Hi Lenka, could you please introduce yourself to our readers and tell us who you are and what you do?

Hello, first of all, thank you for inviting me to this interview. I hope your readers will enjoy it. :)

I am a dog trainer at Koira Dog School, although what that really means is that I help people live together with their four-legged companions. And in order for that coexistence to be satisfying for both sides, I actually teach people more than I teach dogs—specifically, I teach people how to teach their dogs and how to understand them better. Because when we understand our dogs, respect their personalities and needs, it becomes easier to guide them through our complicated human world in a way that allows them to be happy. And happy dogs make wonderful companions!

So, I primarily focus on resolving behaviors that people consider problematic. I am here for those moments of discomfort and mutual misunderstanding, and I try to help people and their dogs find their way back to each other.

What led you to this profession?

My own dog led me to it—a dog I simply couldn't figure out how to handle!

Berunka is now 13 years old, and although she still doesn't fit the profile and expectations of a “good” dog, I believe she has lived, and continues to live, a fairly happy life. And thanks to her, and thanks to everything I have learned along the way, I can now help others as well.

Do you have any awards or certifications?

Yes, I have certificates confirming that I have completed a number of different training programs. I try to learn from the leading experts in my field – Alex Capra, Michael Shikashio, Grisha Stewart, and many others.

I think that nowadays, thanks to information technology, access to education is much easier than it used to be, you simply have to want it. But the greatest recognition comes from my clients who are living happy lives with their dogs, and no longer need me. :) That's the best outcome of my work: happy teams where people and their dogs have found their way back to each other.

Is your work more about dogs, or about people? And what does it involve?

It's primarily work with people.

However, every dog needs something slightly different from their human, so I need to understand dogs well and know their ethology in order to decode the emotions and motivations behind their behavior. And once I discover what lies at the heart of the issue, I try to teach people how to work with their dog's needs—both practical life needs and emotional ones.

How would you explain the term “reactivity” or describe a “reactive dog” to people who have never encountered this type of behavior before, or who are currently in that grey area where they are not entirely sure whether their dog could be considered reactive?

There can be many definitions, but generally speaking, the term reactive dog is defined as: a dog that reacts overly sensitively or excessively to ordinary stimuli. But this is where things become tricky—what one person considers normal, another person may already view as excessive. Personally, I look at it differently. It doesn't matter whether your dog is labeled reactive, whether they're a perfectly normal adolescent dog, or perhaps an unhappy former shelter resident. Don't spend your time wondering whether your dog is reactive or not.

Are you living well together?

If the answer is yes, great. Everything is fine, regardless of what anyone thinks about you or your dog.

If you're not living well together and you don't understand each other, seek help. And if I may advocate on behalf of the dog's soul, seek help from a trainer who works force free.*

Let's go back to the very beginning—to puppies. In your opinion, is reactivity encoded in a puppy's genes, or does it develop over time?

That's a tricky question. :) Ever since people began thinking about upbringing and heredity, this has remained an unresolved topic. In my opinion, the truth is both.

A puppy is born with a certain genetic makeup. Some parts of that makeup may be determined by breed predispositions (after all, breeds were developed for specific purposes), while other aspects are simply individual personality traits and temperament. And then there is the environment—first in the mother's womb, later with the breeder, and only afterward with the owner—which will activate certain genes and suppress others. Even within the same litter, puppies can have completely different personalities! Simply because what one puppy doesn't care about at all may bother another, and a third may even become afraid of it. A dog's response to a stimulus can range anywhere from: "I didn't even notice it" to "This is a serious problem!"

Of course, well-balanced parents with stable temperaments and a breeder who does everything reasonably and appropriately during the early socialization period increase the chances of producing well-adjusted puppies. But nature is a powerful magician, and sometimes, even when everyone does everything to the best of their knowledge and ability, there will still be a puppy who finds the world more difficult to navigate.

