Meet Kaos, my 4.5-year-old boxer. He is a complete goober and I love him to bits. The journey we’ve been on together has taught me so much. About myself. About dog training. About who I want to be as a person. He’s armed me with a collection of tips and tricks that I’d never be without when working with a reactive dog.
Today’s tip: Change the equipment to change the picture.
When we got Kaos at 24 weeks, his breeder hadn’t done any early socialisation with him. Although he was a happy-go-lucky boy, he lacked confidence, and any little stressor made him fool around, jump up, or roll on his back. He also licked incessantly.
But his most difficult behaviour was his reaction to other dogs. He would bounce, spin, scream… and mimic the movement of a mechanical bull.
He’d do this to all dogs regardless of their size or how far away they were. His behaviour even triggered my anxiety. Every time we approached a blind corner, I thought my heart would beat out of my chest.
Changing the Picture
For some dogs, equipment can play a big role in signalling what behaviour is most appropriate. Guide dog trainers use equipment strategically to let the dog know when it’s time to work and when they can just go be a dog!
In the same way, some dogs’ walking equipment can signal that bad things might happen. Their equipment forms part of their Trigger Picture.
You see, for many dogs, it’s not so much that they have a specific “villain” they react to. It’s not like they only react to black poodles, or they only react to yellow bicycles.
Instead, it’s the combination of stimuli that builds up a Trigger Picture. The texture under their paws, how open or crowded the environment is, which particular human is with them, the sights, sounds and smells. And yes, even the equipment they’re wearing.
All these micro-triggers build up, causing them to be on edge and vigilant. The dog starts scanning for danger the moment they step outside. That dog they barked at isn’t the full story – it’s simply the final straw.
By changing the equipment, we can help change that picture and retrain the dog’s brain. Instead of expecting bad things to happen, they’re calmer and more receptive to our games.
Of course, equipment alone will not “fix” a dog’s reactivity. It’s the combination of new equipment and creating a picture of safety that helps retrain the brain.
So, what equipment did I use to help reframe our walks?
The first thing we did was switch Kaos from a collar to a Y-shaped harness with two points of contact. This design is much harder to back out of if they ever get spooked. I’ve seen so many reactive dogs back out of their harnesses. It’s flipping scary!
I also prefer this design because it allows free movement of the shoulder girdle, it gives me full control of the dog’s centre of mass (if I ever need it!), and if there’s any tension through the lead, it goes into their chest – not their throat.
One of my favourites is the Stylish Hound Chest-Plate Harness*. They’re an amazing Australian company and heaps of their products are made from recycled materials. I highly recommend them!
I also use a double-ended lead. Similar to a horse, it gives me those two points of contact and allows me to do the (A to B manoeuvre) if we ever need it. The Stylish Hound Double-Ended Lead* is an excellent option for anyone who wants something robust and long-lasting.
So, that’s how I helped change the picture with Kaos. By changing his walking equipment, I was able to create a safer and more predictable environment for him. We’ve come a long way from the days when I felt like I was on the verge of a panic attack every time we stepped out the front door!
Kaos is now a regular demo-dog for my group class and he’ll even act as “stooge dog” for other reactive dogs!
If you have a reactive dog, remember that you’re not alone. Seek professional help and be patient – with your dog and yourself! Changing equipment can help change that trigger picture. With patience and consistency, you and your furry friend can change the story.
*Use the coupon code KCON at check-out to get 10% off!
