Our new section of Reactive Dog Class started this Wednesday and one of the topics Michelle and her coaches discussed in the overview of the course was quick fixes to help manage your dog’s reactivity. What can you do today to make life a little less stressful for your dog (and a lot quieter for yourself)?
(FYI, there are still 3 spots in December’s Reactive Dog Class if you want to sign up!)
Dog TV: View from the Picture Window
There are some dogs that enjoy lazily watching the world go by from their perch on the couch or by the sliding door. If you’re reading this article, your dog is probably not one of them.
Your dog sits, ears perked, tail stiff, eyebrows furrowed, waiting for the next target.
For a dog-reactive dog, that’s whatever dog dares take a walk down HIS street, right in front of HIS favorite potty spot.
For a people-reactive (or people-fearful) dog, that’s any human that comes into his field of vision.
The barking begins.
Why? Because barking works.
The image above is pretty darn close to how your dog thinks.
Something I dislike is too close for comfort + I bark and growl and lunge at it = It goes away.
If Dr. Phil were to ask your dog, “How’s that workin’ for ya?”, your dog would say, “Pretty darn well!”
A Quick & Beautiful Fix
The easiest way to prevent your dog from practicing reactive behavior at the window is to take away his view. You can buy decorative window film at your local Home Depot (in the blinds department), or pick some up on Amazon. It comes in many different designs, some that look like stained glass and others very subtle like frosted glass. The light still comes in and you and your dog can enjoy some privacy, peace, and quiet.
Application is easy: measure your pane of glass, cut the decal to fit, wash the glass with a little water & dish soap, and stick the decal into place. Press any air bubbles out with a credit card and you’re good to go! Since there’s no adhesive, removing it is quick and easy.
Does It Work?
The photo above is the living room of one of our students. She lives on a busy street near a bus stop, so there is lots of foot traffic just outside that window.
Before getting the window clings, her fearful dog would flip out every time someone walked by. Now she relaxes on the couch and only barks if someone is making a lot of noise.
Join Us For Class!
If you have a dog that barks and lunges at other dogs, we have 3 spots in December’s Reactive Dog Class. Our next section of Fearful Dog Class starts on October 12. Finally, for dogs who just need a tiny boost in their confidence, Confidence Building class begins in early November.