tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1101438868458660054.post4666016164623856978..comments2024-03-04T06:54:50.622-06:00Comments on Reactive Champion: What's in a Word?Crystal (Thompson) Barrerahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01738188430244886019noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1101438868458660054.post-75296546997277721742010-07-30T21:23:07.232-05:002010-07-30T21:23:07.232-05:00I think anxiety is a key feature of reactivity. I ...I think anxiety is a key feature of reactivity. I think that maybe you can substitute words like fear or stress in place of it though... But then, I'm not really sure about the differences between anxiety, fear, and stress. They're all very similar to me.Crystal (Thompson) Barrerahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01738188430244886019noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1101438868458660054.post-58988447292671191332010-07-30T21:14:30.450-05:002010-07-30T21:14:30.450-05:00"When I finally understood that Maisy's r..."When I finally understood that Maisy's reactive behavior wasn't because she was acting naughty or being bad, but because she was feeling anxious, it allowed me to have a lot more empathy for her, and set me on a training path that has ultimately helped her. "<br /><br />That's exactly why I think that the word anxiety is so important! People are familiar with the term "anxiety" - they recognize it in people.. as a behavior that a person can't really control, and might need help overcoming. To people who have never dealt with fear/aggression/etc. in their dogs, "reactive" might not mean a whole lot.. but perhaps "anxious" will make them think a little bit more about what the dog is actually feeling, instead of just focusing on the behaviors that are surfacing.<br /><br />Just another thought of mine.. :)Samhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18146649374510678844noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1101438868458660054.post-51673850197920170322010-07-30T12:27:57.143-05:002010-07-30T12:27:57.143-05:00Michelle, that's a very thought-provoking comm...Michelle, that's a very thought-provoking comment. Although I'm not sure what about the label "reactive" saddens you, I think I understand your point. Labels can be harmful. I think sometimes labels are used as justification for inhumane training practices, abuse, or even euthanization. It can also be used to blame the dog, even if the handler was at fault, or as an excuse to not train the dog appropriately.<br /><br />But I also think they can be helpful. They certainly provide convenient short-hand for communication, although I do think that some of our labels- like "reactive"- aren't defined well enough. Still, they do provide a starting point for understanding, if we're willing to learn. <br /><br />When I finally understood that Maisy's reactive behavior wasn't because she was acting naughty or being bad, but because she was feeling anxious, it allowed me to have a lot more empathy for her, and set me on a training path that has ultimately helped her. It's also served as a reminder to honor her needs. Would I do that without a label? Certainly, but it does make it easier to explain to people at trials why I need to scratch entries for my seemingly normal dog.<br /><br />It is my goal with this blog to help people understand reactive behavior in general by sharing Maisy's story. When people use the term "reactive," I hope to help bring that empathy and understanding, rather than blame and mistreatment. <br /><br />Thank you for your comment. I love it when people make me think! :)Crystal (Thompson) Barrerahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01738188430244886019noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1101438868458660054.post-69695457976710826952010-07-30T10:49:01.388-05:002010-07-30T10:49:01.388-05:00It always saddens me to label dogs as "reacti...It always saddens me to label dogs as "reactive," "aggressive," "dominant," or any other derogatory label. It's even sadder when I read about a person who has managed their dog well in a trial situation by keeping the dog in the car and away from other dogs to keep their stress levels reduced and allows the team to function well, and there is another person who thinks that that management is wrong. Sad and nieve of the person making such a judgement. Every dog is an individual. Every dog needs different tools to help the team function better so they can perform their best. Kudos to the human side of the team for recognizing and understanding that. It makes no difference to me if the dog is "reactive" when stressed or "shuts down" and goes inward when stressed. The result is the same- team is not functioning to their full potential. They are missing a tool to manage the situation. For some dogs, the trial situation will never be something they enjoy and the amount of tools required to keep the team functioning will be too many to be able to use effectively in that atmosphere. For others, the tools give them a level of security that allows them to grow and use less and less tools to function well together. No one can know what kind of dog they have initially and no one can predict how the team will evolve. It's hard not to make snap judgements when witnessing extreme behaviors, and by "extreme" I mean cardinal sins like going so far over the threshold that direct contact or biting is involved. For those situations I do draw a line and say no more showing- too dangerous for all concerned. Yet, "snarks" are warnings and not action in my opinion. Dog/team may be done for the moment, day or week, but use more/different tools and manage the situation better and it may get better. <br />So, really, I will label a single behavior as reactive, but the dog- nope. It's no different than calling someone "grumpy." They may be grumpy at that moment, but we all know they do not stay grumpy forever. Can we ban grumpy people from shows? <br /><br />MichelleAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1101438868458660054.post-83422167378467830722010-07-29T23:53:11.454-05:002010-07-29T23:53:11.454-05:00Part of my definition of a reactive dog is one who...Part of my definition of a reactive dog is one who's threshold for stimulus is lower than normal. I think anxiety is a big part of it too, because not only is the environment overwhelming, the dog is anxious about it and over reacts.<br /><br />If you're in New York City for the first time, you might be overwhelmed by all the people and lights and STUFF, but you can still read a map and find your way to Broadway. But if you're worried about being mugged, run over by a taxi, and being crushed by scaffolding, it's going to be a challenge to OPEN the map and you're likely to lash out if someone stops to help you. <br /><br />I don't think reactivity is "curable." Treatable has a more accurate connotation to me. I think there are ways to raise a dog's threshold and give him tools to manage his reactions, but especially the longer the reactivity is allowed to be practiced there's always a chance to fall back on that behavior of bark-growl-lunge when the dog goes over threshold. <br /><br />reactive vs. green and inexperienced vs. excitable and over-the-top<br /><br />I don't think green and inexperienced falls under the cloud of reactivity. I think a handler who does the trainer equivalent of throwing the dog in the deep end can CAUSE reactivity, but generally a young dog isn't reactive because of his inexperience. A dog can be young and reactive, of course.<br /><br />I'm less sure about the line between reactive and excitable. Gatsby's reactivity has a very strong component of excitement involved. He wants to sniff this, greet that, play over there, and he wants to do it now now now fast fast fast. That's why I like the word reactivity to describe him, because even though he's throwing a holy hell of a fit, it's NOT aggression. It's overstimulation and his little Schnauzer brain just can't process it any more.Raeganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04993187206192547252noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1101438868458660054.post-92172492547535900902010-07-29T19:44:07.603-05:002010-07-29T19:44:07.603-05:00This reminds me of a time once on a dog forum when...This reminds me of a time once on a dog forum when someone criticized me for using the word "shy" in place of "fearful." I coughed it all up to semantics, but he saw a true difference in what it meant to be a "shy" dog and what it meant to be a "fearful" dog.<br /><br />I guess I don't really know what my definition of a reactive dog would be. When I talk about reactivity to others, I make it a point to use the word "anxiety" as well. If people view reactivity as simply barking and growling, they're going to get the wrong idea about it. Even in the case of dogs who react because they're excited (in a good way) to see another dog/person, I think anxiety is a good word to use.Samhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18146649374510678844noreply@blogger.com