Some dogs are way too visual – when they should be nose first. A dogs nose is tied to the brain – the human eyes are tied to our brain. If your dog reacts to everything visually – and they don’t use their nose? Try something different.
As an example, I assessed a Aussie Shepherd a while back, it had issues with dogs. Brought Monty into the home, I brought the dog out of the bedroom on leash and as soon as he seen Monty, he showed aggression. Lunging and pulling on the leash to get at Monty.
I blindfolded the dog, and made him find Monty with his nose. Did he try to attack Monty when blindfolded?? No, not at all – because he found Monty with his nose. I took away the very thing that was causing the dogs reactivity. His eyes – and pushed him to use the right tool.
Blindfolds are a great way to gain trust of a dog as well. If you can blindfold your dog and take it for a walk? The dog definitely needs to trust you.
A blindfold isn’t something you just put on the dog. It needs to be the dogs choice to accept it – it’s a big change.