If you dread going for walks with your dog because he or she lunges, barks, and pulls every time they see another dog or person, then this course was made for you!
My Name is Tyler Muto, and I am a dog trainer from Buffalo, NY who specializes in helping families overcome challenging behaviors with their dogs. I am very excited to bring you this course on leash reactivity as it is one of the most common behavior problems that I receive calls about.
This course will be tackling the specific issue of leash reactivity, which should be distinguished from dog-aggression in general. However, many of the principles and theories that we will be covering are related to aggression in general, and thus the information contained within this course will be valuable to anyone who works regularly with dogs.
Throughout the 10 modules of the course, we will be taking a very systematic approach to managing reactive behavior. When designing this course it was very important to me that we didn't just give quick fixes, but rather that each dog/handler team develop the skills, techniques, and understanding necessary to achieve lasting results. The course begins with a variety of foundation exercises which will help both the dog's and humans get comfortable with the various mechanics and skills that will be required of them later in the course. Then we will move into a theory portion of the course, which will help each student to better understand the motivation underlying their dogs' behavior, and how to work with those motivations rather than against them. Lastly, in the last half of the course we will be successively adding additional tools and skills to our practice until each team finds the approach that will work best for them.
The course outline is:
Module 1 | ||
Segment 1 | Introduction and Navigating the Course | |
Segment 2 | The Pace of the Course | |
Segment 3 | Understanding Leash Reactivity and it's Causes | |
Segment 4 | Terminology and Concepts | |
Segment 5 | Tools We Will Use | |
Segment 6 | Safety Considerations | |
Segment 7 | Preparing for Next Week | |
Segment 8 | Contact Info and Tutorial Videos | |
Module 2 | ||
Segment 1 | The Importance of Foundation Work | |
Segment 2 | Quick Note Before We Begin | |
Segment 3 | Reward Based Recall | |
Segment 4 | Attention Exercises | |
Segment 5 | Place Command Foundation | |
Segment 6 | Introduction of Prong Collar and Leash Work | |
Segment 7 | Management | |
Module 3 | ||
Segment 1 | Heel | |
Segment 2 | Doorways and Thresholds | |
Segment 3 | Place - Adding Pressure | |
Segment 4 | Recall - Adding Pressure | |
Module 4 | ||
Segment 1 | Cut-Off Cues | |
Segment 2 | Emotional Thresholds | |
Segment 3 | Functional Rewards | |
Segment 4 | Manufacturing Cut-Off Cues | |
Segment 5 | Early Set-Ups | |
Module 5 | ||
Segment 1 | When and Why We Use the Prong Collar | |
Segment 2 | Integrating the Prong Collar | |
Module 6 | ||
Segment 1 | Background Info and Resources | |
Segment 2 | Remote Collar Basics | |
Segment 3 | The Recall | |
Segment 4 | The Place Command | |
Segment 5 | Gambling | |
Module 7 | ||
Segment 1 | A Bit of Theory | |
Segment 2 | Key Elements of the Fire Drill | |
Segment 3 | Putting it Together | |
Module 8 | ||
Segment 1 | What Are Handler Confidence Drills | |
Segment 2 | The Humans | |
Segment 3 | The Process | |
Segment 4 | Demonstrations | |
Module 9 | ||
Segment 1 | Overview | |
Segment 2 | Pet Convincer | |
Segment 3 | The Bonk | |
Module 10 | ||
Segment 1 | Before and After | |
Segment 2 | Closing Remarks | |
TARGET AUDIENCE
The course focuses on reactive dogs, but the information within can be applied to all dogs in order to create a conflict-free, loose leash walking experience. Professional dog trainers who would like to implement new strategies with their more difficult client dogs will also benefit.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
Students should have a reliable computer and internet access, a canine training partner, a favorable food reward, a potential trainer partner with a dog (friend, family, or neighbor), access to neutral training environment, a 6' leash or slip lead, food or treats, and bait bag or training food pouch/pocket. Prong collars are option but recommended, and remote collars are optional,
MODULE 1: Welcome!
SEGMENT 1: Introductions and Navigating the Course
No summary available
SEGMENT 2: The Pace of the Course
No summary available
SEGMENT 3: Understanding Leash Reactivity and its Causes
No summary available
SEGMENT 4: Terminology and Concepts
No summary available
SEGMENT 5: Tools We Will Use
No summary available
SEGMENT 6: Safety Considerations
No summary available
SEGMENT 7: Preparing for Next Week
No summary available
SEGMENT 8: Contact Info and Tutorial Videos
No summary available
MODULE 2: Preliminary Work and Management
This week we will start developing the foundational skills needed to address our dogs' reactivity. We will be introducing our dogs to several obedience drills, the mechanics of which we will capitalize on later in out work.
SEGMENT 1: The Importance of Foundation Work
No summary available
SEGMENT 2: Quick Note Before We Begin
No summary available
SEGMENT 3: Reward Based Recall
No summary available
SEGMENT 4: Attention Exercises
No summary available
SEGMENT 5: Place Command Foundation
No summary available
SEGMENT 6: Introduction of Prong Collar and Leash Work
No summary available
SEGMENT 7: Management
No summary available
MODULE 3: Strengthening Relevant Obedience Free Preview
In this module we will be revisiting exercises from the last module. We will build off of leash pressure which will lead into a structured heel command. We’ll also talk about adding leash pressure (using the leash to manage the dog’s behavior) around doorways and thresholds, the place command, and the recall.
