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Module 5: Fear and Reactivity Barking
The dog who barks at strangers, other dogs, skateboards. Different rules entirely.
6 min read Intermediate
Course progress0%
Distance is the medicine
Find the distance at which the trigger is present but the dog can still take a treat. Stay there. Don't push closer until they relax.
Engage-disengage
Trigger appears → mark the look → treat. Repeat until the dog looks at the trigger then voluntarily looks at you. That's the foundation.
Why corrections fail
Punishing a fear bark teaches the dog the trigger predicts pain — making the fear worse, not better. Always counter-condition, never correct.
Key takeaways
- ★Work under threshold
- ★Engage-disengage protocol
- ★Never punish a fear bark
Lesson checklist
Action items to put this module into practice.
- Identify trigger distances
- Practice engage-disengage at home
- Plan low-trigger outings