"Look at That" Method for Dog's with Leash Reactivity

This method is adapted from the "Look at That" technique by Leslie McDevitt and is very helpful for training dogs with leash reactivity. 

Use this for anything in your dog's environment that overstimulates her with either excitement, fear, frustration or aggression. It could be a person, child, dog, car, bike, runner, squirrel, etc. The logic behind this method is that it teaches your dog that the thing that she was worried about or overexcited by is actually a cue to look at you and get a treat. This will calm the excited energy and help to shift the emotional reaction as well as pattern her to look to you for direction.  

To begin, make sure you have plenty of tasty treats like fresh meat and cheese mixed in with some blander treats. Pea sized is best and use a pouch for ease of access. Using a clicker as your reward marker is preferred but you could use the word "yes" instead if you wish to. 

Now let's get your dog on a leash and go out into the world! When you see the target (I'm going to use a person for this example), say "Where's the X (person)". Keep repeating that phrase until your dog happens to turn her head towards the person. When she turns her head towards the person, click your clicker (or say "yes") and feed a treat. If your dog spontaneously turns her head towards the person again, click (or say "yes") and feed another treat. If your dog does not turn back towards the person and the person is still in view, repeat saying "where's the person" as above.  

If your dog does not turn towards you after you have clicked or said "yes", then put the treat to her nose and move her towards you. Not turning back to you may either mean that your dog is new to this game or that your dog is too overexcited by the thing (person in this example). If you suspect that your dog is too overexcited then move away from the person and try again.  

If your dog is not responding to the treat or is barking/lunging at the person then you are too close. Move away and try again. 

Continue to practice this and over time you will find that your dog will become less reactive to things in her environment. My clients have had great success with this fun technique and I hope you do too!