Key Takeaways
1. Understand and assess your dog's anxiety using the FLIRT Behavioral Assessment
FLIRT Behavioral Assessment uses a 1-10 score, 1 being lowest or "cold" and 10 being highest or "hot."
FLIRT elements. The FLIRT assessment evaluates five key aspects of a dog's behavior:
- Frequency: How often the problematic behavior occurs
- fLexibility: The dog's ability to respond to cues and generalize learned behaviors
- Intensity: The severity or strength of the behavior
- Recovery: How quickly the dog returns to baseline after a triggering event
- Threshold: How easily the dog reaches the point of reaction
Practical application. Use this assessment to:
- Identify specific areas of concern in your dog's behavior
- Track progress over time as you implement training strategies
- Determine if professional help or medication may be necessary
2. Build a foundation of essential behaviors for a calm and focused dog
All of these foundation behaviors help teach the mechanical skill set that goes with the concepts behind CU that are so important to me to teach and talk about.
Core behaviors. Essential foundation behaviors include:
- Default behavior (e.g., sit or down)
- Off-switch game
- Whiplash Turn and reorienting
- Mat work
- Look at That game
- Chin rest
Conceptual framework. These behaviors support two key concepts:
- Conversational training: Creating a dialogue between dog and handler for easy feedback
- Empowering the learner: Allowing the dog to direct their counterconditioning process
By mastering these foundation behaviors, dogs learn to communicate effectively with their handlers and gain confidence in various situations.
3. Teach your dog to Take a Breath for instant relaxation and focus
Before asking your dog to do anything else, ask this question. "Can you focus on me and take a breath?" If his answer is no, then you need to adjust things for him until his answer is yes.
Teaching the behavior. To teach Take a Breath:
- Hold a treat near the dog's nose to encourage sniffing
- Wait for signs of inhaling (nostril flare or sides of nostrils moving)
- Reward the inhaling behavior
Applications. Use Take a Breath:
- As a reset during training sessions
- To help calm an anxious or reactive dog
- Before entering new environments or situations
- To improve focus and attention
Incorporate Take a Breath into other behaviors and routines to create a calming effect throughout your dog's day.
4. Use voluntary behaviors to empower your dog and improve communication
My grandma used to say, "Children should be seen and not heard!" which meant she expected me to look cute, sit down, and be quiet. CU training is the opposite of that: Dogs should be seen and heard and responded to and empowered.
Voluntary behaviors. These are actions the dog chooses to perform without a direct cue, such as:
- Chin rests
- Default behaviors
- Orienting to the handler
Benefits of voluntary behaviors:
- Establish trust between dog and handler
- Foster cooperation and engagement
- Give dogs control over their learning process
- Improve communication between dog and handler
Implementation. Incorporate voluntary behaviors into training by:
- Allowing the dog to initiate interactions
- Responding consistently to the dog's chosen behaviors
- Using start-button behaviors in counterconditioning exercises
5. Master the Look at That game for better environmental engagement
The clicker wizard known as Ken Ramirez refers to the Look at That game as "counterconditioning with an operant base."
Core concept. Look at That (LAT) teaches dogs to:
- Notice a potential trigger in the environment
- Look back at their handler
- Receive reinforcement for this sequence
Benefits of LAT:
- Helps dogs process potentially stressful stimuli calmly
- Improves focus and engagement with the handler
- Builds confidence in various environments
Advanced applications. As dogs become proficient:
- They may offer subtler indications (e.g., ear flicks) instead of full head turns
- Handlers can use LAT to normalize novel environments
- Dogs learn to "report" interesting things to their handlers voluntarily
6. Implement pattern games to create predictability and reduce anxiety
It's easier to countercondition a dog while he is already engaged in a predictable, safe pattern when he is exposed to the trigger. He can process the trigger from the context of being in his happy place.
