The Key to Effective Dog Training
Matching Intensity in Dog Training: How to Read and Respond to Your Dog
When it comes to dog training, matching intensity is key. Learning how to read and respond to your dog's intensity level can make a world of difference in the success of your training sessions. The dogs need to know that we are in control, otherwise they try to take charge. We have bred dogs to be betas, so it is not in their nature to make big decisions like when they get fed, what toys they get, when they go for a walk, etc. When we relinquish our dominance and the dogs think they are in charge, it forces them to react to situations poorly. Dogs need to be shown what their job is and guided properly through situations. In this blog post, we will discuss the importance of matching intensity in dog training, as well as how to read and respond to your pup's cues in order to advocate for them to reach the best outcomes.
What is a sensitivity threshold?
When it comes to intensity matching, it’s important to be aware of your pup’s sensitivity threshold. A pup’s sensitivity threshold is the point at which a dog becomes overwhelmed by the intensity of their environment. Being aware of this threshold and not pushing past it will ensure that your pup remains comfortable and relaxed throughout the training session.
By understanding your dog’s body language and energy levels, you will be better equipped to respond to them in a way that allows for successful training sessions.
Intensity Matching & Body Language
Reading and responding to your pup’s body language is key to successful intensity matching. Dogs communicate through their body language and by understanding their cues, you can better advocate for them. If your dog is displaying signs of nervousness or fear, such as whining, shying away, or avoiding eye contact, slow and soft movements are best. This will show them that you are there to guide them without breaking their threshold. On the other hand, if your dog is being demanding, displaying behaviors like jumping, nipping, or barking, quick and firm corrections will tell them their behavior is inappropriate.
How to respond
Your intensity level needs to be the balance in the equation. Sometimes you need to match the dog's intensity, and sometimes you need to move faster or harder to get a point across. Sometimes you need to move slower or softer to bring the dog's intensity level down.
Here are some examples to demonstrate matching intensity:
Scenario A: Matching Low Intensity Levels
Your dog is refusing to lay down, or submit to obedience commands, even with treats.
Under- correction: Repeating command with no follow through & giving up
Over-correction: Constantly correcting through popping the leash and saying “no” over and over again.
Appropriate response: This scenario deserves soft and slow movements, using sustained leash pressure to show the dog what position you want them in and allowing them time to process.
Senario B: Matching Medium Intensity Levels
Your dog jumps on a house guest and they get so excited they snap and snag their knitted sweater.
Under-correction: Telling the dog “off” over and over again without any follow through.
Over correction: Yelling at the dog and showing physical force to correct
Appropriate response: This scenario deserves an intensity level match. If the dog is not corrected and shown that the jumping behavior is inappropriate, they will continue to do it. The dog handler should have the dog on leash when guests come over. Telling the dog “off” and if the dog doesn’t listen they should correct the dog by giving a small “pop” correction to guide the dog off the guest.
Scenario C: Matching High Intensity Levels
Your dog is barking and lunging at another person or dog while walking on leash.
Under- correction: Telling the dog “no” without a leash correction.
Over-correction: Yanking the dog excessively.
Appropriate response: This scenario deserves a high intensity correction. The dog handler should use a verbal “no” and let the dog hit the end of the leash, giving the dog a “pop” correction. The dog starts to understand that every time they hit the end of the leash they correct themselves.
