Bat Cat

TRAINING TIPS B ATs a n d CATs
Behavioral Adjustment Training (BAT) and Constructional Aggression Treatment (CAT) both rely on
the dog receiving a functional reward for offering a calm behavior in the presence of a stressor
where s/he had previously presented reactive or aggressive behavior. The reward is often increased
distance from the stressor.
Previously the dog learned that aggression or reactivity would make the stressor go away, thereby
increasing the frequency of that behavior. S/he now learns that aggression or reactivity no longer
work, but calm behavior will make the stressor go away.
The two following protocols are simplified versions based on the work of Grisha Stewart (BAT), and
of Kelly Snider and Jesus Rosales-Ruiz (CAT).
BAT
The stressor could be a person, a dog, a trash can—whatever worries your dog. You can initially
practice the protocol with something that’s not so worrying, so as to build the behavior.
Working with a volunteer stressor:
1. Have the volunteer stressor sit or stand in a fixed location
2. Move with your dog on lead toward the stressor
3. Just as your dog notices the stressor, but before s/he reacts, pause and wait for him or
her to offer a calm behavior, or disengage in any way from watching the stressor. Some
behaviors might be:
• An ear flick back to you
• Sniffing the ground
• Looking away
4. Mark with a happy word in a happy tone such as “Yes”, or “Yay”, or “Yippee” while
turning to run away happily. The reward is the increased distance, but you may also give
your dog a bonus reward of a food treat after your happy run-away if it helps keep your
dog calm and happy.
5. Repeat steps 2-4, decreasing the distance between your dog and the stressor little bit
by little bit as your dog continues to be able to offer calm behavior after noticing the
stressor.
6. End the session while your dog is still having a good time. Five or ten minutes can be
plenty of time for good learning to take place.
7. When you begin your next BAT session be sensitive to your dog when choosing your
starting distance. It will probably be more than the distance at which you ended the
previous session.
It’s possible to do BAT in the field, taking advantage of stressors that occur in the environment (e.g.
dogs entering and leaving the vet, children at a playground). Be sensitive to your dog’s “threshold
distance,” the distance at which your dog notices the stressor but doesn’t overreact.
Joyful Dog LLC
703-‐554-‐2877
[email protected]
CAT
As with BAT, the stressor could be a person, a dog, a bicycle—whatever worries your dog. You can
initially practice the protocol with something that’s not so worrying, so as to build the behavior.
You will need to work with a volunteer stressor:
1. Have your dog on lead or tethered at a fixed location
2. Have the stressor move toward your dog until the dog notices the stressor, but is not yet
overreacting.
3. Wait for your dog to offer a calm behavior, or disengage in any way from watching the
stressor. Some behaviors might be:
• An ear flick back to you
• Sniffing the ground
• Looking away
4. Have the stressor move away, rewarding your dog for calm behavior with increased
distance.
5. Repeat steps 2-4, decreasing the distance between your dog and the stressor little bit
by little bit as your dog continues to be able to offer calm behavior after noticing the
stressor.
6. End the session while your dog is still able to work. CAT sessions can be lengthy, but 15
minutes can also be plenty of time for good learning to take place if your dog is
beginning to learn what works.
7. As the CAT sessions progress your dog may begin to offer affiliative behavior toward the
stressor.
8. When you begin your next CAT session be sensitive to your dog when choosing your
starting distance. It will probably be more than the distance at which you ended the
previous session.
In general I prefer to use a BAT approach because the dog controls its own movement toward and
away from the stressor through its body language, but there are many times where that’s not
feasible, such as when a visitor comes to the front door if you have a small apartment and a big dog.
Also, when dealing with a situation that involves the approach of a stressor CAT may be a good
choice to train alternative behavior.
Note that these are simplified versions of the two protocols. If you’d like more information, try some
of these resources:
The official BAT website with links to books and e-books, DVDs, and free online resources:
http://functionalrewards.com/bat-videos-books/behavior-adjustment-training-book/
If you’d like to read the CAT thesis it’s online in a number of libraries including: http://
digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc5120/m2/1/high_res_d/thesis.pdf. A 6 DVD set is
available at http://www.tawzerdog.com/constructional-aggression-treatment-c-a-t-for-
dogs-10245.html and http://www.dogwise.com/ItemDetails.cfm?ID=DTB947. Finally, there is
an excellent and accessible explanation of CAT at http://www.training-your-dog-and-
you.com/constructional_aggression_treatment.html.
Joyful Dog LLC

703-‐554-‐2877
[email protected]

Bat Cat

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Bat Cat

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Bat Cat

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

TRAINING TIPS B ATs a n d CATs

Joyful Dog LLC

You might also like