FRIEND - Always work your dog at a sub-threshold of what your dog is capable of handling. So if your dog becomes reactive within 25 yards of an object but is completely calm at 50 yards, work your dog somewhere between 30-45 yards. The goal is to challenge your dog but not overwhelm him/her. You want your dog to be successful at each training session with an overall goal of being able to be closer to the object over time gradually.
2. STUFF A DOG - With your dog on leash, as soon as he/she sees the object, stuff him/her with tasty treats. You are attempting to give your dog a new pleasurable association, the food, with the scary object. Don’t worry if your dog barks a few times as you have to start somewhere with him/her.
3. REWARD A DOG - When your dog is able to look at the object but not bark, hesitate a few seconds before rewarding your dog with the tasty treats.
4. In the near future, your dog is likely to see the object and then look to you. Reward your dog’s decision to look away from the object and to you.
5. “Hand Targeting” and “Eye Attention” games can also be done in the presence of the object to help your dog learn to focus on you instead of the object.