Did you know that an estimated 20-30% of dogs display some form of reactivity or anxiety, often triggered by other dogs, people, or unexpected objects? For many dog owners, navigating these challenges can feel overwhelming. Fortunately, strategies like the “Look At That” (LAT) game offer a powerful, positive reinforcement approach to transform your dog’s reactions. The video above demonstrates this fantastic training method, and this article dives deeper into its mechanics, benefits, and how you can implement it successfully with your furry friend.
Mastering the “Look At That” Game for Reactive or Fearful Dogs
The “Look At That” game, often called LAT, is a cornerstone of positive reinforcement training for dogs who exhibit strong reactions to various triggers. These triggers could be anything from other dogs and strangers to bicycles, skateboards, or even just strange objects. Kayla and Barley beautifully showcase how this game works to change your dog’s emotional response.
Fundamentally, LAT is a counter-conditioning and desensitization technique. It pairs the sight of a previously scary or exciting stimulus with something positive: a delicious treat. Over time, your dog learns that the appearance of their trigger predicts good things happening, rather than something to bark at, lunge towards, or fear.
Why “Look At That” Works for Managing Reactivity
This simple yet highly effective game provides several profound benefits for dogs struggling with reactivity, fear, or high prey drive.
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Reduces Arousal Levels: When a dog reacts, their body is flooded with adrenaline and cortisol. The LAT game helps to lower this intense emotional state by associating triggers with calm, positive experiences.
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Builds Positive Associations: Instead of the trigger predicting something negative (fear, frustration) or overwhelming (excitement), it begins to predict a reward. This changes your dog’s underlying emotional response from negative to positive or neutral.
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Increases Focus on You: As your dog progresses, the game teaches them to actively disengage from the trigger and check in with you for their reward. This creates a valuable “ping-pong head” effect, where they glance at the trigger and then immediately turn to you.
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Empowers Your Dog: They learn that looking at the trigger calmly and then turning to you is a way to earn rewards and manage their feelings, rather than resorting to reactive behaviors.
The Two Stages of the “Look At That” Game
As demonstrated in the video, the “Look At That” game typically progresses through two main stages. It’s crucial to master each stage before moving on, ensuring your dog builds a strong foundation.
Stage 1: Rewarding the Look
In this initial stage, your primary goal is to reward your dog simply for noticing their trigger. The moment your dog looks at the object, person, or animal they usually react to, you mark that behavior and immediately give a treat.
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Mark the Behavior: Use a clicker or a verbal marker like “yes!” or “good” the instant your dog’s eyes meet the trigger. This precise timing tells your dog exactly what they’re being rewarded for.
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Immediately Treat: Following your marker, deliver a high-value treat. High-value means something incredibly delicious to your dog, like cooked chicken, cheese, or specialized training treats. This creates a powerful positive association.
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Repetition is Key: As Kayla mentions, you might repeat this step 10 to 20 times or even more. The goal is to build a strong expectation in your dog: “Trigger appears, I look, I get food!”
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Control the Environment: Start in an environment where the trigger is far away and not too intense. Imagine if your dog barks at other dogs on walks. Begin training across a large field or parking lot, where other dogs are barely noticeable. This ensures your dog is under threshold and able to learn.
Stage 2: Rewarding the Look-Back
Once your dog reliably looks at the trigger and then immediately looks back at you, you’re ready for Stage 2. This is the ultimate goal of the “Look At That” game, as it teaches your dog to disengage from the trigger and check in with you.
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Withhold the Initial Mark: Instead of clicking or saying “good” when your dog first looks at the trigger, you wait. You want to see if they’ll offer the “look back” behavior on their own.
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Mark the Look-Back: The instant your dog looks at the trigger and then voluntarily turns their head to look at you, mark that behavior with your clicker or verbal cue. Immediately follow with a treat.
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Building Self-Control: This stage actively encourages your dog to make a choice: notice the trigger, then choose to look at you for a reward. It builds immense self-control and focus.
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Gradual Progression: As your dog masters this, you can slowly decrease the distance to the trigger or increase the intensity. Always move at your dog’s pace, ensuring they remain successful and happy.
