Imagine your dog gets spooked or scared by something - maybe it’s the vacuum cleaner, fireworks, traffic or the hairdryer.
Desensitisation is a way to help your dog get used to these “scary things” by exposing them in tiny, non-scary doses. Here’s how you can use it to help your dog.
Step-by-step desensitisation:
Start small: Begin by exposing your dog to a super mild version of the scary thing - so mild that it doesn’t bother them at all. For example, if it’s the vacuum that worries them, you may start with it turned off and far away where they can see it but that it doesn't bother them.Take baby steps: Slowly, over time, you’ll increase the intensity, like moving the vacuum closer or turning it on at a low setting. The key is to do this gradually so your dog stays calm and doesn’t react negatively. To do this you can use recordings of the 'scary' sounds played at very low levels. Alternatively there are special apps you can download or the Dogs Trust have some great free resources on their website.
Watch for negative reactions: If your dog shows any sign of fear or discomfort, stop right away. Let them chill out before trying again, and maybe take it back a few steps to where they were comfortable. The goal is to keep your dog well below their “freak-out” point also known as their threshold.
Go at their pace: Every dog is different, so be patient. Don’t rush the process. Only move to the next level when your dog is absolutely fine with the current one.
Adding in counterconditioning:
To make things even better, you can pair desensitisation with something called counterconditioning. This is where you change your dog’s feelings about the scary thing from “Oh no!” to “Oh yes!”
Pair scary with pawsome: Every time your dog is exposed to the low-intensity scary thing, give them something they love - like their favourite treats, a lick mat, their dinner, a fun game, or lots of cuddles if that's their thing.Create positive associations: Over time, your dog will start to link the scary thing with awesome stuff happening. Instead of being scared, they’ll be like, “Woohoo, the vacuum means it's treat time!”
Adjust for your dog: Depending on what your dog is afraid of, you might need to start with the scary thing further away, quieter, or slower. The idea is to keep it easy enough that your dog can stay happy and relaxed and showing no sign of worry or stress.
By using desensitisation and counterconditioning together, you’re helping your dog slowly build up their confidence and learn that the things that used to scare them can actually be pretty great!
These techniques can also be incorporated into a holistic training plan to help 'reactive dogs' become more comfortable around their triggers.
Living with a reactive dog is tough for dogs and for their humans and getting the right support from a force free dog trainer can help you. Our Reactive Dog Training support package aims to support you both.
You'll work one to one with Karen to better understand the needs of your dog and how you can help them, taking a holistic approach and employing evidence-based, force-free training methods specific to your dog and you.
Find out more about the Reactive Dog Training package.
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