Posts from Bridge and Target 2 – re: certified trainers Webinar 11-2011

What do you do if a dog reactive dog makes it to the point where they are non-reactive to the vast majority of dogs that are presented, but
will react when another dog reacts. I can’t think of a way to expose them to a reactive dog in the same way that you would slowly expose
them to other items, such as the way you would carry a rabbit into the room and leave when they just start to react.

“While Conditioned Relaxation and the rest of the Perception Modification processes can be used on the street, in uncontrolled situations, this is definitely a more advanced job, and is usually a bit overwhelming for inexperienced people. Also, it may not be safe. If your dog is dog reactive, and you encounter another dog at a dog park, it may not be safe to do Cycles, or Conditioned Relaxation, right there, because there are other uncontrolled animals that may suddenly attack, or otherwise make problems.”

When I have used this, it has only been in a area that is safe to do so. At the dog park, I set us up in a safe environment, we are in a
separate fenced in “small dog area” where the other dogs are outside the fence. So we are safe from other dogs, yet they have been
presented with the dogs up close, just on the other side of the fence.

We have not completely eliminated their reaction to other reactive dogs. I am unsure as to if I push them further using the same
exercise or if there is a better way to expose them to the reactive dogs. The goal of this is for them to keep control of themselves,
even if a barking dog runs up near us on a walk or a similar unanticipated encounter happens.

When I am making them relax in this situation (on the street), I am getting them down onto their side, and waiting until they get their
head down, legs limp touching the ground, tail still, ears and eyes soft – no movement other than breathing and blinking. I do not touch
them other than to keep them from getting up and leaving. I wait for them to hold this position, then I have them hold it for xxxxxx for
about 30 seconds then let them up.

“The neurobiology of this is not fully understood, but it is a hot research area. Candace Pert’s book, Molecules of Emotion gives some great insight.”

That book looks great, thank you for telling me about it. I’ve been recently reading and learning more about the mind – body connection
and find it very interesting.

“Keith Kendrick, of Cambridge University, has done some really outstanding, rigorous and insightful research as well.”

I looked him up and read some of his studies, I had no idea that sheep and horses had that level of potential for reading faces and long term
memory.

I was just watching your videos on youtube. I’m quite impressed with your horses ability to remember which object was presented. The stray
cat coming in for x-rays is also highly impressive.

Thank you for your assistance,

Jamie Dolan
Neenah, WI