Pattern game characteristics:
- Safe and predictable
- Repetitive
- Voluntary
- Normalizing for the environment
Popular pattern games:
- 1-2-3 Walking: Count steps and treat on "three"
- Give Me a Break: Use reset treats to build motivation
- Chair Game: Use a chair as a visible station for treats
- Superbowls: Create a line of treat stations
Benefits of pattern games:
- Help dogs process triggers while in a comfortable mental state
- Create a portable, trustworthy system of cues
- Allow dogs to direct their own counterconditioning process
Customize pattern games to fit individual dogs' needs and specific environmental challenges.
7. Consider medication in conjunction with training for severe anxiety cases
Meds do not fix everything, you still need to train, but they sure cut down on the suffering of generalized anxiety.
Medication benefits:
- Reduces overall anxiety levels
- Allows for more effective training
- Improves quality of life for severely anxious dogs
When to consider medication:
- High scores on multiple FLIRT assessment factors
- Persistent generalized anxiety despite consistent training efforts
- Recommendation from a veterinary behaviorist
Holistic approach. Combine medication with:
- Continued behavior modification training
- Environmental management
- Regular reassessment of the dog's progress
Remember that medication is a tool to support training and behavior modification, not a standalone solution. Work closely with a veterinary professional to determine the best course of action for your dog.
Last updated:
FAQ
What's "Control Unleashed: Reactive to Relaxed" about?
- Focus on behavior modification: The book is about helping reactive dogs become more relaxed and confident through a series of structured exercises and games.
- Empowerment through training: It emphasizes empowering dogs to make choices and communicate with their handlers, fostering a cooperative relationship.
- Comprehensive program: The book builds on the original "Control Unleashed" series, introducing new concepts and techniques for dog training.
- Target audience: It is aimed at dog owners, trainers, and behavior consultants looking to improve their dogs' focus and reduce anxiety.
Why should I read "Control Unleashed: Reactive to Relaxed"?
- Innovative techniques: The book offers unique training methods that are not commonly found in other dog training resources.
- Practical applications: It provides practical exercises that can be applied to real-world situations, making it useful for both pet owners and professional trainers.
- Focus on relationship building: The book emphasizes building a strong, communicative relationship between dogs and their handlers.
- Comprehensive guidance: It covers a wide range of topics, from foundational behaviors to advanced training techniques, making it a valuable resource for anyone working with dogs.
What are the key takeaways of "Control Unleashed: Reactive to Relaxed"?
- Conversational training: The book introduces the concept of conversational training, where both the dog and handler can cue each other and engage in a dialogue.
- Voluntary behaviors: It highlights the importance of voluntary behaviors in empowering dogs and giving them control over their training.
- Pattern games: The book emphasizes the use of pattern games to create predictable and safe environments for dogs to learn and process triggers.
- Behavior modification focus: The primary goal is to change how dogs feel, not just how they behave, leading to more functional and relaxed dogs.
How does Leslie McDevitt define "conversational training" in the book?
- Two-way communication: Conversational training involves a dialogue between the dog and handler, where both can cue each other and provide feedback.
- Flexible criteria: The criteria for training are fluid and can change based on the dog's needs and skill level, allowing for a more personalized approach.
- Empowerment: This method empowers dogs to make choices and communicate their needs, fostering a cooperative relationship.
- Focus on environment: It encourages handlers to ask questions about the environment and adjust training based on the dog's responses.
What is the "FLIRT Behavioral Assessment" mentioned in the book?
- Assessment tool: FLIRT is a tool used to evaluate a dog's behavior and determine if they may need a veterinary behaviorist referral.
- Acronym meaning: FLIRT stands for Frequency, FLexibility, Intensity, Recovery, and Threshold, which are the key areas assessed.
- Identifying clinical issues: It helps identify behaviors that may indicate clinical anxiety or other behavioral issues.
- Proactive approach: The assessment encourages handlers to be more aware of their dog's behavior and take proactive steps to address potential problems.
What are "pattern games" in "Control Unleashed: Reactive to Relaxed"?
- Predictable behavior chains: Pattern games are simple, repetitive behavior chains that help dogs feel safe and secure in their environment.
- Voluntary participation: Dogs initiate the patterns, giving them control and making the training process more engaging.
