Does your dog react to other dogs when on lead? Are you stressed whenever you see another dog while out walking, or just aren't sure what your dog will do?

This course will provide lots of background information on what may be driving your dog's behaviour, and how to help them. We will provide up-to-date theory as well as practical tools to get you started.

Topics covered include:

• canine learning theory - how dogs learn

• positive reinforcement - what it is, & how to incorporate into your everyday training

• reinforcement rates - how often to reward

• the problems with punishment - understanding the potential pitfalls, and providing alternates to drive behaviour change

• We introduce the concept of marker training, including how to introduce a marker to your dog & successfully use it in training.

• dominance theory - why "being the boss" is not part of the cause or treatment for these behaviours

• canine body language - students will be able to observe their dog's body language so as to understand the early signs of stress. Students will also be able to observe other dog's body language, to help understand underlying emotions.

• a tool kit to help - by the end of the course students will have practical steps to help their dog reduce their reactivity towards other dogs

Whilst the course focuses on other dogs, the methods can be applied to other triggers, such as cars, people, bikes & more.