Angier K9 Field Notes

Reactivity and neutrality

Start with an observable goal: passing, keeping distance, staying with a task or leaving another animal alone. Note who is present, how close they are, what they do and what support the handler provides. One encounter does not establish the response to every future encounter.

The starting question

Does progress around others have to mean making friends?

Peaceful coexistence and friendship are different goals. These lessons ask what the dog does around a particular person or animal, under particular conditions, rather than treating every encounter as a greeting.

Watch the teaching in context

These starting points come from the linked concept sources. Watch the surrounding sequence as well as the explanation; a lesson example does not establish every dog’s outcome.

Source moment · 43:46

Zeus: coexistence as the goal

The handover distinguishes avoiding another dog from needing to become that dog’s friend.

Watch for: Listen for the specific household goal, then separate that goal from evidence of what happens later.

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Source moment · 6:01

Sage: a planned passing distraction

The trainer asks another handler to walk a dog past Sage to test a held position. Repeated passes are a test, not by themselves proof of success.

Watch for: Track each animal separately. Record whether the position holds on each pass and any help or reset.

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Questions to explore

Will my dog ever be able to play with other dogs again?Does my dog have to like other dogs?Should a higher level solve fixation?My dog locks on and stops hearing me Would getting a second dog help my nervous dog?Can another dog help - or test - my dog?How do I introduce two dogs that have already fought?How do I introduce two dogs that don't get on?Must both dogs have identical rules?How do you train two dogs in one house?Can I tell from one signal?How can I tell what my dog is feeling?Is it a failure if my dog just avoids other dogs?Does my dog have to like other dogs?Is every incorrect position evidence of fixation?My dog locks on and stops hearing me

Browse the complete question shelf for reactivity and neutrality

Connect the ideas

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Keep a useful record

Is the goal a greeting, neutral passing or distance?
Which animal is being addressed in each part of the sequence?
What changes between attempts: distance, movement, duration or assistance?

Compare encounters with their conditions

A response is more useful to understand when the distance, movement and help are recorded with it.

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