BAT - Behavior Adjustment Training for dog aggression

Visit http://FunctionalRewards.com for more info. This is a sample session of BAT for dog aggression. Note there are no corrections, just a set-up where the dog can be successful, and rewarded with what she's already working for - distance from other dogs. We do 2 variations on BAT in this demo (one without food treats, one with).

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• BAT
• dog
• behavior
• aggression
• fear

[dessertthingy]

So what would you do if the dog doesn't want to increase the distance to the other dog, but decrease it? Then walking away isn't a reward...

[ahimsadog]

p.s. I have a whole chapter on this sort of thing in the book that's coming out in mid-2011.

[dessertthingy]

@ahimsadog what is the name of the book? I will keep an eye out for it:)

[ahimsadog]

@dessertthingy The book will be called BATting 1000 with subtitle about aggression, reactivity, fear, etc. If you google BAT and Grisha, you will get to my main BAT page. You can pre-order the book on that site. It will be out this summer or at the very latest, early fall.

[ahimsadog]

@dessertthingy The dog's response to walking away may look neutral, but it probably isn't. Walking away doesn't have the Yippee response of treats, but it's more naturally linked to the trigger. It becomes a way to self-soothe. When self-soothing is available to the dog, real confidence and trust grow. Learn more and try it. You won't really know how it works unless you try it, and since there is no emotional danger, it's worth trying out. You should see a solid trend after a few set-ups.

[ahimsadog]

@dessertthingy Why is your dog picking a fight? I suspect it's a way of telling the other dog to stay away permanently. So distance would be a reinforcer. Even for those kind of dogs, there seems to be some distance where you are close enough that the other dog is interesting, but far enough that walking away is a reinforcer. The cool thing is that they start to get a 'taste' for walking away from trouble.

[dessertthingy]

@ahimsadog I have a 10 month old who just wants to run up and pick a fight. I have been desensitising him using treats and keeping him below threshold, and he has gotten a lot better, but I just don't see how it would be rewarding to him to walk the other way? If we're so far away that he barely notices the other dog, walking away would be neutral. If we're close enough that he notices it he wants to get closer (but these days he looks to me for his treat instead)

[ahimsadog]

@dessertthingy BAT is all about using the consequence that the dog 'wants.' So if the dog is just a frustrated greeter who wants to go greet, I generally use one step closer as the reward (although sometimes even for frustrated greeters, walking away is a reward, which feels paradoxical). If a dog isn't able to turn away but is actually being aggressive or fear-reactive, then work further away, because there is some distance at which they can do the 'good' behavior and walking away is a reward.

[ahimsadog]

Hi Kim,

There are 3 BAT DVDs. I can't type a web address here, but google these three words: ahimsa bat grisha

If you're not a trainer, the best choice is the Organic Socialization DVD.

[watchmoivies123]

Hi! Can someone tell me what dvd's they mention in this you tube?

Thanks

Kim