Investigating the Effect that Training Classes Have on Reactive Behaviors in Dogs

Abstract

Canine reactivity, including vocalizing and pulling towards other conspecifics, is a common behavioral issue experienced by owners of companion dogs. Due to its prevalence, a variety of training options are necessary to alleviate this concern for dog owners. Training classes are often an accessible and valuable method of increasing desirable behaviors in dogs but has not been previously researched in terms of reducing behaviors linked to canine reactivity. This study’s aim was to highlight any additional side benefits that group training might have on the reduction of behaviors related to reactivity and does not impact the benefits of group training classes that prior research supports. Using a pretest posttest design this study compared a period of no owner interaction and one of owner interaction before and after the completion of a 5-week group training class for adolescent dogs. We found no significant differences in any of the target behaviors during the No Interaction period and the Owner Interaction period saw an increase in owner attention and a decrease in attention towards the target dog. Both vocalization and leash pulling showed decreasing trends between the pre- and posttest during the Owner Interaction period as well, but it did not rise to the level of statistical significance. When comparing testing states, the Owner Interaction period saw a significant increase in owner attention and significant decreases in vocalization, leash pulling, and attention towards the target dog when compared to the No Interaction period. These results suggest that without owner intervention there is neither a positive nor a negative change in the target behaviors. It appears that owner intervention may play a significant role in seeing possible changes in behaviors linked to reactivity.