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Why is my dog suddenly reactive or aggresive?

December 4, 2024 By Sara Bryanton Leave a Comment

We have a lot of people who book consults at 8-14 months of age saying they are seeing reactivity and aggression for the first time. This can be most often be traced back to natural growth stages, misinterpretations of behavior during puppyhood, and environmental factors. Here’s a summarized analysis and actionable guide for you.

Why Reactivity and Aggression Surfaces Around 8-14 Months

Developmental Changes:

Dogs go through various growth phases, including sexual and social maturity.
Around 8 months, hormonal changes kick in, leading to shifts in behavior, confidence, and responses to the environment. Basically the dog becomes faster, smarter and stronger both mentally and physically.
They transition from being reliant puppies to independent, free-thinking adolescents who are more likely to act on their feelings.
They go through another phase of development called social maturity at 2-3 years of age where they once again are faster, smarter, stronger. If a dog makes it through sexual maturity with no reactivity or aggression, they may not make it through social maturity.

Tolerance vs. Comfort in Puppyhood:

Puppies often endure uncomfortable situations without reacting much, which can be mistaken for confidence or ease.
They are actually showing the usual physical stress signals but because there is nothing vocal yet, people tend to not notice.
As displayed widely in various Tik Tok videos of dogs that people find cute or humourous, most people are unaware that the dog is actually under stress.
This “hidden discomfort” can resurface as vocal and physical reactivity when they feel empowered to express concerns in adolescence.

“Out of the Blue” Behavior:

What seems sudden is often the result of cumulative experiences where stress signs went unnoticed or unmanaged.
Early discomfort may evolve into vocal or physical reactions like barking, growling, or lunging as dogs mature.

Prevention and Management Tips

Ongoing Training and Socialization:

Extend training beyond puppyhood to address new challenges during fear periods (often at 6-14 months), sexual maturity, and social maturity (2-3 years).
Focus on controlled, positive exposures with food rather than overwhelming the dog with new situations.

Understanding Stress Signals:

These are the common stress signals. Your dog may be showing just a couple of these or several at once.

Yawning when not sleepy
Panting -when not hot of just exercised
Lips or nose licks
Tightly closed mouth
Ears flat back
Hard stare
Wide eyes -the whites are visible
Frequent blinking
Moving head away to the side
Moving body away, backing up
Tail down over butt or tucked
Stillness and/or body stiffness
Crouched body
Paw lift -when body is cowering, ears back or tail down/tucked
Belly up-lying on their side, body straight and tense, legs tense, tail tucked
Sudden ground or floor sniffing when there is nothing new there to smell.
Sudden scratching or licking themselves
Shaking off- when not wet
Pacing

Set Boundaries at Home:

Avoid reinforcing reactive behaviors by allowing territorial or demand-driven actions, such as:

Barking at windows or guarding vantage points by perching on furniture.
Physical demands like pawing or barking at you for attention.
Pushy behaviours such as bulldozing you, your kids or other dogs in the home to get through doors or get somewhere first.

Anticipate Social Maturity Challenges:

Even dogs that seem well-adjusted can develop new challenges at 2-3 years old. Revisit training and socialization practices to address any new behaviors.

By focusing on proactive training, recognizing stress signals, and setting clear boundaries, owners can better navigate these developmental phases and help their dogs grow into confident, well-adjusted adults.

~Coach Sara

Why Solid Recall Can Save Your Dog’s Life: Lessons from a Surprising Blooper

September 23, 2024 By Duke Ferguson Leave a Comment

“If you’re going to let your dog off the leash, you better have a solid recall for safety and sanity purposes.”

Every dog owner has that moment when their dog suddenly bolts, and in that moment, you realize just how crucial recall training is. This can be the difference between a safe return and a disaster. In this video, you get a firsthand look at a real-life training session where things didn’t go as planned, but in the end, it provides a perfect learning opportunity. What makes this story unique? Well, it includes an unexpected blooper—a surprise cat that takes center stage. What starts as a simple training exercise turns into a wild chase and an impromptu lesson in the importance of a solid recall command.

When training dogs, you can’t control the environment, but you can certainly control your dog through proper techniques. The blooper shows what happens when your dog encounters a distraction like a cat, and how having a reliable recall command is not just a convenience but a necessity. As I explain in the video, if you’re overconfident and lose focus, things can go south fast. One second, Koal was heading out to retrieve a bumper, and the next, he was in hot pursuit of a cat. The situation escalated quickly, and while I didn’t react as fast as Koal, the recall training paid off. With three blows of the whistle, Koal came sprinting back—proof that recall can pull your dog away from prey, even when you can’t see them.

