BAT Steps for Reactivity

Steps below assume that the functional reward is an increased distance to the trigger, but for frustrated greeters, you can use a 1-2 foot approach as a reward instead of walking away.

Walks: Stage 1. If waiting for good behavior won’t work yet in the real world – the trigger is too close and the dog would be too stressed if you wait there, here’s an even easier version. Start off just by clicking the dog for noticing the trigger. This is basically using classical conditioning with a BAT flavor:

  1. Dog notices trigger
  2. Click
  3. Walk/jog away (IMPORTANT!)
  4. Treat with food or a toy

Walks: Stage 2. When you can’t control the trigger intensity (people or other dogs get to close, etc.), bring treats, so you can do the Bonus Reward version of BAT. The order of events is:

  1. Dog notices trigger
  2. Wait for alternate behavior (if possible), like looking away from the trigger, calm bravery, ground sniffing, shake-off, etc. Keep leash loose, and breathe! ** If the dog starts breathing faster or looks like she’s going to bark, say her name and walk her further away, so she can calm down.
  3. Click
  4. Walk/jog away
  5. Treat with food or a toy

Note that you walk away before treating, so the dog notices the functional reward. As time goes on, shift into letting the dog engage more with their environment. Begin to do the set-up version of BAT out in the real world whenever possible, using only functional rewards, not treats.

Set-ups and Stage 3 Walks. Set-ups are ideal. Do them right away. This is the core of BAT. Start with an easy version of the trigger and gradually turn up the heat. That usually means starting really far away from the trigger. Take breaks whenever the dog, you, or the helpers need one.

  1. Walk toward trigger (or trigger approaches) only until dog just barely begins to pay attention to the trigger. Breathing should be fairly calm.
  2. Wait for alternate behavior, often ‘disengagement’ like looking away.
  3. Say “Yes” right as the dog makes a good choice.
  4. Walk/jog away

This info on BAT is available (with an illustration) as this handy downloadable BAT Basics PDF.

Don’t forget to round out your education with the BAT book or other resources.

2 Responses to BAT Steps for Reactivity

  1. julie says:
    February 2, 2012 at 12:02 am

    I have a frustrated greeter, and don’t quite understand how to incorporate a reward for her. If we’re close enough for her to notice the trigger (another dog), ANY movement toward the dog tends to get her amp’d up. I’ve been trying to reinforce her disengagement response with treats, but it seems like it’s completely missing the BAT aspect of functional reward.

    When we pass places she usually sees other dogs (who get her super-wound-up), if the dog isn’t there (she always looks for them) and she disengages I can reward with moving closer, but it doesn’t really feel like it’s helping with the real problem.

    BAT completely makes sense to me for a fear response, but I’m not quite understanding the approach for frustration.

    • Grisha says:
      February 9, 2012 at 7:06 pm

      Hi Julie,
      Feel free to post this on the BAT Yahoo group. You’ll get a lot more answers and help along the way. http://functionalrewards.com/yahoo-group/

      The function of the reactivity seems to be fun/contact/moving closer. You can either give her one step forward as a reward (just one human step, both feet move once) or you can do an equivalent reward, by running away and playing. Or run away and feed if she’s not toy motivated. If she goes ballistic if you go forward, you may be starting too close to the trigger. Good luck!