When working with a dog who’s easily distracted or nervous around other dogs, it’s very important to understand that each dog has different comfort levels. Knowing the circumstances and environments that your dog is able to emotionally and mentally handle will give you a reliable starting point you can then build upon.
The key to success when tackling reactivity and behaviour modification also lies in having patience, respect for your dog’s can and can'ts, and reinforcing calm responses. Let's take a look at how we can help your dog, or any dog who feels similarly to Chloe, stay calm outdoors and around other dogs, and how you can use positive reinforcement to encourage the desired choices that your dog makes.
Managing Distractions and Social Interactions:
Recognizing the Signs
It’s essential to recognize when your dog is ready to engage with other dogs and when they need space. If you notice that your dog is showing signs of stress, feeling overly agitated or more distracted than usual—like sniffing around or focusing on something else—it’s important to respect those signs and not force your dog into an interaction. For instance, Chloe, a dog I’m working with, was more focused on what we were doing than the dog in the distance. While she did hear the other dog, she chose to stay focused on me. This was an excellent opportunity to reinforce calm responses on her part, keeping in mind the distance that she and I (as well as the other dog) were comfortable with.
Reinforcing Calm Behavior
In Chloe’s case, I more often than not will chose to reinforce her calm behaviours and decisions by offering her more space when we're outside. By allowing Chloe to stay at a distance where she feels comfortable, I rewarded her with what she and most sensitive or reactice dogs need most— time and space.
This shows Chloe that she doesn’t have to engage with the dog if she’s not ready, and it helps her feel more at ease around other dogs, ultimately getting closer and closer to the idea and association that dogs = time and space, more so than pressure and discomfort.
Using Positive Reinforcement
Positive reinforcement isn’t just about giving treats and praising. It’s about reinforcing the decisions your dog makes that you want to see more of. For Chloe, I reinforced her calm choices by not forcing her to engage with the dog, but rather offering her space, which helped her feel more secure and maintain a state of mind that cared more about doing things with me, rather than worrying about the other dog present. This reinforcement teaches dogs that staying calm and focusing on you can lead to positive outcomes and that it's naturally reinforcing to leave their concerns behind, trusting that it'll pay off more if they choose to focus on what we're doing above all else.
The Power of Distance
For many dogs, distance is key. Not every dog will feel comfortable approaching or interacting with another dog, and that’s okay. And thus by respecting a dog's comfort level, you in turn help them learn how to interact with other dogs at their own pace. You can use this distance as a form of positive reinforcement, rewarding your dog with more space when they remain calm and focused.
To sum it up, tackling dog reactivity and helping your dog stay calm around other dogs requires understanding and respecting their boundaries. By recognizing when your dog is ready to engage and when they need space, you create a positive experience that builds confidence and trust. Using positive reinforcement to reward calm reactions, and offering distance when needed, helps your dog learn how to remain calm in distracting and often stressful situations.