| name | behavioral-modification |
| locale | caveman-lite |
| source_locale | en |
| source_commit | 82c77053 |
| translator | Julius Brussee homage — caveman |
| translation_date | 2026-04-19 |
| description | Address unwanted dog behaviors through desensitization, counter-conditioning, and management. Covers reactivity (to dogs, people, sounds), separation anxiety, resource guarding, excessive barking, and leash pulling using force-free methods with systematic threshold management. Use when a dog shows reactivity toward other dogs, people, or stimuli; when separation anxiety causes destructive behavior or vocalization; when resource guarding is present; or when behaviors like excessive barking or leash pulling interfere with daily life — after basic obedience is established.
|
| license | MIT |
| allowed-tools | Read |
| metadata | {"author":"Philipp Thoss","version":"1.0","domain":"animal-training","complexity":"advanced","language":"natural","tags":"animal-training, dog, behavior, reactivity, anxiety, desensitization, counter-conditioning"} |
Behavioral Modification
Address unwanted dog behaviors through desensitization, counter-conditioning, and environmental management.
When to Use
- A dog shows reactivity (lunging, barking, growling) toward other dogs, people, or stimuli
- Separation anxiety manifests as destructive behavior, vocalization, or house soiling when left alone
- Resource guarding: the dog stiffens, growls, or snaps when approached while eating or holding an object
- Excessive barking, jumping, pulling on leash, or other behaviors that interfere with daily life
- After basic obedience is established — behavioral modification builds on foundation commands
Inputs
- Required: A specific unwanted behavior to address (not "the dog is bad" but "the dog lunges at other dogs on leash")
- Required: The dog's threshold distance or trigger level (how close/intense before the behavior starts)
- Optional: History of the behavior (when it started, what triggers it, what makes it worse)
- Optional: High-value treats that the dog will eat even when mildly stressed
- Optional: Veterinary clearance (rule out pain or medical causes for behavior changes)
Procedure
Step 1: Identify and Define the Behavior
Precision matters — vague descriptions lead to vague interventions.
Behavior Analysis (ABC Model):
+-------------+------------------------------------------+
| Component | Define Specifically |
+-------------+------------------------------------------+
| Antecedent | What happens BEFORE the behavior? |
| (Trigger) | e.g., "sees another dog within 30 feet" |
+-------------+------------------------------------------+
| Behavior | What EXACTLY does the dog do? |
| | e.g., "stiffens, stares, then lunges and |
| | barks" |
+-------------+------------------------------------------+
| Consequence | What happens AFTER the behavior? |
| | e.g., "owner pulls the dog away; the |
| | other dog leaves" (behavior is reinforced |
| | because the trigger goes away) |
+-------------+------------------------------------------+
Threshold Mapping:
- At what distance/intensity does the dog first notice the trigger? (alert)
- At what distance/intensity does the dog become unable to take treats? (over threshold)
- The working zone is BELOW threshold — where the dog notices but can still think
Got: A precise behavior definition with identified trigger, threshold distance, and current consequence pattern.
If fail: If the behavior seems to have no consistent trigger, keep a log for one week: date, time, context, behavior, consequence. Patterns often emerge that are not obvious in the moment.
