Often, people misinterpret recommendations of \u201cmanagement\u201d<\/strong><\/strong><\/em> to mean it\u2019s all that is needed to resolve a behavior problem.<\/p>\n

Management is not a solution so much as it is one of several additional support options dog owners may decide to implement, especially during the behavior modification process.<\/p>\n

Management is, essentially, avoiding situations where the undesired behavior might occur.<\/strong><\/strong><\/em> <\/p>\n

However, if reactivity is a result of learning history, it’s best to also implement a positive behavior modification program to help the dog relearn more positive associations.<\/p>\n

This more complete process may also be more humane in that by changing associations, we assume feelings are changed as well. We all want our dogs to feel good, not bad.<\/strong><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Generally, we look at the options for behavior resolution starting with the most humane, least stressful option for the dog.<\/span><\/strong><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

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The order is typically:<\/p>\n

1) Health <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n

2) Antecedent Arrangement (sometimes also considered management though this isn\u2019t always the same thing), and <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n

3) Training & Behavior Modification Protocols<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n

1) Health<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n

1) A dog who suddenly and without any identifiable trigger becomes reactive or develops other behavior issues might be ill or in pain; physical discomfort is a common reason that a dog might suddenly change behavior.<\/p>\n

Such discomfort may also be the root of some behavior changes that occur over time, such as what can happen during the progression of canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome. <\/strong><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

2) Antecedent Arrangement<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n

2) If your dog has been recently vetted and found healthy, and no injurious incidents have occurred since then, unless a second opinion seems in order, begin with antecedent &\/or consequence rearrangement.<\/p>\n

An antecedent is something that comes just before the target behavior occurs and is related to the behavior.<\/strong><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

For example, if every time someone in your home slams a door, your dog immediately goes on a barking spree, the antecedent to the barking spree is probably the door slam.<\/p>\n

If you make a new house rule that no door shall be slammed for any reason, and your dog was indeed reacting to the slam, then your dog\u2019s barking spree, at least in that context, may be resolved by changing the antecedent.<\/span><\/strong><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

No slam, no barking spree.<\/span><\/p>\n

For our purposes here, an antecedent is someone or something that appears or occurs in the environment, just before the dog performs the undesired behavior.<\/p>\n

Therefore, think of antecedent rearrangement as a sort of behavior modification for the dog\u2019s humans.<\/strong><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

It’s not just our dogs that need their behavior modified in order for us to have a happier life together!<\/p>\n

If your response to the door-slam-inspired barking spree has previously been to go over and pick up your dog, and your dog enjoys being picked up, then your doing so is a consequence to barking that may also be contributing<\/span> to the continued barking sprees.<\/strong><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

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In this example, however, you would not just stop picking up your dog\u2014one, because the dog would still be suffering the distress of the door slam and resultant barking spree, and two, because it\u2019s good to help your dog feel better when scared or distressed.<\/p>\n

Instead, simply changing the antecedent <\/strong><\/strong><\/em>can reduce the undesired behavior and the distress. (In a different type of case, say your dog begins barking before every meal time, you might decide to change both antecedent and consequence, since this barking is probably what is commonly called \u2018demand\u2019<\/strong><\/strong><\/em> barking, not barking out of fear or distress.<\/p>\n

If you already know what the antecedent is and it is something within your ability to change, you may be able handle the situation yourself, without professional assistance.<\/strong><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

3) Training & Behavior Modification Protocols<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n

3) If antecedent changes do not help or are not possible,<\/strong><\/strong><\/em> then your next option is positive training and behavior modification.<\/p>\n

For this it is important to work directly with a credentialed, anti-aversives training and behavior professional such as a certified behavior consultant, typically a CBCC-KA or CDBC.<\/strong><\/strong><\/em> <\/p>\n

Remember to confirm anti-aversives policy and practice with your candidate before hiring her.<\/p>\n

If your dog\u2019s reactivity poses a possible safety risk to you or anyone else, human or non-human, it’s imperative that you hire such a professional.<\/span><\/strong><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

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Being pulled down a hill by your leashed dog, having a finger broken by a suddenly taut leash, or having someone else be hurt, leading to a lawsuit, would be more expensive to you than hiring an anti-aversives professional.<\/strong><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Behavior modification will involve operant training and desensitization with operant counterconditioning and\/or classical counterconditioning.<\/p>\n

One operant procedure that can provide great classical counterconditioning effects at the same time is a procedure in which the person handling the dog marks and reinforces (with high value food items) the dog for simply noticing a trigger without \u201creacting.\u201d<\/strong><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Over time this can help the reactive dog by teaching her that the trigger predicts something yummy; in other words, it changes the association she has with the currently triggering stimuli.<\/strong><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Again, please do not attempt this without first having a professional teach you the details in person.<\/p>\n

In order to begin the process, your behavior consultant will teach you how to practice in non-triggering situations and very small increments of progress over time.<\/strong><\/strong><\/em> <\/p>\n

She also will help you develop a solid understanding of canine body language as well as keen observation skills, proper handling skills, and proper timing.<\/p>\n

For most people, this is too much to attempt without professional guidance.<\/strong><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Ask your behavior consultant to explain the necessary skills and procedures to you and to perform the procedure while you observe, at least at first.<\/p>\n

Then you can decide when you are ready to have her observe and coach you while you implement the procedure, and then together you can decide when you are ready to continue on without her.<\/p>\n

Although for a few people it might be better to have your behavior consultant handle the procedure completely on her own, generally this is not recommended because you will need to become proficient in this and other skills in order to maintain progress and to be able to apply the procedures to any future issues that arise.<\/strong><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

There are various other counterconditioning and training methods that can help but it\u2019s important to be sure you obtain complete, careful instruction from a professional before you attempt these, because even something as simple as when to reach for the treat can affect your results.<\/strong><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

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You will notice that nowhere in this article are recommendations for corrections, punishments, or negative reinforcement; <\/strong><\/strong><\/em>that\u2019s because all of those things would add to the negative associations your dog already carries regarding a trigger, or, if your dog is simply one of those selected for the target behavior, you might inadvertently create a new negative association.<\/p>\n