profile

Positive Dog

Reactivity, Recall, and Settling at a Cafe...

Published 10 months ago • 1 min read

Recall, reactivity, and calm behaviours all draw from the same foundations: self-control and arousal management. On the surface, they don't seem the same - recall is fast and high-energy, reactivity is emotionally charged, and settling at a cafe is low-energy and chill.

These behaviours all depend on the dog’s ability to regulate their internal state and make choices under stimulation.

Different goals, same skillset

When you call your dog, they must disengage from distractions and focus on you.

When faced with a trigger (dog, skateboard, squirrel), they must inhibit their initial reaction and choose a calmer response.

When sitting quietly at a café, they must regulate excitement and frustration, even when the server comes by or a person at a neighbouring table looks like they want to share their muffin.

All of those are examples of self-regulation — the dog managing internal impulses in the face of external stimulation.

Most people treat these skills as separate issues.

“My dog doesn't come when called.” “My dog is reactive.” “My dog can’t settle.”

But they’re not three different problems — they’re three symptoms of the same missing foundations. If your dog struggles with arousal management, everything else becomes harder.

Stay tuned for info on an upcoming class! I'm just formulating the details and I'm really excited to share it with you ❤️

Happy training,

Christina

Other Free Resources

FB Reactivity Group

FB Puppy Group

Relaxation Protocol

Podcast

Podcast

Blog

2738 Holden Corso Rd, Nanaimo, BC v9x 1n5
​Unsubscribe · Preferences

Positive Dog

Christina Young, BSc, CDBC, PCBC-A

Subscribe if you'd like to receive my somewhat regular emails including training tips and concepts as well as info about my upcoming freebies and programs!

Read more from Positive Dog

Good morning! I am so excited about Dream Dog. We are going to have so much fun diving into what each dog needs, what each person needs, and how to help our dogs progress to the next level! Building your dream dog isn’t about changing who they are. It’s about meeting them where they are, celebrating their unique personality, and growing together as a team. Now's the time! Don't miss out. Dream Dog won't open again any time soon and this type of connection directly to me is only available in...

12 days ago • 1 min read

Tried everything, but your dog's big feelings still hold you back? You've taken classes, private lessons, watched hours of YouTube, maybe even tried medications—and you're not sure what's left to try. Frustrated that your dog just can't keep it together? You wish everyone could see the sweet, funny, loving dog you know when it's just the two of you. Avoiding events and feeling isolated? Registration for Dream Dog closes TOMORROW. Dream Dog is for people with reactive, anxious, or over-the-top...

13 days ago • 1 min read

You're going to make mistakes with your dog. Sorry for the foul language, but seriously, be nicer to yourself! You'll miss a warning sign. You'll push too far on a bad day. You'll look back and think I should have known better. And when it happens, that voice in your head will be merciless. Learning isn't linear. When we live with dogs with Big Feelings, progress is often three steps forward, one step back. That's normal. Setbacks don't erase all the hard work you've done. One rough day...

13 days ago • 1 min read