Red Light - Green Light
Have you heard of the Mailman Syndrome? Imagine the mailman coming to the door, from your dog’s perspective. The mailman comes to the door, the dog barks, the mailman goes away. The dog thinks – “Wow, I’m super cool - I made him leave!”.
Many of us have dogs that are reactive. They may be reactive to sounds, strange objects, new people or dogs. Dogs also learn very quickly what works and what doesn’t. This is why dogs learn so quickly that when they bark or growl at something, it usually retreats. Or, sometimes we may also inadvertently reward them when they bark, by petting them and say “it’s okay, it’s okay”…
Through behavior modification, we can work on changing our dogs' mindset. Let’s take barking at another dog for example. There can be many reasons why a dog is going to bark at another dog.
So, my job as a Behavior Consultant is to work with owners on changing the dogs behavior. Changing his mindset. Right now, when he sees another dog (or person) it's something bad (any number of the reasons listed above). We want to change his behavior so that when he sees another dog he thinks it’s a good thing, a *really* good thing!
Most dogs I know are pretty treat motivated. For this behavior, you are going to find the treats that your dog simply cannot resist! Cut up steak, cheese, chicken, elk meat – Oh yes, the good stuff! And, you’re going to reserve these treats just for this behavior. I like to cut up my treats very small, depending on the size of the dog, the treats are going to be between the size of a pea, and the size of a dime, no larger. We don’t want to fill their bellies, just give them really good tastes. You may also want to have about five times the amount of treats that you’ll need – We go through a lot of treats with “Red Light/Green Light”!
Start at home with simple distractions you can control. Like, having someone in your house act the part of the “strange dog” ☺ Here’s how to set it up:
So, during Green Light it’s super awesome for your dog, you’re looking at him (attention from eye contact is pretty powerful!) and the treats are coming just as fast as he can eat them. I don’t usually talk to my dog during this exercise. I try to be a bit mechanical in my training for certain behaviors, and this is one of them. Since this is a behavior that gets your dog excited, we can understand that he may quickly reach his threshold. If I’m talking to him, I don’t want to inadvertently amp him up. My job is to treat and stay calm. This will help him to understand that when a person is walking towards him he becomes rewarded, but the energy is very low-key.
The “Red Light” portion of this is just as important as the “Green Light”. As soon as your helper walks away you STOP treating all together, and you don’t even look at your dog. Nope, looking at him is attention. You want him to understand that as soon as that person walks away he gets nothing. Zip, zero. The person coming *towards* him is the really good part.
The Red Light is so important because, again, if you think about how his little doggy mind works, he will start thinking – Oh geez, would that person please walk towards me again so I can start getting some treats!!??
This is not an exercise where the person eventually starts petting the dog. This is an exercise that you can eventually practice outside, with someone walking their dog across the street. Or, with a child riding their bike back and forth in front of your house. As your dog becomes better you should start to:
This is another reason why I don’t even say a command for this exercise. This is a behavior I want my dog to learn to do naturally, without me having to tell him. Like, *not* jumping up on a person should just be something my dog does naturally. I shouldn’t have to give him a command for it. So, *not* barking at other dogs should be something my dog does naturally.
If you have been practicing, and you get to the point where you think your dog doesn’t actually see the person walking toward them, don’t worry. My guess is he DOES actually see the person walking towards him, he’s just choosing to look to you for the treats! Make sense? Great, now go practice!!
Giene Keyes
Giene Keyes is the owner of Moon Dog Training, LLC, providing positive in-home training, behavior consultations and group classes. After receiving “Best of Madison'' multiple years in a row, Giene sold her dog daycare to focus on her dog behavior work. Giene has been working with pets and their owners for over 30 years. She is a professional animal trainer and behavior specialist in Southern Wisconsin. Giene divides her time between teaching group classes and private lessons – Specializing in manners and aggression cases. Giene works with vets, rescue groups and shelters, evaluating dogs for adoption, developing Canine Aggression Management Programs, and educating staff on dog language and behaviors. She consults for dog daycares and training companies by educating staff on dog body language, cues, managing a pack, difficult dogs and much more. She provides behavior consultations for service dog organizations and rescue groups in the Midwest. She has been an Instructor with the American Red Cross in Pet CPR and First Aid, a Certified Canine Good Citizen Evaluator with the American Kennel Club, and a Licensed Judge with the WI Dept of Ag, Trade & Consumer Protection. Giene is a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers and is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer. She routinely presents seminars on dog behavior and training, as well as chicken training seminars to promote team building. Giene has been a regular guest on popular Madison radio shows and evening newscasts. Giene has also been featured in numerous local magazines, including the cover for Wisconsin Woman. Giene is a published author (see her Chicken Training Book!) and loves demonstrating to people how clever dogs, chickens and pigs can be.
Many of us have dogs that are reactive. They may be reactive to sounds, strange objects, new people or dogs. Dogs also learn very quickly what works and what doesn’t. This is why dogs learn so quickly that when they bark or growl at something, it usually retreats. Or, sometimes we may also inadvertently reward them when they bark, by petting them and say “it’s okay, it’s okay”…
Through behavior modification, we can work on changing our dogs' mindset. Let’s take barking at another dog for example. There can be many reasons why a dog is going to bark at another dog.
- They see an intruder in their yard. Many dogs also think that the path they normally walk on is “their yard” too, and can become possessive of that. Or their car – They are the master of all they see!
- They are guarding, or acting possessive of their owner. Oh sure! You are the person that feeds them, that pets them, that plays with them… They don’t want anyone to come and take that attention away!
- Many dogs are fearful. Dogs have what’s called a “Flight or Fight” reaction. This is why many owners say that when they take their dog to a park, or if they are at daycare, they are fine. But, if they see another dog while they are on-leash, they bark, growl, lunge. When they are on a leash, however, they feel like their only option is to “fight” because they cannot get away.
