How do you desensitize a reactive dog?
Franz Russel
2025-06-27 13:28:22
Count answers: 5
All the R+ videos that I watched and practiced to eventually reduce my dogs' reactivity have included various trainings which involves my dogs to be exposed to other dogs with enough distance and safety precautions. I do see some success in my dogs as I do take them to my local pet supplies stores during non busy hours and they are happily able to take treats from strangers and show progress. Where can I find a fenced area that is full of dogs but also have enough outdoor space for my dogs to be away at least 100ft from the fence to practice desensitization other than a dog park. If there's an area please let me know I'd take my dogs as often as possible to train them. I have called almost all positive reinforcement/force free trainers in my vicinity and asked them this specific question, and even offered to pay additional fee for either incorporating a helper dog or bringing my dogs to their training facility but everyone insisted that all the work will be done in my residence. I can't even do a look at me training at a distance because people bring their dog unleashed into our local park and since those dogs aren't trained all I can do is literally remove myself and my canines while hoping that those dogs won't follow us.
Madaline Prohaska
2025-06-27 11:59:54
Count answers: 11
Most dogs don’t want to fight, so they display a number of behaviors designed to prevent it. These distance-increasing behaviors includes barking, lunging, or growling — anything to make the threat go away. Unfortunately, a tight leash tells your dog you're stressed, making your pup more stressed in return. As a result, both dogs may start barking, switching from their flight instinct, to fight. Many people correct their dog for any perceived display of aggression. Some may force them to sit or lie down in an approaching dog’s path thinking this will help correct the behavior.
Monserrate Kiehn
2025-06-27 10:39:23
Count answers: 11
Working to change a dog’s emotional response to their triggers is one of the most important parts of a behavior modification program, and it’s done through a process called Counterconditioning & Desensitization. Counterconditioning & Desensitization (CC/DS) uses principles of classical conditioning to change the emotional responses our dogs have to their triggers, from negative, to neutral or positive. Remember, no negative feelings, no more reactions! The sweet spot for Counterconditioning & Desensitization is when your dog is just at threshold in relation to their trigger. By allowing your dog to observe their trigger at this low intensity, and providing them extra yummy treats at the same time, we’re allowing their mild feelings of concern to dissipate – instead of escalating into a full-blown stress response – and be replaced with feelings of relaxation. With repetition, the presence of a trigger at that intensity will no longer cause even mild concern. The goal with controlled CC/DS sessions is to extinguish any negative emotional responses to the trigger at the current level of intensity, before moving on and increasing the level of intensity.