SEGMENT 1: Heel
No summary available
SEGMENT 2: Doorways and Thresholds
No summary available
SEGMENT 3: Place - Adding Pressure
No summary available
SEGMENT 4: Recall - Adding Pressure
No summary available
MODULE 4: Body Language and Functional Rewards
In this module we will be covering the nuts and bolts of theory on how we’ll be working around other dogs and people and how we’ll resolve the issues your dog is having.
SEGMENT 1: Cut-Off Cues
No summary available
SEGMENT 2: Emotional Thresholds
No summary available
SEGMENT 3: Functional Rewards
No summary available
SEGMENT 4: Manufacturing Cut-Off Cues
No summary available
SEGMENT 5: Early Set-Ups
No summary available
MODULE 5: Using the Prong During Set-Ups
In this module we will be discussing and demonstrating how we’ll be using the prong collar into the work that we’re doing as we encounter other dogs.
SEGMENT 1: When and Why We Use the Prong
No summary available
SEGMENT 2: Integrating the Prong Collar
No summary available
MODULE 6: The Remote Collar
In this module we’re going to begin using the electronic collar. We will be focusing on learning about the electronic collar and then introducing some simple exercises to get your dog acclimated to wearing the collar.
SEGMENT 1: Background Info and Resources
No summary available
SEGMENT 2: Remote Collar Basics
No summary available
SEGMENT 3: The Recall
No summary available
SEGMENT 4: The Place Command
No summary available
SEGMENT 5: Gambling
No summary available
MODULE 7: Applying the Remote Collar to the Work
The focus of this module will be on implementing the electronic collar into our work with reactivity.
SEGMENT 1: A Bit of Theory
No summary available
SEGMENT 2: Key Elements of the Fire Drill
No summary available
SEGMENT 3: Putting it Together
No summary available
MODULE 8: Handler Confidence Drills
This module will cover handler confidence drills which will help develop your dogs confidence in yourself. We want to make sure the dogs know that we are going to keep them safe.
SEGMENT 1: What are Handler Confidence Drills
No summary available
SEGMENT 2: The Humans
No summary available
SEGMENT 3: The Process
No summary available
SEGMENT 4: Demonstrations
No summary available
MODULE 9: The Role of Punishment
In this module we will be covering the role of punishment with addition of a few extra tools that will help if you're having problems with the punishment methods you have been using.
SEGMENT 1: Overview
No summary available
SEGMENT 2: Pet Convincer
No summary available
SEGMENT 3: The Bonk
No summary available
MODULE 10: Moving Forward
In this module we’ll point you in the right direction with training with your dog.
SEGMENT 1: Before and After
No summary available
SEGMENT 2: Closing Remarks
No summary available
"I really enjoyed the balance between text and videos throughout the course. All modules gave an in-debth approach for all methods and tools used, leaving very few things up to interpretation. I also enjoyed seeing both the instuctional videos of Tyler working the Leerburg dogs, as well as the clips from sessions at his facility. Only room for improvement would be faster responses in the discussion forum. Thanks!"
- Linnea on 10/17/2016
"The methods in the class exceeded my expectations and modules were put together very well and in the good order. The most useful part for me was the remote collar module which was completely new to me. Probably as most people I had some preconceive notions about remote collars and training with them. The module opened up my eyes to a different way of using them and recognizing them as a valuable tool in the dog training arsenal of tools. I wish that the module was more extensive but that just because I enjoyed it so much. Since this was a self-study class I am not sure if we should receive more responses to the questions in the discussions. That was the only part that I wish had more interaction from the stuff. But like I said this was a self-study so I am not sure if that was part of the class but I wish it was if possible. Thank you for an excellent class and the knowledge that will be really helpful to the work I do with the rescue/shelter dogs."
- Thomasz on 10/17/2016
"Absolutely wonderful class! I've watched most of Michael Ellis' DVDs, taken local classes, tried positive reinforcement (for 8 months), tried prong corrections (my soft dog was so unhappy), etc., but never got my dog to heel properly. Tyler's modules on "active release" and heeling really made the difference for me - now my 2 year old GSD is willing to walk nicely by my side!
As other people have probably mentioned, more information of how to handle a frustrated dog would be a very valuable addition.
Also, even though this is a self-study course, it would be valuable if Tyler could answer some of the discussion questions.
Thanks for a great class!"
- Hilda on 10/17/2016
"This was by far the comprehensive, easy to follow, and effective training on reactivity I have come across. This is also incredibly well priced and potentially more useful then thousands spent going to a physical trainer. Significantly more useful than going to a trainer who might be less familiar with how to manage reactivity correctly. I still think having a local trainer you trust and can work with is valuable. If your willing to put in the work, this training is ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐. Trainers and owners should all take this with or without having reactive dogs.
"
- buoy_is_a_frog [IG] on 09/15/2021