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What
LAT, or "Look At That," is an exercise developed by certified dog behaviour consultant Leslie McDevitt. It helps reactive or anxious dogs manage triggers by encouraging them to observe them calmly rather than react. It was not intended to be a standalone exercise; instead, it is part of a larger counter-conditioning framework.
How
- Start with an object behind your back. Show it to your dog. When they look at the object, move it behind your back again so the dog looks at you, then mark and reinforce. After a few repetitions, add a verbal cue, such as "What's that?" a second before you show them the object.
- Choose a quiet location where you can maintain a safe distance from a potential trigger (like a person walking, a moving object, or another dog). Your dog should be calm enough to remain under threshold.
- Identify the trigger, and as the trigger appears, in your dog's line of sight. While your dog is still calm and before they react, use your marker to mark the moment they look at it.
- Reinforce after marking, encouraging your dog to look back at you after looking at the trigger.
- With practice, your dog will start to look at the trigger and then look back at you, expecting a reward. The goal is for the dog to acknowledge the trigger without reacting, and instead to look to you for the treat.
- Once your dog consistently looks at the trigger and then back at you, you can start to add a cue, like "look" or "what's that," just before the dog sees the trigger. Over time, this can help the dog associate the trigger with a positive outcome.
- Practice in new environments: Once your dog understands the game, slowly practice in new locations with different triggers. Keep sessions short and fun.
- Know when to stop: If your dog becomes stressed or over-stimulated, end the session. It's better to end on a positive note and try again another day. Never push your dog beyond their comfort level.
