Front Brain vs. Hind Brain

From Brenda Aloff Reactive Dog Seminar

If you ever have a chance to attend one of Brenda's seminars, I highly recommend it

Hind Brain:
When our dogs are reactive, running on adrenaline, not rational, etc. This term describes my reactive dog, Peyton, every time he makes eye contact with a strange dog. Or even when he sees a squirrel in the yard. In this state, the dog is functioning on instinct, and probably doesn't even hear your voice. I think we've all felt the helplessness that goes along with hind brain dogs, not knowing what to do, and our dogs completely ignoring us.

Examples: Really excited dog pulling her owner around while running to every person every smell. Dog barking furiously at person/dog/squirrel/whatever.

Front Brain:
This is when our dogs respond to us, are "thinking", calm, etc. This is the state we need our dogs in to teach them and to make an impact, and for them to learn new behaviors.

Example: Dog sitting in a heel position looking at her owner. Dog walking on leash next to owner, not pulling or looking around anxiously.

The trick is to develop a method to switch our dogs from hind brain to front brain. Sounds easy :-P --See next post about rubbing and physical contact!