Interrupt…then direct.

Interrupt... then direct.

"State of mind" and "Energy" are fuel for any given behavior.

If not controlled or kept in check, state of mind can quickly and easily escalate paving the way for reactions (as opposed to responses), poor choices, and inappropriate behaviors.

If not sufficiently depleted, energy will significantly intensify any reactions, poor choices, and inappropriate behaviors being practiced.

As you can see, the two feed off of one another.

We've written about state of mind and it's levels before (see "PackFit's 3 Elements of Dog Training: 2nd Element, State of Mind Conditioning"). There's, what we call, a "window of opportunity" when a dog starts to escalate, and our ability to "reach" them. To bring the escalation to a screeching halt, help it along a decline back to homeostasis, and offer instruction. A directive.

Most people wait until a dog's reaction has already hit its fullest expression before they address it, which makes it a fruitless, incredibly frustrating effort (only fueling the energy of the situation), instead of learning how to read the initial signs, cutting the escalation off at the pass, and not allowing the dog to reach that state of, what we call, "no man's land" (the unreachable headspace where the dog is disconnected from us, fully committed to the expression, and is very, very difficult to influence or reconnect with).

Interrupt... then direct.

Interrupt the rise, then direct the fall.

Interrupt and prevent the dog's state of mind from continuing on the incline, then give them a directive, instruction as their state of mind is on the decline. Addressing what we don't want, then following through with and reinforcing what we do want. N.B. This does not include "treats". Food tends to excite the brain in a lot of dogs, and if "excitement" (an escalated, overly aroused state of mind with varying degrees and dimensions) is what we're trying to prevent, then pathways (such as food) to excitement should be avoided in this process.

If we know our dogs and their "triggers", and understand how to communicate and disagree in a fair, respectful, and effective manner, then we have a better chance of managing their state of mind and preventing those embarrassing moments.

As we always say, "practice makes awesome", so breaking our overall goals into micro steps and working in layers, building upon small successes throughout, and exposing and leading our dogs *confidently* through what creates discomfort in them is key.

Interrupt... then direct. You got this.