Is there one? Where is IT? How do we access IT? How long will IT stay off? Will IT get worse?
Answers are both negative and positive depending on where you sit. And who is sitting in front of you, hiding from you, or running helter-skelter as the case may be. Erring on the side of positive; let's talk about quiet and calm = our objectives.
Calm is achieved when Animals feel safe in their environment. But, first, we need to know the difference between excitement and fear. "They" say humans cannot tell the difference between these two extremes. The difference is in the 'acting out' = behaviors expressed. Let's leave humans out of this conversation. (We do not have time to argue. And you know there is always an argument when humans try to defend their excesses.) Enough of that!
Sometimes easier to find and study the "ON" switch and discover what triggers that connection creating behavior(s) so we can know what could trigger the "OFF" (thank you for sharing) button / switch!
Begin with observing something easy like the doorbell! Trigger = a sound generating explosive, impulsive actions, reactions, running away, and other kerfuffles unique and special to each Animal. What is similar in each is a buried memory demanding attention and immediate action in the moment... good or bad! New or old. Conscious or deeply buried. What we can agree on is - this is honesty in action. Animals do not fake emotions.
Our job? Watch, wait, assess, keep them safe, and wait some more. Better understand their language as expressed through bodily changes, postures, movements, sounds including vocalizations (barks, chirps, braying) and foot stomping (Horses, Goats, Cows!). In these examples the trigger could be the sound of a feed bucket!
(Reminds me of how to train total recall in your Canine = open a bag of chips, grab the leash, or touch their food bowl.)
This is a long way of saying - hidden in the triggered action is the solution; solving the 'reactivity' problem. See the problem = See its opposite = Encourage positive (re)actions = Solve the problem. ACTIVATE THAT "ON" SWITCH!! Works with leash pulling, resource guarding, inappropriate scratching, pushiness, begging, barking, and MORE!!
Need FAST solution? Here it is = THINKING & TRAINING !!
