Anyone who's had a 'neighbourhood menace' will understand the desire to do whatever it takes to change the behaviour and help their dog. Buying a new tool is a quick approach to try something new, especially when we're desperate, and I did that early in my relationship with Piper with several harnesses, a gentle leader, and a variety of collars.
What I eventually realized is that it wasn't the tool that I needed, it was my approach that needed to change. We gave Piper an outlet for her natural working line shepherd drive. We adjusted to raw food, and maintained a regular routine, etc. All the while, I focused on careful exposure to the things that made her blow up. Eventually, she realized that cars, bikes, scooters, other dogs, and just about anything that moved, were ok and she could be neutral around them. Play was a big factor in helping her overcome her reactivity to the environment.
What people often miss is that it's not only the tool that solves the issue, but also a combination of training, management, proper tool use, and understanding canine behaviour.
It's important to note that like a halti, gentle lead, fur saver, prong, etc, the figure 8 slip lead works because it creates discomfort and the dog responds to avoid the discomfort. That's negative reinforcement in action.
If a tool is used effectively (as it's intended) with negative reinforcement, then we can use it as a training tool to teach the dog what not to do, and then what we want them to do. With negative reinforcement, we also combine positive reinforcement, so the dog pulls less (avoidance of discomfort) and walks nicely on the leash - a learned behaviour that is rewarding as well.
Hope this helps. I look forward to reading more of the Dog Snobs posts!!
Hey Karl, thank you for ALL this feedback! I felt like the figure 8 was the least invasive of all my options at the time. As you eluded, this didn't have to be a permanent thing for Dezi. She's still not bulletproof with leash lunging if it's another dog. I've just learned to give her a wide girth, hopefully in plenty of time.
One thing I prescribe for my clients is to find a dog park that's fenced. Instead of going inside the dog park, working on the opposite side of the fence is a great way to develop neutrality around other dogs. Working on engagement and play with you, as well as decompression just to watch the other dogs is a great practice for dogs that are reactive.
I've included a link to a video below. It isn't edited yet with a voiceover, but it's an example of what can be done with a dog that gets over excited or reactive around other dogs. The camera was on the fence, so you can see how close she got at times.
She hit the end of the leash 1 or 2 times, and blew off the toy a few times, but overall, this was an amazing increase in her ability to be close to other dogs.
So, what I’ve learned 3 dogs in, is just like kids different dogs need different strategies. It’s important to identify the source of reactivity. Our first rescue was characterized as reactive by the spca trainer, but it turned out he was just extremely high energy. Once we started taking him for off leash walks and to dog parks, his ‘reactivity’ on leash went away. Our second dog is anxious. She needed the gentle leader, and for us to prepare her ahead of time when we spotted a triggering situation. She’s never going to be a calm dog, but we see progress all the time. We did a lot of work where we would walk her past the fence of the dog park but not enter, so she could reduce her stress about being in close proximity to other dogs and humans. It also helped to continue playing sounds to her even past the exposure training window. Over time, she startles less and settles down faster when startled. It helps that we now live close to a 10 acre dog park where people are very forgiving of dog behaviour. Having people reach out to her even when she barks has increased her trust in strangers. Nowadays she rarely barks at people and dogs while on leash.
It was a long road to get her to where she is. I'm glad the gentle leader has been a great tool for you. Before Dezi, I knew nothing about all these fancy things because I'd always had chill dogs!
I was worried this was the same as a choke chain, like what I saw being used with that figure 8 once when I was a kid. According to google the slip lead figure 8 is a lot less harmful than the chain.
On another note, my mom used to use a rope to make a “slip lead figure 8” when she had to move calves or lambs around without dragging them.
My girl Gidget McFidget is 16 and mostly blind so she no longer reacts to things because she can't see them, but she used to be a menace. I've done the figure 8 on other dogs successfully, but she would crocodile roll. She learned how to get out of an escape proof harness. I used to walk her with one leash on her harness and the other on a martingale collar. Luckily she weighed 16 lbs and I could pick her up and turn my back until the other dog passed. But she was always ready for a dogfight.
Ugh, that's so tough. I've actually seen other dogs walking with that dual leash rig and wondered what it was for and why. It's hard having a reactive dog, I've shed my fair share of tears over it.
