Management means changing the environment to help the dog be successful. This may mean changing routines, adding window coverings, changing your walking route or anything else that can help reduce the opportunities your dog has to rehearse their reactivity.

NO BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION CAN OCCUR IF THE DOG IS ALLOWED TO CONTINUE TO REHEARSE THE BEHAVIOR!

This means we must avoid the situations (triggers) that produce a reactive response while we are modifying his behavior. Period.

Avoiding exposure to the trigger(s) is only temporary while we teach him other skills to cope within their presence. If your dog is reactive on leash, for example, he is also rehearsing the behavior in the following ways:

• Barking/Lunging at visitors when they enter or when they move around your house
• Barking/Lunging at people/other dogs outside of their home (at windows or fence lines)
• Barking at people outside of the car (stationary or moving)

Management may include things like:

• Reducing visibility via window covers, curtains, calming cap, crate cover…
• Reducing noise via calming music, box fans, noise dampened “safe spaces” …
• Reducing access to areas via gates, leashes, doors…

If you are struggling with ideas, we can definitely help!