And then, of course, there is adolescence. A period of testing boundaries that every healthy dog will experience to some degree. And it's a lottery how intense that period will be, how much of a problem-solver your dog will become during adolescence, and how quickly – and to what extent – they will return to normal afterward. But that part is impossible to predict.

How would you recommend choosing a puppy in order to minimize the likelihood of reactivity as much as possible?

If you're going to choose a puppy, simply observe the little ones. Then multiply the individual puppy's behavior by ten, and you'll have a pretty good picture of the adult dog. :) Does the puppy constantly bark? They will probably bark even more as an adult. Do they constantly pester and nip at their siblings, even when the others are trying to get away? They will likely enjoy bullying others later in life as well. Is it a stable, confident puppy who isn't bothered by strange noises or an annoying sibling? They will most likely remain that way in adulthood. If you're unsure, ask the breeder for advice.

From day one, puppies already have their own personalities, character traits, and preferences. A good breeder can assess the individuality of each puppy and recognize what type of home and human companions each little one will need. And once again—these are only predispositions.

During adolescence, hormonal fluctuations can occur, and along with them experiences that may (or may not) change your dog's view of the world. That's simply something you'll have to wait and see.

In your opinion, are there breeds that have a greater predisposition toward reactivity? Which ones?

There are certainly breeds that may have a more difficult time adapting to modern human society because of the traits they were originally bred for. That's why it's important to understand what a breed was originally developed to do and what that means for its suitability in the family that chooses it. If people respect the characteristics of a particular breed and adapt to them, then no breed has to be inherently reactive.

(I don't want to name any specific breed because I don't want to offend any breeders, and there is always an exception that proves the rule.)

But...

Herding dogs will naturally want to herd (which essentially means hunting/chasing).

Guard dogs will naturally want to guard (against both people and other dogs).

Livestock guardian dogs will naturally want to protect (their owner or their owner's property).

Terriers tend to have short fuses (because they needed that trait to survive confrontations with badgers underground).

And sighthounds are generally not going to be overly enthusiastic about competitive obedience training. :)

(Petra's recommendation: Find out whether a breed's predispositions are truly suitable for you and don't read between the lines... like I did, even though I completely fell in love with the Russian Toy breed.)

And what about reactivity in adult dogs? In your opinion, what can it stem from or develop out of?

Most commonly, it develops during adolescence, which is characterized by a huge amount of emotions and a need to test boundaries.

At the same time, the neocortex—the part of the brain responsible for managing emotions and self-regulation—is delayed in its development and matures much later. Because of this, adolescence is a challenging period in which it can be difficult to guide a dog safely into adulthood without them accumulating experiences of helplessness and frustration, which are among the most common roots of behaviors that we later describe as reactive.

A dog needs to feel safe while simultaneously learning to respect both their own boundaries and the boundaries of others, cope with overwhelming emotions, and do all of this in an environment full of similarly frustrated and emotionally overwhelmed adult dogs. And unfortunately, their humans don't always help, because they often react to those situations with the same nervousness and exaggerated emotions. But that's a different story altogether.

What if I already have a reactive dog?

(Let's be honest,there are days when it's especially difficult even for the owner to cope with the fact that their dog is "different." Training is more challenging, walks are more challenging, and dealing with the opinions of others can be more challenging.)

What would you recommend to dog owners when their own bucket of patience and nerves has finally overflowed? Put your dog in the car and go for a long walk in the woods at 5 a.m. or 10 p.m., somewhere you won't meet anyone! Sometimes everyone's nerves need a break. And when you're outside and start wondering what other people think about you – look at your dog.

What can you do for them right now, in this very moment, to make them happy? What would help them feel better? Because at the end of the day, you're going home with your dog. They are your family, not that random stranger making comments. Your dog will care much more about whether they're living a good life than whether someone else thinks they're well-behaved.

What advice would you give to owners who already have a reactive dog? Load your dog into the car and take a long walk in the woods at 5 a.m. or 10 p.m., somewhere quiet where you won't meet anyone. Sometimes everyone needs a break. And when you start worrying about what others think, look at your dog. Ask yourself: "What can I do right now to help my dog feel better?"