She is the most loving dog I've ever had. She began as my foster dog, but I kept her because she wasn't adoptable. I was able to keep her environmentally contained, partly because she is small. She has repaid me a thousand-fold with her loyalty, staying by my side when I was too sick to get out of bed.
I lucked out as far as reactivity on walks. But I had to do some pretty intense training with the puppy dog (he’s 5 1/2 now and will forever be the puppy dog) because of some bullying and aggression at home. Turned out, he felt really insecure and needed to learn he was actually taken care of! Training is actually just therapy for the dogs, I swear.
I think so, too lol. I also think training is mostly for training the human. How our dogs respond to life is based on how we (dog and human) handle it as a team. There's NO team I'd rather be a part of 💓
So the dog can eat treats in the slip lead? And will not need a harness? Our new rescue has declared vicious war on her harness, although she might do the same of the slip lead.
Yes she can function completely normally in this figure 8. It doesn't behave like a muzzle at all, more like a gentle leader. I found that once Dezi got used to it it immediately calmed her down as soon as I slipped it on her.
Try watching a few videos to see how trainers use it.
I have never had anyone explain a figure-8 before,,nor have I ever seen one on a dog. I've seen plenty of people put a slip lead around the throat and walk a dog like that. Yikes! I love this idea!.
I'd never seen it either!! I did use the slip lead around her neck a few times as well. It also offered a bit of protection from her lunging because it tightens (but doesn't hurt like a prong collar would)
I don't really like pet owners describing themselves as "parents" of their pets- it devalues the pet's actual mother and father and implies with women that they gave birth to the dog (which is nonsense).
Thanks for the post, Kristi.
Anyone who's had a 'neighbourhood menace' will understand the desire to do whatever it takes to change the behaviour and help their dog. Buying a new tool is a quick approach to try something new, especially when we're desperate, and I did that early in my relationship with Piper with several harnesses, a gentle leader, and a variety of collars.
What I eventually realized is that it wasn't the tool that I needed, it was my approach that needed to change. We gave Piper an outlet for her natural working line shepherd drive. We adjusted to raw food, and maintained a regular routine, etc. All the while, I focused on careful exposure to the things that made her blow up. Eventually, she realized that cars, bikes, scooters, other dogs, and just about anything that moved, were ok and she could be neutral around them. Play was a big factor in helping her overcome her reactivity to the environment.
What people often miss is that it's not only the tool that solves the issue, but also a combination of training, management, proper tool use, and understanding canine behaviour.
It's important to note that like a halti, gentle lead, fur saver, prong, etc, the figure 8 slip lead works because it creates discomfort and the dog responds to avoid the discomfort. That's negative reinforcement in action.
If a tool is used effectively (as it's intended) with negative reinforcement, then we can use it as a training tool to teach the dog what not to do, and then what we want them to do. With negative reinforcement, we also combine positive reinforcement, so the dog pulls less (avoidance of discomfort) and walks nicely on the leash - a learned behaviour that is rewarding as well.
Hope this helps. I look forward to reading more of the Dog Snobs posts!!
Karl
Hey Karl, thank you for ALL this feedback! I felt like the figure 8 was the least invasive of all my options at the time. As you eluded, this didn't have to be a permanent thing for Dezi. She's still not bulletproof with leash lunging if it's another dog. I've just learned to give her a wide girth, hopefully in plenty of time.
One thing I prescribe for my clients is to find a dog park that's fenced. Instead of going inside the dog park, working on the opposite side of the fence is a great way to develop neutrality around other dogs. Working on engagement and play with you, as well as decompression just to watch the other dogs is a great practice for dogs that are reactive.
I've included a link to a video below. It isn't edited yet with a voiceover, but it's an example of what can be done with a dog that gets over excited or reactive around other dogs. The camera was on the fence, so you can see how close she got at times.
