top of page

Engage Disengage Game

A game to help dogs who react to other dogs or people  

​

The engage disengage game is great to use anytime you want to help your dog feel better about something scary or frustrating. The key to getting the most from training is to play the game when your dog sees the potentially scary thing at a distance where the thing is noticed but your dog is not backing/lunging/growling or otherwise reacting in an overtly fearful or aggressive looking way. 

​

The game describes playing with a clicker, but you may also choose a verbal marker instead. I say "nice!" when my reactive dog notices a trigger and looks back to me for his treat.

Engage Disengage Primer

This <3 minute video by fellow Academy graduate of Bravo Dog shows the game in action.

Preparation

  • Identify your dog's triggers (be as specific as possible)

  • Get treats ready, make sure you have them on you and easily accessible

  • Leash your dog (pairing with a humane collar and/or harness)

  • Let's practice. We will practice together so that you can get your timing just right. An example of practicing for a dog that is reactive to other dogs will look like this:

  1. Inanimate object

  2. Stuffed dog

  3. Real dog at a distance

  4. Dogs at a distance

  5. Outside of a dog park

Download the PDF of the Engage/Disengage game.

Engage Disengage game

Dig a Little Deeper

Before you get out there and try this on your own, watch this <8 minute video by Jollytails. This video goes a little deeper demonstrating timing of the clicks (or marker word) and progression through step 1 to step 2.

We offer private training by our certified dog trainers in:
Frisco, TX  Dallas, TX  Prosper, TX Plano, TX McKinney, TX  Fort Worth, TX,  Allen, TX, University Park, TX, The Colony, TX, Richardson, TX Garland, TX, Southlake, TX, Celina, TX, Highland Park, TX, Rockwall, TX & more! If you live in the DFW area and need help, reach out!

Contact Us

214-210-2695  (phone/text)​

Phone

Email

Areas of Service

Frisco, Prosper, Celina, Plano, Allen, Richardson, McKinney, North Dallas, Park Cities, Dallas, Addison, Carrollton, Irving, Southlake, Arlington, Lakewood, East Dallas - Additional DFW cities also available; Virtual Anywhere

Hours of Operation

By appointment only

A black dog  looking up

positive reinforcement dog training near me dog training and boarding near me dog behavior Specialist near me

©2020 by Wiggle Butt Academy       MEET the Toolkit and Board & Maintain are Trademarks of Wiggle Butt Academy, Copyright 2022

By submitting any of our online forms, you agree to receive text messages at the provided number from Wiggle Butt Academy in response to your inquiry or active case. We do not send marketing messages by text. Message frequency varies, and standard message and data rates may apply. You have the right to OPT-OUT receiving messages at any time. To OPT-OUT, reply "STOP" to any text message you receive from us. 

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
bottom of page