So how do you ensure that your dog listens when it counts? It comes down to setting the foundation with the right training. Here are four tips from the video that will help you build a rock-solid recall:

1. Set the Stage for Success

Before you can expect your dog to come reliably, you need to create the right conditions. This means controlling what you can and preventing what you can’t. The key is not giving your dog full freedom until they’ve mastered the recall. One of the best ways to do this is by using food as a motivator. Instead of feeding your dog straight from a dish, use mealtime as an opportunity to train. When food is tied to training, your dog becomes more motivated, and you can shape a solid recall without distractions.

2. Establish Clear Communication

Often, the problem isn’t that dogs don’t want to listen; they simply don’t understand what we’re asking. That’s why it’s essential to set up a clear communication system. I always start by establishing behavior marks—using clickers, verbal markers like “good,” or release cues. This helps the dog understand when they’ve done something right and when they can expect a reward. Communication doesn’t just stop at behavior marks, though. It’s equally important to wait to name the command until after you’ve shaped the behavior. Get the dog responding first, then start attaching the recall word. This ensures the command has meaning when you use it.

3. Shape the Recall Through Play

Recall training doesn’t have to be rigid or boring. One of the most effective ways to build a strong recall is by integrating it into a game. When your dog is hungry, throw a piece of food away and let them chase after it. Once they’ve eaten it, they’ll naturally come back to you for more. Each time they return, mark the behavior, and toss the food again. With a leash on, you don’t even have to call them—you’re shaping the behavior of returning to you. As this becomes a habit, start introducing the recall word, so when they hear it, they associate it with fun and rewards.

4. Take it to the Real World—But Stay Safe

Once your dog has a reliable recall in a controlled environment, it’s time to test it in more distracting settings. But be cautious—just because your dog listens in one situation doesn’t mean they will in another. It’s easy to get overconfident, thinking your dog will come every time. To really solidify the recall and ensure your dog responds in any scenario, I highly recommend using a remote collar, the way we teach it. This helps deepen the recall response, so no matter where your dog is or what distractions they face, they’ll fly back to you when called—just like Cole did after chasing the cat.

Training your dog to come when called isn’t just about obedience—it’s about safety. In the video, Koal’s chase could have turned into something much more dangerous. But because of his training, I was able to call him off a prey drive and bring him back. When you put in the time to create a reliable recall, you’re ensuring your dog’s safety in all kinds of environments.

The next time you think about letting your dog off-leash, remember: a solid recall isn’t optional. It’s essential for both your dog’s safety and your peace of mind.

How to Fit a “Dominant Dog Collar” for a Reactive Dog

August 6, 2024 By Duke Ferguson Leave a Comment

In this article, I want to show you how to properly fit a dominant dog collar, or what I simply call a slip lead. This type of collar is highly effective for calming reactive dogs, especially those who are leash reactive or tend to freak out around other dogs. It’s a great tool to help your dog relax without immediately resorting to more corrective tools like pinch collars.

Why Choose a Dominant Dog Collar?

The slip lead is designed to help calm your dog. It’s not about correcting behavior through sharp jerks,or activating but rather about providing gentle control and reducing reactivity. If you have a dog that overreacts to other dogs or becomes highly excited on the leash, starting with a slip lead or a dominant dog collar can be very beneficial. A slip lead is different than a dominant dog collar but my PEI language – Island slang, often calls all the collars “slip leads. IT is good to note that Slip, leads, slip collars, as well as dominant dog collars are all different tools by nature but can be used similar.

NOTE: Dominant dog collar is the collar in the video and size requirements are needed, not as much for slip leads. Size and measurements differ depending on where you get the collar.

Fitting the Dominant Dog Collar

Getting the right fit is crucial for the collar to work effectively. Here’s how to measure and fit the collar properly:

Measure the Neck: Use a measuring tape or a piece of string to measure around the dog’s neck, just behind the ears. You want this measurement to be snug, as a loose collar will not stay in place.
Choose the Right Size: Once you have the neck measurement, select a slip lead that matches. If the measurement is between sizes, it’s generally better to choose the smaller size to ensure a snug fit.
Positioning: The collar should sit high on the dog’s neck, right behind the ears. This is critical because a collar that sits too low will not provide the control you need and can slide down.
Fitting: When you put the collar on, the clip should be in your left hand with the dog facing you. This allows for easier and more effective handling. The collar should be snug enough that you can fit your fingers underneath but not so loose that you can fit your whole hand.

