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Use Clicker Training for Dogs Who Are Aggressive Towards Horses
By Dog Lover | November 25, 2009
A technique used to train dogs to stop barking, chasing, or biting horses is one of clicker training.There are a few main reasons why dogs bother horses. Some dogs simply think it’s FUN to chase horses.Since the act of chasing the horse is so rewarding, it may be harder to train these dogs to be kind to horses.
When you have a dog who is chasing horses for the fun, you’ll want to consider installing a fence or trolleys system to contain your dog.
But most of the time a dog bothers a horse out of fear , or some type of aggression.Clicker training, luckily for us, can be a phenomenal tool for getting rid of fear and aggression in dogs.
Counter Conditioning is one of the most effective clicker training techniques for getting rid of aggression.The technique of Counter Conditioning gives a dog a hi-value reward, while simultaneously letting the dog experience something that bothers him.
When experiencing something that only slightly bothers him, a dog’s aggression will go away if given a hi-value reward. To use this method start by finding your dog’s tolerance threshold. Put your pooch on a leash and slowly walk towards a horse.Your dog’s body language should be closely monitored.If your pooch starts showing signs of aggression towards the horse, stop.You will start the training at this point.
Knowing how close you can get to a horse before your dog gets upset will help you determine when it is time to start the training.Let’s say, as an example, that your dog becomes agitated when he comes within 50 feet of a horse.With our dog on a leash, throughout the day, we would slowly walk up to 50 feet away and give him a treat the moment he begins getting bothered.
Do this about 10 times a day, or more, until your dog begins reacting differently.You should eventually start noticing that your pooch no longer focuses on the horse, as you take him to within 50 feet from the horse. Instead you’ll notice him start to look to you for a treat.
When your dog is behaving this way, you’ve successfully changed his emotional reaction to horses at 50 feet!The time has now come to make it harder.When you are able to walk your dog to within 50 feet of the horse without growling, at least 10 times, try walking to within 40 feet and repeat the training.
You should continue repeating the training procedure until you are able to walk within a few feet of the horse without it bothering your dog.You should be able to train your dog to stop aggressiveness towards horses by staying consistent and not pushing your dog past his aggression threshold.
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