The Look At That Game, otherwise known as LAT
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. The book has the aim of promoting focus and building confidence in your dog.
The program is now available as both a book and DVD set. You can purchase these through Leslie’s website at http://www.controlunleashed.net/ or visit www.dogwise.com – search “control unleashed”
I highly recommend that you purchase the book or DVD as Leslie’s products also contain several other useful games to help focus your dog.
Below is a quick summary
The main points:
The program is now available as both a book and DVD set. You can purchase these through Leslie’s website at http://www.controlunleashed.net/ or visit www.dogwise.com – search “control unleashed”
I highly recommend that you purchase the book or DVD as Leslie’s products also contain several other useful games to help focus your dog.
Below is a quick summary
The main points:
- 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.
- For this to work, it is important that you work below your dog’s threshold – so he doesn’t need to react.
- Reward your dog with a tasty treat in front of you (where you want him to orient to).
- If your dog is over threshold, start with a neutral object (toy/spot/cup) etc, and teach them to look at this first.
- Think about how you dispense your food – in higher state of arousal – dogs can turn in to croc-o-dogs and it may be easier, more novel for them, and safer for you to dispense from a squeeze can – kong paste,, sauce bottle, or use a wooden spoon – lick a paste, baby food, or even dispense the reward on the ground in front of you.
- 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.
Problems:
Please if you are having concerns, consult a qualified reward based trainer, or veterinary behaviourist.
McDevitt, L. (2007). Control unleashed. South Hadley, MA: Clean Run Productions LLC.
Overall, K., 2013. Manual of clinical behavioral medicine for dogs and cats. 1st ed. St. Louis, MO: Elsevier.
- If your dog becomes fixated on the trigger, and begins to stare, and does not re-orientate when you click for looking, he is heading over threshold. Increase distance or stop for the day, use a barrier, move away or have the trigger move away.
- If the dog has reacted, increase the distance and ask for some basic cues – sit, hand target etc. Finish on a good note.
Please if you are having concerns, consult a qualified reward based trainer, or veterinary behaviourist.
McDevitt, L. (2007). Control unleashed. South Hadley, MA: Clean Run Productions LLC.
Overall, K., 2013. Manual of clinical behavioral medicine for dogs and cats. 1st ed. St. Louis, MO: Elsevier.
