11/10/2026
Have a ‘reactive’ dog
Then this is for you
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🐾 Does your dog react to other dogs, people, or distractions? The Engage / Disengage game might be exactly what you need! 🐶💙
This is one of our favourite protocols for helping reactive or easily distracted dogs learn to notice a trigger — and then calmly choose to check back in with YOU instead of reacting.
Here's how it works 👇
✅ STEP 1 — ENGAGE
Your dog spots the trigger at a distance. The moment they look at it, you mark with a "YES!" — and they turn back to you for a treat. You're building a positive association between the trigger and good things happening with you.
✅ STEP 2 — DISENGAGE
Now we wait for your dog to offer the check-in themselves. They look at the trigger… then choose to look back at you. Mark it, reward it, and repeat. That calm, voluntary check-in is exactly what we're building towards.
🔑 The key to all of this? Keeping your dog UNDER THRESHOLD — far enough away from the trigger that they can still think, take treats, and learn. If they're barking, lunging, stiff, or refusing food, you're too close. Increase the distance and set them up to succeed.
📄 We've put together a step-by-step visual guide covering both stages, threshold management, over-threshold signs, and troubleshooting tips for common sticking points. Check it out in the image below!
🎥 Want a more in-depth walkthrough? Watch our full video explanation here:
👉 https://youtu.be/4-IujdJyyI4
💙 Want to support our work AND get a high quality version of this infographic to print or save?
👉 https://buymeacoffee.com/trainmeplease/e/538085
Every calm choice gets stronger with practice. You've got this! 🐕💙
The game was created by Alice Tong (KPA CTP) of Choose Positive Dog Training, originally published on the Karen Pryor Clicker Training website back in 2014. It's become a staple of force-free reactivity training ever since! 🙌