At the end of the day, your dog is your family. The opinions of strangers matter far less than your dog's well-being. Your dog cares much more about whether life feels safe and enjoyable than whether someone considers them perfectly trained.

(Nowadays there are all sorts of terms for dog training, such as modern training, positive reinforcement training ("positive-only"), force-free training, but dog owners can still encounter the reward-and-punishment approach at some training clubs.) Which approach would you recommend, why, and how should dog owners choose the one that suits them best?

As I mentioned earlier, I believe it's best to work with someone who approaches dogs in a force-free way—that is, without violence. That doesn't mean I'm only nice to the dog and that the dog has no boundaries. It means I set those boundaries kindly, but consistently and patiently. And I'd rather teach a dog what they should do than focus on what they shouldn't do. But even in this area, the trainer also needs to be a good personal fit for you. No matter how skilled they are, sometimes you simply don't "click" with someone, and you don't even know why. Today there are plenty of trainers available. Arrange to visit a class first and simply observe. If the trainer's personality and methods resonate with you, and you can't wait to get started, that's great.

But if you're standing there thinking: "I wouldn't want someone doing this to my dog, but everyone here is paying for it, so it must work..." then go somewhere else. And don't forget our Koira motto: "A dog is a person too." Don't do anything to your dog that you wouldn't do to yourself or someone you love. It's not necessary. There are always other ways.

As we say at Koira: "A dog is a person too." Don't do anything to your dog that you wouldn't do to yourself or someone you love.

Let's take a closer look at the reward-and-punishment method. Do you think that approach—particularly physical punishment—can worsen reactivity in dogs and even trigger aggression, causing a dog to turn against its owner?

Theoretically, yes. Especially when the timing of the punishment doesn't make sense to the dog, or when it is more about revenge than actual correction. In practice, however, most dogs simply shut down. They give up. Their minds disconnect from their bodies, and rather than risk making a mistake, they become passive and stop offering behavior altogether. Or they only do exactly what they're told.

Some people may consider these passive beings with no initiative of their own to be perfectly trained dogs, and perhaps some of them genuinely are. And there will always be people for whom that is the ultimate goal. But I believe we live in a time when we have enough resources that we no longer need dogs for survival. Because of that, we can afford to see them as individuals, companions, and unique beings with their own emotions and needs. That's how I see dogs, and that's how I help their people learn to see them as well.

When it comes to reactive dogs, we sometimes encounter misunderstandings and differing opinions across generations.(To give some examples of common comments directed at owners of reactive dogs: "Back in our day there were no reactive dogs." "We were taught to grab the dog by the scruff and punish it so it knew its place." "That dog is just spoiled." "They'll grow out of it." "That dog wasn't socialized properly." "Our dog isn't like that—maybe you're just too soft on yours.")*

Could you share your thoughts on this topic? Have you encountered these opinions? What do you think about them, how do you interpret them, and how would you explain reactive dogs to people who hold these views?

Most often, people making those comments don't realize that they are actually reflecting their own childhood experiences with being raised. We probably won't be able to heal their generational trauma or convince them that the things they experienced—and perhaps that many of us experienced too—are not things we want to keep passing on.

In many cases, the response depends on the relationship I have with that person. If it's someone close to me, I may try to explain that my dog's emotions, and above all their well-being, are an important part of how I choose to live. If I can meet the emotional needs of another living being, it also improves my awareness of my own emotional needs. And if the conversation isn't open to that level of sensitivity, I can simply say that it's my life and I want to live it in my own way—including how I work with my dog. If it's a stranger, I can smile and simply say: "You're right. My dog is reactive, aggressive, or whatever else you've called them, so it would probably be best if you avoid us next time." And then thank them in advance for doing exactly that.

Or, if they're really getting on my nerves, I can tell them where to go and walk away. It all depends on what helps me feel better in that particular moment, because your dogs are watching you in situations like these. If we expect them to regulate their emotions, we should lead by example.

