This week, with Linda away, Caroline tackles a common challenge many of you face: how our own anticipation can negatively impact our dog's behaviour on walks.
Today's episode focuses on a listener's submission about their dog's reactivity on walks and their own struggle with tensing up on the lead and anticipating negative encounters. Caroline explores how negative anticipation can create a stressful experience for both ends of the lead, and she offers practical tips to help you regain calm and connection before and during your walks.
Key Takeaways & Tips:
Recognise Negative Anticipation: Just as we anticipate positive events, we can also get stuck in a rut of anticipating negative outcomes on walks, leading to tension and stress for both you and your dog.
Mindset Before the Walk:
Be mindful of your mindset before even leaving the house. Are you approaching the walk as a joyless task?
If you feel tension building, step away from the immediate act of starting the walk. Unclip the lead or simply sit down with your dog for a moment.
Paced Breathing: Try box breathing (inhale 4, hold 4, exhale 4, hold 4) to bring yourself back to the present moment.
Sensory Reset: Use cold water on your wrists or a cold drink to help ground you.
Re-establish Connection:
Affectionate Touch: If your dog enjoys it, try stroking them to the rhythm of your paced breathing to build oxytocin.
Play: Engage in a few minutes of fun play with a favourite toy to shift energy.
Simple Training: Practice basic, fun exercises like hand targets or the "name game" (look at you, then chase a treat) to build focus and positive association.
During the Walk - Shifting Energy:
Lead Strokes: Instead of tensing, gently stroke the lead up and down, giving yourself a physical action to focus on.
Scatter Treats: Place treats on the ground to encourage sniffing, a natural displacement behaviour for dogs under stress.
Change Your Gaze: The most impactful tip! When you see a "trigger" (something that sparks a reaction in your dog), turn your body 45 degrees away and look at something else in the environment (a tree, a bench, etc.). Guide your dog's attention by moving your own energy away from the trigger. This helps you both move past the situation more calmly.
Get Involved!
We love hearing from you! If you're facing challenges with your dog and would like support on an upcoming episode, you can:
Email: caroline@barketplace.uk
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Thank you for tuning in and for your continued support!