- Counterconditioning tool: These games are used to countercondition dogs to triggers by providing a structured and predictable context.
- Examples provided: The book includes various pattern games, such as the 1-2-3 Walking Pattern Game and the Chair Game, to help dogs focus and relax.
How does the book address "voluntary behaviors" in dog training?
- Empowerment focus: Voluntary behaviors empower dogs by giving them control over their training and allowing them to communicate their needs.
- Start-button behaviors: The book introduces start-button behaviors, where dogs can signal their readiness for a task or interaction.
- Building trust: These behaviors help build trust between the dog and handler, fostering a cooperative relationship.
- Practical applications: The book provides examples of how to incorporate voluntary behaviors into various training scenarios.
What is the "Look at That" game in "Control Unleashed: Reactive to Relaxed"?
- Conversational training tool: The "Look at That" (LAT) game is used to create a dialogue between the dog and handler about the environment.
- Flexible cue: It involves a flexible cue that allows the dog to offer a general orienting behavior, such as a glance or ear flick.
- Counterconditioning method: LAT helps dogs process triggers by associating them with positive reinforcement from the handler.
- Evolving behavior: The game evolves as the dog becomes more comfortable, with the orienting behavior becoming subtler over time.
What are the "Off-Switch Game" and its purpose in the book?
- Biofeedback training: The Off-Switch Game is designed to help dogs regulate their arousal levels through biofeedback.
- Arousal management: It teaches dogs to switch between high and low arousal states, improving their coping skills in stimulating situations.
- Voluntary behavior: The game incorporates voluntary behaviors, allowing dogs to initiate the calming process.
- Practical application: It is used to help dogs focus and relax, making it easier for them to engage in other training activities.
How does "Control Unleashed: Reactive to Relaxed" address "generalized anxiety disorder" in dogs?
- Medication discussion: The book discusses the role of medication in managing generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) in dogs.
- Behavior modification: It emphasizes the importance of behavior modification alongside medication to improve a dog's quality of life.
- Threshold management: The book provides strategies for managing a dog's threshold and helping them cope with anxiety-inducing situations.
- Personal insights: The author shares personal experiences with anxiety, offering a compassionate perspective on the challenges faced by anxious dogs.
What are the best quotes from "Control Unleashed: Reactive to Relaxed" and what do they mean?
- "Control is a primary reinforcer." This quote highlights the importance of giving dogs control over their environment and training, as it is inherently rewarding for them.
- "Empower the learner." This phrase emphasizes the book's focus on empowering dogs to make choices and communicate their needs, fostering a cooperative relationship.
- "There are no problem behaviors, there are problem situations." This quote underscores the book's approach to behavior modification, focusing on changing the environment and context rather than just the behavior itself.
- "Dogs should be seen and heard and responded to and empowered." This statement encapsulates the book's philosophy of treating dogs as active participants in their training, with a focus on communication and empowerment.
How does Leslie McDevitt incorporate "mat work" in the training process?
- Safe space creation: Mat work is used to create a safe and predictable space for dogs to relax and focus during training.
- Conditioned emotional response: The book provides steps for teaching dogs to associate positive feelings with being on a mat, helping them feel secure.
- Voluntary behavior integration: Mat work is combined with voluntary behaviors, allowing dogs to signal when they are ready for interactions or training.
- Counterconditioning tool: It serves as a foundation for other exercises, such as the Look at That game, by providing a stable base for dogs to process triggers.
Review Summary
Readers highly praise Control Unleashed Reactive To Relaxed for its innovative approach to dog training. They appreciate the focus on conversational training, giving dogs choices, and building voluntary cooperation. Many find the book easy to read, practical, and filled with valuable tools for managing reactive dogs. Reviewers highlight the updated techniques and games, noting their effectiveness for both reactive and non-reactive dogs. Some readers mention the need for more context from previous books, but overall, the book is considered a must-read for dog owners seeking to improve communication with their pets.
Similar Books
About the Author
Other books by Leslie McDevitt
Download PDF
Download EPUB
.epub digital book format is ideal for reading ebooks on phones, tablets, and e-readers.