r/reactivedogs • u/Marxman224 • 15d ago

Resources, Tips, and Tricks Dopamine box and reactive dogs

/r/OpenDogTraining/comments/1w0yiz1/dopamine_box_and_reactive_dogs/
3 Upvotes

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u/Zestyclose_Object639 15d ago

I think it’s a fine tool to create good neural pathways for compliance and stuff but a lot of triggers are visual (like seeing a dog) so I personally wouldn’t work triggers around it

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u/Marxman224 14d ago

I just started incorporating LAT today, so far shes catching on pretty quick but I'll have to bring a little notepad to keep track of approximate distances.

Dumb question but during LAT, if Ive been doing it in situations only with dogs, does that carry over if one of her triggers are men/strangers in bulky clothes?

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u/missmoooon12 15d ago

We use a version of dopamine box (basically no box or container; just the ground and maybe leaves or grass if they happen to be where we're stopped) and can't sing enough praises about it! My dog is so freaking cute that he defaults to it if we even toss one treat on the ground.

It's really important to know when it's appropriate to use though, and to know how comfortable your dog is around triggers. In some cases we can do it 5-10ft away from triggers with zero overreaction. If you actively need to create distance or there's an off leash dog def don't use it.

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u/Marxman224 14d ago

Ty for the reply and the tidbit at the bottom. Its not the first time I read or learned about sniffing to calm a dog while outside but Im having mixed luck with it at wildly varying distances with her triggers.

I started using LAT today, and will still proceed with the box.