Checking the Fit

To ensure the collar is fitted correctly, attach the leash and pull gently. You should only see a small amount of slack, ideally just the length of your finger. If there’s more slack, the collar may be too loose and will not stay in the correct position.

Using the Dominant Dog Collar or any Slip Lead

When using the slip lead, keep in mind that it’s a tool to help your dog stay calm. It is important to teach your dog how to responded to the collar first in a few training sessions so the dog understands how to get its advantage. Teach your dog to be in control of it and learn how to remove it and avoid it. Just before your dog starts to react or pull, add gentle pressure and known command and reinforce a sit or a different behaviour it knows and likes. Then removing the discomfort encouraging your dog to relax and focus. It’s not meant to jerk over and over and or cause pain, but to guide and help then keep calm.

Benefits of a Proper Fit

A well-fitted slip lead:

Helps calm leash-reactive dogs by applying gentle pressure they want to avoid.
Keeps the collar in place high on the neck, where it’s most effective.
Prevents the collar from sliding down becoming un effective. ensuring consistent communication between you and your dog and having motivation is important.

Final Thoughts

For reactive dogs, starting with a slip lead can make a significant difference in their behavior on walks or outings while they learn to walk. Add food for positive reinforcement in training after the release of pressure of the lead to 10X the power! It provides enough consistent control and helps to calm your dog without the need for harsh corrections. If you’re looking for more training tips and personalized guidance, consider joining me in UPX our Unleashed Potential Experience community. We offer bi-weekly live training and coching sessions, access to our comprehensive online courses, and a supportive community to help you achieve your dog training goals. Jon a challenge, learn about breathwork and more.

Consider UPX Personal Development and training for YOU and YOUR dog.

For more information and to join us in UPX, visit https://www.dukeferguson.com/upx/membership and take the next step towards unleashing you and your dogs full potential.

Building Confidence in Soft-Mouthed Dogs: A Training Session with Koal

July 29, 2024 By Duke Ferguson Leave a Comment

Hey there, it’s Uncle Duke from Unleashed Potential. Today, I want to share an actual training session I had with Koal when he was about a year old. Now, Koal is doing great, but he is a soft dog and back then, he struggled with his retrieves. He was hesitant and not very assertive, especially when the ducks he retrieved were still moving. With some time, and consistent training toward goals, he loves it and can retrieve heavy Canada geese all day.

Addressing Hesitation in Retrieval Work

Koal’s hesitancy stemmed from his gentle nature. He was a soft pup with medium drive and we needed to build confidence from the start and later with the animals we hunted, like ducks and geese. It’s an un common issue among gundogs, and there’s often debate about whether to incorporate bite/tug work in their training. I’ve had extensive experience with both, and I can confidently say that it can be very beneficial when used correctly, but not for every dog.

In this session, koal was already well-trained with retrieves but he needed a confidence boost and some work on grips to hold on better. For this, I turned the training into a fun yet challenging game. I used a combination of tools, including a clicker, an e-collar, and a flirt pole, to simulate the movement of a duck or goose.

The Training Process

The goal of this session was to make koal more confident and assertive. Here’s how we approached it:

Incorporating the Clicker and E-Collar: I used a clicker to mark positive behaviors and an e-collar to motivate and encourage him. The e-collar was set to a low level, enough for koal to feel and respond. I use it as an activator but not so high that it caused to much discomfort, then it would be de activation. This balance is crucial for maintaining a positive training environment.
Using a Flirt Pole: The flirt pole simulated the movement of a duck or goose. This tool helped Koal practice his grips in a controlled setting where he could build some strength and confidence.
Creating a Game: Turning the training into a game made it enjoyable for Koal and I. It wasn’t just about learning; it was about having fun and building a strong bond between us. YES I get to play with dogs for my career. Living the dream!

Observing the Results

Throughout the session, I used the e-collar to activate and reinforce behaviors, not to punish. When koal hesitated or let go of the “prey,” I encouraged him to try again. By the end of the session,as you can see the difference in his behavior was noticeable. He was more confident and assertive in his retrieves.

One thing to note is that this type of training should not be attempted without proper preparation. This is not basic. Your dog needs to be e-collar conditioned the way we do it, so you will get the positive attitude and desired outcome & behaviour. The dog must understand how to get his advantage as well as understanding basics of retrieval training before introducing these more advanced techniques, if you decide to. Not all dogs require this, some need to be trained to be more soft and calm on the grips.

Building a Positive Relationship with Training Tools

I often hear people say that e-collars are inhumane and ruin the relationship between the dog and the trainer. This is a user issue not a e collar tool issue.

