What is the lat protocol for dogs?
Mercedes Labadie
2025-06-27 13:49:20
Count answers: 14
Look At That (LAT) is a pattern game created by Leslie McDevitt to help dogs signal when something in their environment is bothering them. Instead of reacting with fear or stress, your dog learns to locate the trigger and report it to you. This reduces anxiety by teaching your dog that they do not need to engage with things that scare them. LAT is also a great way to build confidence, especially if your dog has struggled with certain triggers before. The game can be taught in two ways: using matwork or a neutral object. LAT helps you gauge your dog’s comfort level. Look At That (LAT) should be a relaxed reporting of the environment. By practicing LAT, you help your dog manage their reactions and build stronger communication skills between you and your pet.
Newton Cormier
2025-06-27 12:35:02
Count answers: 9
The "Look at That" (LAT) protocol is a counter-conditioning and desensitization technique designed to help reactive dogs stay calm when encountering triggers. Developed by Leslie McDevitt as part of her Control Unleashed program, LAT teaches dogs to interact with their surroundings in a structured way, reducing overreactions and enhancing their ability to focus on their handler. The principle behind LAT is straightforward: instead of correcting a dog for reacting, we reward calm behaviour when they notice a trigger. When a dog sees a trigger, the handler marks the moment with a clicker or verbal cue and immediately follows up with a high value treat. Over time, the dog learns that noticing a trigger leads to a reward from their handler, encouraging them to glance at the trigger and then turn their attention back to their handler rather than fixating or reacting negatively. LAT is most effective when the dog is kept under threshold, meaning they are aware of the trigger but not so overwhelmed that they begin barking or lunging. Training starts at a comfortable distance keeping the dog below threshold and gradually decreasing proximity as the dog grows more confident. With repetition, dogs begin offering LAT behavior automatically, they see a trigger, glance at it, and then look to their handler for guidance.
Turner Hegmann
2025-06-27 10:41:11
Count answers: 8
The Look At That or LAT game was developed by Leslie McDevitt.
The full instructions for this game are in Leslie’s book Control Unleashed, released in 2007.
Instead of trying to distract your dog BEFORE he sees a dog/trigger, he is rewarded AFTER he sees the dog/trigger.
We use a bridge such as a clicker to be mark the exact moment that he has made eye contact with the trigger, and before he has gone over threshold.
With time, your dog will learn to look at its triggers, and then to orient toward you.
Reward your dog with a tasty treat in front of you (where you want him to orient to).
When your dog is offering the “look” but does not react at the trigger and is re-orientating to you – add a verbal cue.
It could be a short sentence – “show me”, “where’s the dog”, or a simple word “look”, “dog”, “bike” etc.
But remember to be consistent in what you choose.
Jackson O'Kon
2025-06-27 08:39:52
Count answers: 7
It goes like this: see the trigger, mark it, reward, reset.
It’s a back-and-forth that encourages curiosity in place of reactivity.
Each time your dog notices the trigger without freaking out, mark and treat.
You’re basically showing them: Yes, I see you saw that dog, good job not barking, here’s a snack.
Over time, you’ll notice your dog quickly peeking at the trigger and then swiveling back to you, almost like they’re saying, hey, I did the thing, where’s my reward.
Eventually, you don’t need to reward every single glance forever.
But don’t rush to stop.
If your dog’s had major reactivity issues, a high rate of reinforcement can help them stay confident and relaxed.
Over time, you can start treating every other correct response, then every third, and so on.
If a major curveball appears—say, a dog bursts around the corner unexpectedly—feel free to revert to a higher treat rate for that moment.
Think of it like emotional insurance.
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