Anxiety alerts that rely on the dog’s response to a handler’s body language associated with anxiety are straightforward to initially train, but real world implementation can be trickier. Here are three of the most common issues I see—and how to address them.
1. Teaching an alert the handler doesn’t notice. If the initial alert behavior—a nose nudge, for example—is too soft, the handler may not feel it. This is especially true for anxiety alerts, when the handler is already distracted by their stress level.
One way to prompt a firmer nudge is to build more energy and movement in the training session. Tossing the treat rather than delivering it directly to the dog’s mouth, or incorporating running and playful movement, may elicit a more energetic and firmer nose nudge.
2. Not training for persistence when the handler doesn’t respond. Because alerts are quick to initially train, trainers may not spend enough time building persistence. In the real world, handlers can easily miss or dismiss a single nudge.
Gradually delaying clicking and rewarding until the dog nudges several times in a row is an effective way to build persistence. But if you systematically increase delaying, for example clicking first after the first nudge, then after the second, the third and so on, you risk creating latency. The dog may start to delay before alerting. Because a fast alert is important, it is critical to also sometimes mark and reward after the first alert in training. In short, mix it up. Sometimes mark and reward after several nudges in a row; other times mark and reward after the first one.
3. Not taking time to carefully plan what happens after the alert. For the anxiety alert to be effective, there needs to be a clear plan for what the handler will do after the dog alerts. Possibilities may include taking a recommended medication, leaving a situation, or engaging in a calming strategy like deep breathing. This piece should always be individualized. The handler can consult with their healthcare provider to identify strategies that are appropriate and effective for them.
4. Not generalizing to different positions and orientations. The handler’s body language that is being used as the cue for the alert behavior can look very different when the individual is in different positions. For instance, if the handler scratches their arm, consider how this looks when the handler is seated, standing facing away from the dog or sideways, or lying down. It is important to practice in all of these positions and various orientations relative to the dog to ensure the alert behavior is generalized and useful to the handler. Without deliberate generalization, dogs may only alert when the handler’s body language occurs in the same position and orientation used during training.
5. Overlooking the “checking in” aspect of this task. In a training context the dog is naturally offering much more attention to the handler’s body language than when the team is out and about in public access. For a body-language-based alert to work, the dog must first observe the body language. The dog has to also be trained to check in frequently with the handler to see the handler’s body language. This means frequently rewarding offered attention in various contexts.
Anxiety alerts are highly valued and important to their handlers, so making sure the alert is well generalized and all related aspects are thoroughly trained is worth the time and effort. Attention to these details can make the difference between an alert that works in a training session context and one that is truly a useful and functional task.
Learn More About Alert Training
Anxiety alerts are one of the topics we cover in depth in my PTSD Service Dog course.
