03/06/2026
Why positive reinforcement alone isn’t working for your reactive dog…
In the video, you can see the owner following all the steps they’ve been advised to take—playing the engage and disengage game, using high-value treats, keeping food close to their face to get their attention, and so on. But once the reward was given, Lydia, the Rottweiler Labrador mix, immediately went back to lunging, barking, and pulling. She was also the same with leash pulling, even when the triggers weren’t nearby. Why? Because she’s been labelled incorrectly, and the underlying issue hasn’t been addressed.
She’s frustrated, not aggressive! She really wants to interact and play but doesn’t know how. For her dogs, chasing things, ragging on toys, prey etc is what she finds motivating! So we’re using this to our advantage. But how?
- A charged marker system
- Food chase
- Leash pressure training (how to turn off pressure)
- Some fun! Playing around with her
- A clear guide to follow
She’s a pressure cooker about to blow… she needs outlets for her drive (she has bags of it), clarity, clear communication, guidance, and to be able to appropriately socialise. No amount of hot dogs, lickimatts, avoidance, and begging for her acknowledgement is going to cut it.
Lydia will be enrolled in our programme over the summer, and we’re really excited to see this girl flourish!
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