Essential Tools and Setup for “Look At That” Training
Successful implementation of the “Look At That” game relies on a few key components and careful preparation.
High-Value Treats are Non-Negotiable
As the video highlights, if your dog is too stressed to eat treats, you are too close to the trigger. This is a critical indicator. When choosing treats for LAT training, think “jackpot” rather than kibble. Soft, smelly, easily chewable treats like boiled chicken, hot dogs, or cheese work wonderfully.
Imagine if your dog sees a squirrel and usually strains at the leash. If you offer a plain biscuit and they ignore it, they’re likely over threshold. But if they gobble down a piece of chicken, they’re likely still receptive to learning.
Clicker vs. Verbal Marker
A clicker offers precise timing, making it an excellent tool for marking the exact moment your dog performs the desired behavior. However, a consistent verbal marker like “yes!” or “good” works just as well, especially if a clicker is cumbersome for you.
Leash and Safety Considerations
When working with a reactive dog, safety is paramount. Always use a secure leash and harness (or collar, depending on your dog’s needs) that you can control. A shorter leash can prevent your dog from surging towards a trigger and potentially hurting themselves, as Kayla demonstrates with Barley.
Furthermore, always have an escape route in mind. If you’re practicing near a vet clinic parking lot, as suggested, know how you’d quickly remove your dog from an escalating situation if another dog approaches too closely or unexpectedly.
Troubleshooting Your “Look At That” Training
Even with the best intentions, you might encounter bumps in the road. Here are some common issues and how to address them:
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Your Dog Isn’t Eating Treats: This is the most crucial sign that your dog is over their threshold. They are too close to the trigger, or the environment is too overwhelming. Your immediate action should be to increase your distance from the trigger until your dog is relaxed enough to take treats eagerly. You cannot effectively train a stressed dog.
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Your Dog Isn’t Noticing the Trigger: If your dog isn’t even glancing at the trigger, it might be too far away, or the trigger isn’t salient enough. You can slightly decrease the distance or choose a more noticeable trigger. Alternatively, you might need to make a subtle sound to alert them, then mark when they look.
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Your Dog is Still Reacting Strongly: If your dog is still barking, lunging, or freezing even at a distance, you are likely too close. Go back to basics: find a much greater distance, ensure high-value treats, and focus on Stage 1 exclusively for a longer period.
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Inconsistent Progress: Training takes time and consistency. Don’t get discouraged if progress isn’t linear. Some days will be better than others. Keep your sessions short, positive, and end on a high note.
When to Seek Professional Help
While the “Look At That” game is incredibly effective, some dogs require a more tailored approach. If you find yourself consistently unable to manage your dog’s reactivity, if they show signs of underlying anxiety, or if you feel unsafe during training, it’s time to consult a qualified behavior professional. A certified professional dog trainer or veterinary behaviorist can help you troubleshoot specific challenges, identify potential medical issues contributing to behavior, and create a comprehensive behavior modification plan. As Kayla mentions, reaching out to an expert for personalized guidance can make all the difference in achieving a calmer, happier life for you and your dog with the “Look At That” game.
Looking for Answers? Your “Look at That!” Q&A
What is the “Look At That” (LAT) game?
The “Look At That” (LAT) game is a positive reinforcement training method. It teaches dogs to notice a trigger calmly and then look to their owner for a reward, changing their emotional response.
Which types of dogs can benefit from the LAT game?
The LAT game is very effective for dogs who are fearful, reactive (meaning they bark or lunge at things), or have a high prey drive. It helps them manage distractions like other dogs, people, or objects.
What is the main goal of the “Look At That” game?
The main goal is to change your dog’s emotional response to triggers from negative or overwhelming to positive or neutral. It helps your dog learn that the appearance of a trigger predicts good things, like a tasty treat.
What important tools do I need to start LAT training?
You will need high-value treats that your dog absolutely loves, such as cooked chicken or cheese. A clicker or a consistent verbal marker, like “yes!” or “good,” is also essential for precise timing.
What should I do if my dog won’t eat treats during training?
If your dog isn’t eating treats, it’s a clear sign they are too stressed or too close to the trigger. You should immediately increase your distance from the trigger until your dog is relaxed enough to eagerly take the treats.
