Joanne Drysdale BSc Dog Behaviour Clinic & Edinburgh Dog Training

Reactive Rovers is a special class for dogs who have issues with other dogs. It is aimed at dogs who need controlled environments that will allow them to relax and learn to be around dogs without reacting by barking, growling, lunging etc. Training dogs outdoors can be difficult as you cannot always predict when you might see another dog or a dog might come charging up to your dog and upset them. Other owners might not realise they should call their dogs back to them when they see your on lead dog being kept out of their path. Or some owners might even say something along the lines of 'its okay, my dog is friendly', not understanding your dog wants to be left alone. There are so many dogs needing specialised help with a dog-dog issue and very few places across the UK that can offer special classes. Normal training classes are usually not suitable as the dogs are either placed under too much pressure and so kick off or become completely helpless and shut down. Trainers with poor knowledge on behaviour can make the issues even worse if they advise you to use outdated harmful methods such as using water sprays or rattle bottles. Neither of these are fair on the dog and it will not help them in the long term. It takes a delicate balance of dogs to ensure all the dogs can cope with being in an enclosed indoor environment around other dogs.

Reactive Rovers classes will have a maximum of 5 dogs. All classes will be run by Joanne, a qualified behaviourist. Up to date humane scientific methods will be used to teach the dogs that good things happen when other dogs are around and that keeping calm is a better choice than kicking off. There will be no forms of punishment, force or coercion used as they do not change underlying emotional problems. The class may suit those who have possibly seen a behaviourist already and need a controlled environment to work in. It will be very useful for some of Joanne's own behaviour clients who often find trying to train out in the real world very difficult as the other dogs cannot usually be predictable.

The general principle being used will be desensitisation and counter conditioning which basically means to make the dog less bothered about other dogs and happier to get closer to them. There are several different ways of accomplishing this and it depends on the dog, the owner and their lifestyle as to what will work best. Emergency strategies are also taught such as u-turns, collar grabs and getting dogs accustomed to muzzles.

To enrol on Reactive Rovers you will need an initial 30 minute assessment to make sure this is the right place for your dog. Dogs with serious aggression issues will not be suitable but other help can be given. Some dogs might need 1-2-1 help before joining class.

Classes will be held in Currie Youth Club on Monday evenings at 8:10pm-9pm. Sessions are less than an hour as the sessions can be a lot for dogs to cope with even when they are not reacting. Each course will last 6 weeks and over that time you will be able to learn different methods which will help get your dogs issues under control. Please bear in mind that for most dogs with issues towards other dogs the problem is usually based in fear and any problem based in emotion takes a lot of time and patience to resolve. The course is a starting point, not a magic fix.

The cost of the course is £50 and the pre-class assessment for those unknown to Joanne is £10.

To enrol please contact Joanne by telephone or email.

FIRST COURSE BEGINS ON MARCH 12TH 2012