BH265: Strategies for Training and Competing the Sensitive Dog

This class provides information for those working with dogs that perform the following behaviors in training, in competition, or in specific situations: slowing, hesitating, freezing, losing focus, appearing “disinterested”, becoming unresponsive to handler cues, performing displacement behaviors (e.g. sniffing, scratching, self-grooming), becoming avoidant (e.g. looking away), appearing "stressed", or performing escape behaviors (e.g. zoomies, "visiting" ring crew, or leaving the training area).

During the usual learning process our dogs experience moments of frustration and confusion. Typical dogs do not have any long-term problem with this; in most instances low level frustration simply serves its purpose of pushing our dog to find a solution to the training problem. This success then improves our dog’s resilience for future similar challenges.

"Sensitive" dogs however, do not respond in the same way, for these dogs any amount of frustration and confusion is extremely aversive; experiencing even miniscule levels of frustration, confusion, concern, or discomfort (physical or psychological) can result in almost immediate displays of avoidance and escape behaviors. We may see stalling, looking away, appearing “disinterested”, moving slowly, becoming unresponsive, or performing any avoidance, escape, appeasement, or displacement behaviors. In some dogs these behaviors will even be expressed purely in response to the concern associated with novelty (i.e. new environments / new situations).

Experiencing these “unpleasant” feelings in training, or whilst performing a certain task (e.g. retrieve, weave poles, heeling, etc.), or when working in a certain environment (e.g. the competition ring), tends to not only affect a sensitive dog’s behavior at that time, but often goes on to affect future behavior in similar situations. This ultimately can result in dogs shutting down, becoming avoidant, or displaying displacement behaviors at the very start of a training session, or as soon as they notice specific equipment (e.g. dumbbell, weave poles, rally signs, ring gates, etc.). Alternatively, instead of displaying an apparent reduction in movement/energy, some dogs respond to these feelings by demonstrating active appeasement behaviors (eg jumping up at the handler), or escape-based behaviors (e.g. running away from the handler, running off to "visit" other dogs/people, or performing zoomies as soon as the leash is removed or as the perceived "pressure" increases mid-competition).

Beyond sensitivity to "pressure", some sensitive dogs also have an over-active defense system, resulting in them feeling threatened and uncomfortable in situations where objectively we know they are safe. Much like the behavioral inhibition system, the defense system is also responsible for generating freeze behaviors, as well as flight (escape) responses. Hence, learning associated with the activation of the defense system can also result in avoidance behaviors in future similar situations. It can also generate anxiety-based behaviors such as hypervigilance, and lack of handler focus.

The responses displayed by sensitive dogs are driven by a vast array of underlying emotions and contributing factors. In this class we discuss many of these. We also look at specific ways that we can adapt our training to suit the needs of these dogs.

In this class, the Gold students will work through their dog’s issues on a one-to-one basis with Sharon. Although exercises will be released each week, the Gold students will not necessarily follow this list in order. Instead, Sharon will be working with each team on their specific issues. Whether that is environmental pressure, training pressure, spatial pressure, or specific “poisoned” environments or exercises.

This class will be beneficial for anyone looking to understand sensitive dogs, and/or wanting to expand their current training strategies to include various techniques more suited to the sensitive learner.

This class is not sport specific; the content of this class is applicable to every different dog sport. Typically, when we run this class obedience, rally, nosework, and agility are represented in the working spots, but it is not uncommon to see a range of other sports represented as well. Sharon has extensive experience helping sensitive dogs in many sports as well as dogs in working roles and can adapt the training to suit any specific exercise or issue. The issues may range from subtle changes in focus or slight inaccuracies in a competition setting, through to dogs showing significant escape or avoidance behaviors associated with training in general, or any specific exercise or environment.

The GOLD spots will be best suited to: 

• Dogs that are currently competing, but struggling with consistency, or having issues with specific exercises.
• Dogs that have competed previously but struggled. 
• Dogs that have competition skills in place, but sensitivity issues are currently blocking the start of their competition career.

(5.5 CPDT-KA CEUs are available for bronze, silver, and gold level students in this class.)  

Teaching Approach

Lectures will be released in two blocks per week: one at the start of the week and one mid-week. The bulk of the written content will be released in the first half of the class to allow students to incorporate the information into their training as quickly as possible. There will be at least one practical exercise introduced weekly, with lots of flexibility for Gold students to progress through the work at their own pace, selecting the exercises that most suit their dog, and their end goals.

All students are encouraged to follow along with the Gold and Silver students’ forums to get the most benefit from this class. This is where you will see the strategies applied in a real-life setting, with appropriate adjustments made as required, to suit the needs of each individual dog and handler.

This class is heavily focused on providing increased understanding of sensitive dogs and why they perform the behaviors they do. Much of the learning is concept based, with full opportunity for in-depth discussion for all students on the class Facebook page.  

The content of this class is presented in written form, with the occasional diagram or chart to support the written information. Practical exercises may be supported with short video demonstrations. These may include audio voice-over but are always supported with a detailed written description.

There is a lot of written material provided in this class; some students prefer to use a PDF reader or similar in order to have the content read to them.

The need for access to various locations will be entirely dependent on your individual dog’s issues. Many of the exercises do not require much space, but for most dog’s it will be ideal to be able to access other environments (e.g. a park, a training facility, or similar) at least a few times during the class. For Gold students, Sharon will be working with each of you individually, to ensure progression occurs at a pace that is appropriate for your team, with lots of flexibility to tailor the exact approach to you, your dog, and you circumstance.  

Sharon’s approach is very practical and flexible. Her aim when teaching is to help people understand why their dog is performing the current behaviors. Using this approach, students can ultimately develop the ability to think through a behavior issue independently and generate a selection of potentially effective solutions. The ability to analyze and problem solve, also gives students the tools to be successful with future dogs and unrelated behavior issues. Students’ typically say that their increased understanding of the existing behaviors, significantly improves their relationship with their dog, and reduces their own feelings of frustration.

Instructor: Sharon Carroll

Sharon (she/her) has been a professional animal trainer for 30 years. She has been both a presenter and trainer in a range of animal shows, and currently operates, a dog training and behaviour consulting business based in Newcastle, Australia. (Click here for full bio and to view Sharon's upcoming courses.)