- Sometimes dogs that are very social will bark at other dogs. We see this often in dogs that go to daycare. They are so used to just running up to another dog and initiating play. When they are on a leash they become frustrated (allowing your dog to work through his impulse control is another behavior – We’ll save that one for another article!), and bark at the other dog. I have seen this many times – A dog wants to play with a dog that is ignoring it. So, the playful dog barks at the other dog. He does it enough times and the other dog finally gets up and gives into his barking (sounds like a few people I know too!). Yep, the playful dog just learned that barking at another dog gets him what he wants!
So, my job as a Behavior Consultant is to work with owners on changing the dogs behavior. Changing his mindset. Right now, when he sees another dog (or person) it's something bad (any number of the reasons listed above). We want to change his behavior so that when he sees another dog he thinks it’s a good thing, a *really* good thing!
Most dogs I know are pretty treat motivated. For this behavior, you are going to find the treats that your dog simply cannot resist! Cut up steak, cheese, chicken, elk meat – Oh yes, the good stuff! And, you’re going to reserve these treats just for this behavior. I like to cut up my treats very small, depending on the size of the dog, the treats are going to be between the size of a pea, and the size of a dime, no larger. We don’t want to fill their bellies, just give them really good tastes. You may also want to have about five times the amount of treats that you’ll need – We go through a lot of treats with “Red Light/Green Light”!
Start at home with simple distractions you can control. Like, having someone in your house act the part of the “strange dog” ☺ Here’s how to set it up:
- You have your dog on leash and have all of your cut up treats ready to go.
- Standing indoors, allow about 10-15’ distance between you and your helper.
- You do not have to ask your dog to do anything, no sitting, no looking at you, nothing at all!
- When you’re ready for the person to start walking towards you, say to them “Green Light!”.
- The SECOND they start walking towards you, you are going to start feeding your dog the treats, one at a time, as FAST as you possibly can! Those treats are going to be flowing out of your hand like a waterfall!!
- As soon as they get about 4-5’ away from you, say “Red Light”, and they immediately turn around and walk away. You want them to turn and walk away before your dog feels like barking or growling. So, you may have to adjust this distance, depending on your dog's “bubble”.
- As soon as the person starts to walk away, stop with the treats. Stop with the eye contact. Stand there still. You want this to be the boring part.
So, during Green Light it’s super awesome for your dog, you’re looking at him (attention from eye contact is pretty powerful!) and the treats are coming just as fast as he can eat them. I don’t usually talk to my dog during this exercise. I try to be a bit mechanical in my training for certain behaviors, and this is one of them. Since this is a behavior that gets your dog excited, we can understand that he may quickly reach his threshold. If I’m talking to him, I don’t want to inadvertently amp him up. My job is to treat and stay calm. This will help him to understand that when a person is walking towards him he becomes rewarded, but the energy is very low-key.
The “Red Light” portion of this is just as important as the “Green Light”. As soon as your helper walks away you STOP treating all together, and you don’t even look at your dog. Nope, looking at him is attention. You want him to understand that as soon as that person walks away he gets nothing. Zip, zero. The person coming *towards* him is the really good part.
The Red Light is so important because, again, if you think about how his little doggy mind works, he will start thinking – Oh geez, would that person please walk towards me again so I can start getting some treats!!??
This is not an exercise where the person eventually starts petting the dog. This is an exercise that you can eventually practice outside, with someone walking their dog across the street. Or, with a child riding their bike back and forth in front of your house. As your dog becomes better you should start to:
- Decrease the amount of treats.
- Increase the duration between treats.
- Practice with higher level distractions.
- Expect that your dog will modify his behavior and this will start to become his default. When he sees something that he would normally bark at, what he will soon start to do is to look to you for a treat – How fantastic!!!
This is another reason why I don’t even say a command for this exercise. This is a behavior I want my dog to learn to do naturally, without me having to tell him. Like, *not* jumping up on a person should just be something my dog does naturally. I shouldn’t have to give him a command for it. So, *not* barking at other dogs should be something my dog does naturally.
If you have been practicing, and you get to the point where you think your dog doesn’t actually see the person walking toward them, don’t worry. My guess is he DOES actually see the person walking towards him, he’s just choosing to look to you for the treats! Make sense? Great, now go practice!!
Giene Keyes
Giene Keyes is the owner of Moon Dog Training, LLC, providing positive in-home training, behavior consultations and group classes. After receiving “Best of Madison'' multiple years in a row, Giene sold her dog daycare to focus on her dog behavior work. Giene has been working with pets and their owners for over 30 years. She is a professional animal trainer and behavior specialist in Southern Wisconsin. Giene divides her time between teaching group classes and private lessons – Specializing in manners and aggression cases. Giene works with vets, rescue groups and shelters, evaluating dogs for adoption, developing Canine Aggression Management Programs, and educating staff on dog language and behaviors. She consults for dog daycares and training companies by educating staff on dog body language, cues, managing a pack, difficult dogs and much more. She provides behavior consultations for service dog organizations and rescue groups in the Midwest. She has been an Instructor with the American Red Cross in Pet CPR and First Aid, a Certified Canine Good Citizen Evaluator with the American Kennel Club, and a Licensed Judge with the WI Dept of Ag, Trade & Consumer Protection. Giene is a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers and is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer. She routinely presents seminars on dog behavior and training, as well as chicken training seminars to promote team building. Giene has been a regular guest on popular Madison radio shows and evening newscasts. Giene has also been featured in numerous local magazines, including the cover for Wisconsin Woman. Giene is a published author (see her Chicken Training Book!) and loves demonstrating to people how clever dogs, chickens and pigs can be.
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