After watching the video to the end, you cant deny, this session with Koal is a testament to the opposite. The relationship I’ve built with Koal, not just with me but with all the tools and training methods we use, shows that when used correctly, e-collars and any training tool can enhance productivity, increase attention focus and confidence. Training with e collars and the tools we use can be a very positive experience for both you and your dog.

Koal sees the e-collar as good things in life and a part of our training process, he understands how to respond to it and knows how to use the system to his advantage, which makes him more confident and eager to work.

The Importance of Training in Context

When training your dog, it’s essential to consider their drives, temperament and needs. Motivation is important to understand. I had to keep Koal in good shape training physically and mentally, to build confidence and be good at his job and to LOVE what he does even more and this session was one of many, designed to do just that. It’s not about forcing your dog to comply but about motivating and shaping them to understand what’s expected and making it a positive experience. Once the dog knows how to get it’s advantage, stress decreases, confidence and hope increases. Dogs perform with heart and soul.

Joining the Unleashed Potential Experience – UPX Training and Coaching Community

Do you struggle with your dog and want to learn more about training and shaping desired behaviours the way we do? How about wanting to build a better relationship to increase trust, attention and response. Do you have a coach, a tribe or community of like minded individuals who understand you and are there to support you along the way? Dont go at it alone,Join us in UPX and get the transformations you and your dog deserve. I invite you to join me and others like you, to the Unleashed Potential Experience (UPX) community today! In our membership, you’ll have access to all my online courses like The Core Excellence, E-Collar Excellence, fetch4Me and more. Join one of many challenges we have in UPX and and win prizes, connect with other members, share struggles and celebrate breakthroughs, Meet me and the others live in the community every 2 weeks for new training concepts, personal development coaching and more, including breathwork sessions for you.

Final Thoughts

Training a dog takes time, patience, and the right approach. With the proper tools and techniques, you can help your dog overcome hesitancy and build confidence. koal’s progress is a great example of what’s possible when you combine effective training methods with a positive, supportive relationship. If you would like to learn more about how we use NePoPo® in training and as a lifestyle contact us today or join us in UPX.

If you’d like to see the full training session with Koal, head over to unleashpotential.ca or dukeferguson.com. My upk9 team and I are here to help you and your dog reach your full potential, one step at a time.

Join me in the Unleashed Potential Experience, and let’s work together to build a confident, happy, and well-trained dog.

Your Coach, Uncle Duke

Building Confidence in Nervous Dogs: Tackling Food Bowl Anxiety

July 23, 2024 By Duke Ferguson Leave a Comment

Hey there, it’s your trainer and coach, Uncle Duke from Unleashed Potential. Today, I want to address a common issue many dog owners face: dogs being nervous of different tings and sounds. We normally think about loud sounds like guns and fireworks, but some dogs are nervous of metal food bowls or water dishes. You might not notice it, but it’s a reality for many dogs. Ive seen thirsty dogs who refused fresh drink from a dog bucket that was metal. The clinking noise of their collar hitting the bowl can cause hesitation and anxiety. If you have a dog who has weak nerves or is fearful then this video and post is FOR YOU AND YOUR DOG! This post will walk you through techniques to help your dog build confidence and become more courageous around their food bowl. This confidence will bleed out in other life things in a more positive way. Take what I teach and add it to different situations in life with your dog. Same principles apply on other areas and to other things. This is the food bowl confidence builder.

Understanding the Anxiety

Dogs can develop nervousness around food bowls due to the noise they make when their collar or leash hits the dish and they have never learned to overcome it. This is particularly true for dogs that are naturally timid or have had negative experiences in the past. WE the humans often feel bad for the dog and make things more comfortable for them by using a different bowl and avoiding the issue of the initial fear. This is unproductive for for making the dog more courageous and resilient to life and more anxiety increases becasue the dogs never learn to take on a challenge and struggle then win to become stronger and tougher and more confident in life.

Instead, anxiety increases in different areas of life over time. This affects overall health, performance and wellness of the dog in a negative way. It is the same in humans. There is a healthy way and an unhealthy way to look at things that effect our choices and outcomes in life. Often doig the hard things, taking on the challenge is what helps us grow and learn and become stronger mentally and physically. We won’t do it if we are not motivated and we wont be if others will do it for us. 😉 I cant say enough about having a good coach in your corner and as for the dogs, they need us humans as their coach whos in their corner, just like we need coaches in our life to grow and succeed. This is why I became a certified professional dog trainer and high performance coach.

