Lunging

Teaching Phase:

• Start by working on your dog's engagement with you in a non-stimulating environment. This means finding a place where there are few distractions and your dog is not likely to be triggered.
• Say your dog's name and reward them for making eye contact with you. You can also use a treat or toy to lure their attention to you.
• Gradually increase the distractions as you're working on your dog's engagement. This could mean taking them to a park or a busy street.
• When triggers for your dog are present, work on getting their engagement before the loading stage occurs. Loading is the stage where your dog starts to become aroused and focused on the trigger.
• If your dog begins loading, correct the beginning signs and then work towards getting their engagement back before the lunging actually occurs. This could mean giving them a command, such as "sit" or "stay", or taking them to a different location.
• If it is too late and your dog begins to lunge, correct them on leash and collar or e-collar and create some distance from the trigger. Then, slowly start working your dog back up to the trigger while keeping them under threshold.

Reinforcing Phase:

• Once your dog is consistently making eye contact with you and staying engaged with you in the presence of triggers, start to reward them more frequently.
• You can also start to add more distractions to your training sessions.
• The goal of this phase is to make sure that your dog is consistently responding to you and staying engaged with you, even in the presence of distractions.

Proofing Phase:

• Once your dog is consistently responding to you and staying engaged with you in a variety of distracting environments, you can start to proof their training.
• This means gradually increasing the intensity of the distractions that you expose your dog to.
• For example, you could start by taking them to a park where there are a lot of people and dogs. Then, you could move on to taking them to a busy street or a construction site.
• The goal of this phase is to make sure that your dog can still respond to you and stay engaged with you, even in the most distracting environments.

Maintenance Phase:

• Once your dog has successfully completed the teaching, reinforcing, and proofing phases, you should enter the maintenance phase.
• This phase is all about keeping your dog's training up to date.
• You should practice engagement exercises with your dog every day.
• You should also occasionally expose your dog to new and different distractions to make sure that their training is still solid.

Pet Parent Coaching Tips

• Be patient and consistent. It takes time and patience to address lunging. Don't get discouraged if you don't see results immediately.
• Be positive and rewarding. Use positive reinforcement training to teach your dog new behaviors and to modify unwanted behaviors.
• Don't punish your dog. Punishment will only make the behavior worse. Instead, focus on teaching your dog an alternative behavior.
• Seek professional help. If you're struggling to deal with your dog's lunging on your own, you may want to consult with a professional dog trainer or behaviorist. They can help you develop a customized plan to address your dog's specific needs.

Conclusion

Lunging is a common behavior in dogs, but it is one that can be addressed with patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement training. If your dog is lunging, don't give up! With the right approach, you can help your dog overcome this behavior and enjoy a more peaceful life.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: What is the difference between lunging and aggression? 
  A: Lunging and aggression are two different behaviors, but they can sometimes look similar. Lunging is a behavior in which a dog darts forward towards something, while aggression is a behavior in which a dog shows intent to harm another animal or person.
• Q: How can I tell if my dog is lunging out of aggression or overstimulation? 
  A: If your dog is lunging at another animal or person, it is likely that they are being aggressive. However, if your dog is lunging at something that they are excited about, such as a squirrel or a ball, it is more likely that they are being overstimulated.
• Q: What can I do if my dog lunges at me? 
  A: If your dog lunges at you, it is important to stay calm and to avoid making any sudden movements. You should also try to redirect your dog's attention onto something else, such as a toy or a treat. If your dog continues to lunge at you, you may need to seek professional help.