Desensitizing Dogs

Desensitization means to become less sensitive over time to something you do not like.

Desensitization teaches a dog to become less sensitive around other dogs. Counter conditioning changes your dog’s uncontrollable reaction when around something scary (like other dogs). Counter conditioning and desensitization work together as a team. Counter conditioning is used in human and dog behavior to change a negative reaction (barking at a dog) to an accepted behavior (not barking at a dog).

How does desensitization work for dogs?

To begin the process, it’s vital to break the scary or unpleasant thing into tiny pieces, and become less sensitive to one piece at a time. While this seems simple to do, it takes lots of time working within a dog or person’s under threshold. Under threshold refers to maintaining a low level reaction to something scary so your dog can still learn. The term over threshold implies that you have moved too fast and now your dog is barking at the other dogs, animals, people or objects that he is scared of.

Desensitization Examples

Dog barks at other dogs:

1. Move away from other dogs until the dog will look at you instead of other dogs. This is your threshold, or safe distance, and it means your dog is comfortable and not worried that other dogs will get them.
2. When your dog ignores other dogs, click and treat. This is when counter conditioning comes into play, as you are associating yummy treats with other dogs.
3. Move one foot towards other dogs in the distance. Click and treat when dog ignores them.
4. Continue to move slowly until your dog can stand within 3 feet of another dog. Click and treat.

Threshold Examples:

• Dog runs toward your dog and base his safe zone.  Dog becomes scared and barks at other dogs.
• When you move dog too close to other dogs, your dog barks at other dogs.

Desensitization always works for training dogs if done correctly.

When desensitizing your dog, it’s always best to involve a professional dog trainer for the best results. If your dog has moderate to severe reactions, it’s best to partner with a qualified animal behaviorist.

Now it’s your turn. How would you use desensitization when training your dog? I want to hear from you!

READ ALSO: Prevent Resource Guarding