She hit the end of the leash 1 or 2 times, and blew off the toy a few times, but overall, this was an amazing increase in her ability to be close to other dogs.
https://youtu.be/nNGzc7bFawg
So, what I’ve learned 3 dogs in, is just like kids different dogs need different strategies. It’s important to identify the source of reactivity. Our first rescue was characterized as reactive by the spca trainer, but it turned out he was just extremely high energy. Once we started taking him for off leash walks and to dog parks, his ‘reactivity’ on leash went away. Our second dog is anxious. She needed the gentle leader, and for us to prepare her ahead of time when we spotted a triggering situation. She’s never going to be a calm dog, but we see progress all the time. We did a lot of work where we would walk her past the fence of the dog park but not enter, so she could reduce her stress about being in close proximity to other dogs and humans. It also helped to continue playing sounds to her even past the exposure training window. Over time, she startles less and settles down faster when startled. It helps that we now live close to a 10 acre dog park where people are very forgiving of dog behaviour. Having people reach out to her even when she barks has increased her trust in strangers. Nowadays she rarely barks at people and dogs while on leash.
I can’t imagine Dezi being anything other than the perfect sweetie.
We’ve always used a gentle lead. Apollo won’t pull my arm out of its socket with the gentle lead. Hehe.
It was a long road to get her to where she is. I'm glad the gentle leader has been a great tool for you. Before Dezi, I knew nothing about all these fancy things because I'd always had chill dogs!
And more puppy inventions keep popping up.
I was worried this was the same as a choke chain, like what I saw being used with that figure 8 once when I was a kid. According to google the slip lead figure 8 is a lot less harmful than the chain.
On another note, my mom used to use a rope to make a “slip lead figure 8” when she had to move calves or lambs around without dragging them.
Omg I remember choke chains from when I was a kid. It's crazy people still use those 😳
I used to use a similar slip halter when I rode my horse bareback from the field to the stable. Country folk have some pretty cool tools!
My girl Gidget McFidget is 16 and mostly blind so she no longer reacts to things because she can't see them, but she used to be a menace. I've done the figure 8 on other dogs successfully, but she would crocodile roll. She learned how to get out of an escape proof harness. I used to walk her with one leash on her harness and the other on a martingale collar. Luckily she weighed 16 lbs and I could pick her up and turn my back until the other dog passed. But she was always ready for a dogfight.
Ugh, that's so tough. I've actually seen other dogs walking with that dual leash rig and wondered what it was for and why. It's hard having a reactive dog, I've shed my fair share of tears over it.
She is the most loving dog I've ever had. She began as my foster dog, but I kept her because she wasn't adoptable. I was able to keep her environmentally contained, partly because she is small. She has repaid me a thousand-fold with her loyalty, staying by my side when I was too sick to get out of bed.
I love her already!
I lucked out as far as reactivity on walks. But I had to do some pretty intense training with the puppy dog (he’s 5 1/2 now and will forever be the puppy dog) because of some bullying and aggression at home. Turned out, he felt really insecure and needed to learn he was actually taken care of! Training is actually just therapy for the dogs, I swear.
I think so, too lol. I also think training is mostly for training the human. How our dogs respond to life is based on how we (dog and human) handle it as a team. There's NO team I'd rather be a part of 💓
Holy cow I’ve never seen this before. We have two very reactive dogs. Definitely going to give it a try!!
I hope it's as much of a game changer for you!
So the dog can eat treats in the slip lead? And will not need a harness? Our new rescue has declared vicious war on her harness, although she might do the same of the slip lead.
Yes she can function completely normally in this figure 8. It doesn't behave like a muzzle at all, more like a gentle leader. I found that once Dezi got used to it it immediately calmed her down as soon as I slipped it on her.
Try watching a few videos to see how trainers use it.
I have never had anyone explain a figure-8 before,,nor have I ever seen one on a dog. I've seen plenty of people put a slip lead around the throat and walk a dog like that. Yikes! I love this idea!.
I'd never seen it either!! I did use the slip lead around her neck a few times as well. It also offered a bit of protection from her lunging because it tightens (but doesn't hurt like a prong collar would)
I don't really like pet owners describing themselves as "parents" of their pets- it devalues the pet's actual mother and father and implies with women that they gave birth to the dog (which is nonsense).
I suppose you could look at it that way if you want to go deep with it.
But we're basically doing the same thing as real parents: teaching, feeding,cleaning, guiding, loving, finding sitters, etc.
In other words: raising them.
Yes, the job we took away from their real mothers by adopting them.
Yep.
I used to say, with affection, that Casey's mom was a bitch in Ohio. But we'll never win this one.
Probably not in our lifetimes…