Does your dog react on leash to exciting, scary, or unpredictable things? Anything from other dogs, people, squirrels, to skateboards, bicycles and more? Could you have a leash reactive dog?

Dog leash reactivity often looks like: barking, lunging, whining, spinning or generally seeming out of control.

If that sounds like your dog, you're in good company with the many dog owners whose dogs become "reactive dogs" in certain situations as they're walking on leash. To support your dog and help your dog overcome leash reactivity, we need to start with where your dog is coming from.

**plan-panel

What is a leash-reactive dog feeling?

When dogs are in a leash reactive state of mind they are often feeling frustrated, overexcited, afraid or a combination of all of these. Leash-reactive dogs are very often fearful dogs. For a leash-reactive dog, emotions take over and we as their humans can't communicate what we want. Instead we need to teach them how to have a more helpful, productive conversation with us.

"Look At That" training is a wonderful tool developed by Leslie McDevitt as a part of her Control Unleashed program and it's a way for us to have a positive, interactive conversation with our dogs. Our dogs tell us about the things they see, and we reinforce them for remaining cool and collected.

What you'll need to teach your reactive dog "look at that"

• A mat or blanket
• A clicker or verbal marker word that has been conditioned with your dog
• High value treats
• A neutral item your dog has no feelings about

Pro Tip: As always, only train under threshold, and distance is your friend!

If you'd like to watch me take you through these training steps with my dog, you can follow along with the accompanying video below. For most dogs, other dog owners usually say it makes your training sessions so much easier to see the training steps in action!

**follow-panel

7 training tips to teaching your reactive dog "look at that" in a safe space

Find a quiet, distraction-free spot in your home to teach this behavior to your reactive dog for solid learning. Learning doesn't happen in places like dog parks with the threatening surprises that can come with dogs off leash - the polar opposite of your safe space as an example of what you don't want.

Eventually when you and your dog own this cue and can translate it into a go-to skill when you encounter potential triggers like other dogs, you can use it out in the world on walks and in other experiences.

Try this in your training session:

1) Step one is to teach your dog to relax and lie on a mat.

Once you're good on that, you can begin to teach your dog "look at that." What you'll need: a mat (or blanket etc.), dog treats, and a small novel (new/unfamiliar to your dog) item. I'm using a tissue box but it can be anything that carries no emotional attachment with your dog.

2) Place item out of view.

3) Present item.

4) Click & reward with treats when your dog starts to orient toward the item.

5) Remove item.

Repeat these steps for 1-2 minutes so your dog solidly registers the positive association with looking at the thing and the treats.

6) Leave item in your dog's space and allow your dog to "tell" you about it naturally without prompting (look at it, shift body toward it, etc.), click and treat.

** This may take a few sessions of clicking and reinforcing with treats when the item is presented to create an association. Be patient.

7) Name it! Where's the toy, person, dog, etc? Click and reward your dog with treats when your dog shows you.

Don't rush or repeat waiting for your dog to respond. This step may take some time!

Note: Things we use when we play "look at that" are NOT things we interact with. There are other games or exercises to teach interaction with stressful triggers. This is to teach dogs to see and disengage with triggers by looking and then looking away.

Take your "look at that" training program to the next level

As your dog learns the game with a non-moving stimulus, you can start to teach your dog the game with people your dog knows and slowly work with other stimulus as long as your dog remains under threshold.

The mat allows your dog to have a safe place which means the scary thing NEVER approaches the mat or gets too close. If your dog can't look away when you click, move farther away or end the session.

**channel-panel

Our dog training goal

When dogs are able to look at, or sniff toward, or NOT look at something they find overwhelming without reacting and we reinforce that behavior, the behavior will be repeated! You're teaching your dog a new way to deal with the emotions they feel when your dog becomes reactive. Be patient and consistent, and soon your dog will be able to handle anything that comes their way!

Remember, we need to work under threshold, and for many leash reactive dogs, under threshold is usually a greater distance than we expect. Distance is your friend! Together, you can overcome leash reactivity and have a more peaceful walk experience.

"Look at that" is creating a conversation with your dog.

Think for a moment what a beautiful thing that is for both of you. Your dog will feel a new sense of agency and control, knowing he or she can communicate with you and you get it.

Your dog gets to tell you about possibly concerning, exciting, or mundane stimulus in your dog's environment. For both of you, it's a wonderful skill to have for leash reactivity (whether your dog is a young puppy or an adult dog) - and you're building the bond between you at the same time.

When reactive dogs can tell us and have positive associations with whatever the stimulus is, they are less likely to react in an undesirable way like barking and lunging.

**plan-panel

Continuing your progress with leash reactivity

Now that you and your dog have learned "look at that," you can both enjoy your walks with more confidence knowing you have this skill in your back pocket. Keep practicing and reinforcing, and you'll see amazing results in your reactive dog. Remember to always remain patient and consistent, and your dog will continue to make progress in their leash reactivity training.

Since dogs are unable to verbally communicate with us, it's crucial for us as pet owners to find other ways to understand and address our dogs' needs. By teaching our reactive dogs the "look at that" cue, we are not only helping them manage their leash reactivity, but also building a stronger bond with our dogs based on trust and communication.

Next time you're out on a walk with your reactive dog, remember to practice "look at that" and watch as your dog becomes more confident and relaxed in the face of triggers.

Next up in the Reactivity Channel on Dogly

Your new "look at that" training skills are one more great way to give your leash reactive dog better coping skills to live your best lives together. Check out the next guide for more training tips on how you can help your dog be more comfortable and confident on leash.

If you have any questions on "look at that," or other questions about leash reactivity and your dog, just ask us in our Community Discussion. Continue in our Reactivity Channel where you'll learn everything you need to know for your dog from our community of Dogly Training Advocates.

If you ever need more personalized dog training guidance, get started in your dog's training plan here.