I feel there are ”to many” humans and dogs who end up on anti anxiety medication when it is not required. Most often other things in combination work excellent to combat anxiety. To name a few examples for humans and dogs: Getting enough rest and exercise, proper nutrition, therapy or coaching, training and personal development for dogs and humans, breathwork and more hobby or play. By taking on challenges to learn to serve and grow and doing hard tings that is what is required fir growth and resilience to life and reduce anxiety.

In the video, the goal is to counter condition or desensitize them to the noise and make the eating experience positive and stress-free.

Desensitization Techniques

One effective way to build your dog’s confidence is through gradual desensitization. Here’s how I approach this training:

Introduce the Noise Gradually: Start by dropping food into the bowl while your dog is near it. If they’re hesitant or jumpy, it’s okay. The idea is to get them used to the sound bit by bit.
Observe and Adjust: Pay close attention to your dog’s reactions. If they show signs of stress, like jumping or backing away, take note. The key is to proceed slowly and not push them past their comfort zone to much to fast. Let the dog try harder then you do. It is healthy to let the dog struggle to figure out how to gain its advantage.
Positive Associations: Each time you drop food into the bowl, the experience and sound means something positive. Over time, they will start to associate the clinking noise with something good—food!!!! and the noise will be a desired sound when it was once a fear sound. Decreasing the anxiety. BUT the dog needs to want the reward bad enough to try hard. Letting the dog struggle so it can find its own advantages is POWERFUL!!

Step-by-Step Process

Here’s a detailed breakdown of the process:

Initial Introduction: Place some food in the bowl and let your dog approach it. If they hesitate simply wait and just be there with them. If they jump at the noise, it’s a sign that they’re still nervous, but don’t worry—this is normal. This is a matter of time and patience. Just be! I call this waiting for the water to boil before we can get cooking potatoes and lobster. See that in a different youtube video. LOL!
Increasing the Challenge in small steps:: As your dog becomes more comfortable, start making a bit more challenging with noises and places with the bowl. Make it a game of growth and it will become fun as long as you dont make it to hard. For instance, you can tap the bowl lightly. Watch their reaction closely. If they remain calm, reward them with food. If at any point they seem too stressed, dial it back a bit. See the video for best example.
Incorporating Other Noises: To further build confidence, you can introduce other noises and distractions. For example, use a stick or another object to create sounds near the food bowl. This helps your dog become more resilient to various noises. Place the bowl on different surfaces and be creative and make it fun. Challenge build up idea: I set the bowl on a skate board and begin tapping on it as the dog eats. If you can do this post the video in UPX community if you are a member and we can celebrate! Besure to tage me and you could win a prize! . If you are not in UPX training and coaching community then I invite you to join me in UPX today.

Real-Life Application

During a training session, I noticed my dog was nervous about the noise of his food bowl. I began by dropping food into the bowl and observed his reaction. Initially, he startled at the noise, but with consistent practice “opening and closing the kitchen” and making positive reinforcement work, he became more comfortable.

One exercise I used was tapping the bowl while he was eating. At first,I took it slow since he was a little anxious,, but over time, he learned to associate the noise with food and became less anxious, mentally stronger and more confident. It’s similar to building muscle; you start with light weights and gradually increase the load as you get stronger. The same principle applies here—small steps lead to big improvements.

Final Thoughts

Training and dog and helping them to overcome their fears and build confidence takes time and patience and they need you as that coach. They cnt do it alone. Just like us humans, when we want to grow and transform and succeed we also need a good coach. Do you and your dog have a good coach?

It’s essential to give yourself patience and grace for you and your dog to learn and grow. Life, relationships and growth is a process and a struggle for dogs and humans. Honour the struggle is something I say in UPX, you should join us if you have not already.

By using these techniques, you can help your dog become more courageous and relaxed around their food bowl and other noises.

Dont go at life alone with your dog, find a like minded tribe and community. If you’re in to dog training, personal development, breathwork and outdoors and if you are looking for more guidance and support or more challenges and growth for you and your dog then join the Unleashed Potential Experience (UPX) community. In UPX, we offer live community group training and coaching sessions with me and my team. NePoPO® Dog Training and behaviour shaping, personalized coaching one to one live, recorded lives for viewing, supportive and inspiring community of extraordinary growth minded people to help you achieve your dog training goals easier and faster knowing your not alone. For more information and to sign up for my free video series on dog training, visit unleashpotential.ca or dukeferguson.com.

Remember, building a confident, well-adjusted, better version of you and your dog is a process and a journey to honour. With patience and the right approach, you can help your dog overcome their anxieties and thrive.