And sometimes it's perfectly okay to set your own boundaries, just as dogs do. ;)

We've just gotten a puppy, and we're first-time dog owners. What would you recommend to people like us? Where should we get information from (websites, books, podcasts, etc.)? How should we choose the right training school or trainer?

I would definitely recommend starting with our Koira Puppy School—it's now available online as well. :) There are plenty of guides and tips there that will come in really handy once your adorable little puppy enters adolescence.

And if we're too far away from you and you prefer in-person guidance, social media is full of groups where you can ask for recommendations for the nearest force-free trainer. (For example: the Facebook group "Force Free Trainers.")

What do you think about "puppy kindergarten" socialization between puppies? What advice would you give on this topic?

Puppies absolutely need to play, and a lot. At the same time, however, groups of young puppies can easily become environments where bullying and unpleasant interactions occur. That's why such meetings should be supervised and moderated by a human.

They should also be balanced with interactions with adult dogs who can teach puppies boundaries—and they should start learning those boundaries from an early age. Of course, puppies who grew up with adult dogs at the breeder's home have an advantage. They naturally understand that they can't just jump all over every dog they meet. The others simply have to learn that later in the real world. And another puppy can't teach them that.

Jak odhalit to, kdy jiné štěně/pes už toho mého začíná “šikanovat” a mému psovi pomoci, zabránit této situaci?

How can I tell when another puppy or dog is starting to bully my puppy, and how can I help prevent the situation?

When both dogs are having fun, it's play. When only one dog is having fun, it's bullying. And if I'm not sure whether my dog is enjoying it, I briefly hold the potential bully by their harness. If my dog immediately returns to play with an attitude like: "Heeeey, what are you doing? Why are you standing there? Come on, let's go, run!" then it's probably fine. But if my dog simply looks at me gratefully as if saying: "Phew... thanks. Finally. Let's get out of here!" then it probably wasn't play after all.

Do you think our view of dogs has changed nowadays? Are we spoiling them too much and treating them more like children than dogs, or do you feel things are still comparable to, say, ten years ago?

I think we have access to far more information today than we did ten years ago. Neuroscience has advanced significantly. We now have scientific evidence about emotions, about trauma—both trauma caused by a single event and developmental trauma. We understand psychology much better. We're fortunate enough to live in a time where we can apply this knowledge to animals as well. Is that anthropomorphizing dogs? No. It's simply recognizing a parallel and acknowledging that animals have souls too. And honestly, humanity should have understood that a long time ago.

But in a society that still struggles to respect women's rights to make decisions about their own bodies, or children's rights to experience childhood without violence and physical punishment, it's difficult to expect the majority of society to fully respect the emotions of animals. I try to educate people and raise awareness, and I can see that progress is being made. There are many wonderful people who see things the same way. And as long as they exist, there's hope that the world can become a better place.

In your opinion, is it possible to transform a fearful, anxious, timid dog into a confident dog?

It can happen. But it depends on a huge number of factors, so I wouldn't want to promise it to anyone. However, Even a dog like that can live a happy life without fear. That much I can promise. Provided the owner is willing to work not only on helping their dog, but also on managing the environment in a way that supports everyone's well-being.

Could you share a funny story from your work with our readers? (If you have one.)

My work is fun and entertaining all the time—come and see one of our communication lessons sometime. :) But just pulling a funny story out of my sleeve on demand? I don't think I can do that. A lot of humor is situational.

Finally, is there anything you'd like to say to dog owners as advice or perhaps as a message of awareness?

Your dog only has you in this world. Be their safe place. Learn to understand them. When you look back when your dog is ten years old, the moments you'll remember most will be the moments when your dog was smiling and happy. So make as many of those moments as possible.

Do you know someone who could benefit from this article or find it interesting? Share it with them. Let's help it reach as many people as possible.

* The Force Free method means training without violence and without physical corrections (that is, without using any tools or techniques that may cause physical pain to the dog).

September 22, 2024