How do you desensitize a fearful dog?
Nakia Jaskolski
2025-08-14 02:58:01
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: 24
Desensitization is a behavior modification technique in which you purposely and gradually expose your pet to a stimulus that has triggered a fear response. The stimulus is always controlled, starting at a very low level, so that your pet does not experience fear or display signs of stress. Over several sessions, you gradually increase the intensity of the stimulus, as long as there is no sign of fear. Manage the distance from the trigger, beginning far away and gradually getting closer. If the trigger is a noise, adjust the volume, going from low to high. If the trigger is a moving object, such as a bicycle, change the speed at which it moves, working from slow to fast. Break the trigger up into components: Some triggers are composed of multiple parts, such as sound, motion, sight, and smell. For example, if your pet is afraid of the vacuum cleaner, begin with the vacuum turned off and stationary. Counterconditioning is a behavior modification technique in which you pair something that causes a negative emotional response with something known to create a positive emotional response in your pet. Tasty food treats are commonly used to create a positive emotional state. Favored rewards are paired with each exposure to the negative stimulus, such that the feared person, pet, noise, or situation predicts delicious treats or a favorite toy.
Albert Mayert
2025-08-01 04:37:10
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: 22
It is our job to work with them, to show them that what they may perceive as scary or a threat is, in fact, safe. I was able to safely and slowly introduce him to this new thing and help him recover from this fear within about 45 minutes. After positively and patiently introducing him, he was now desensitized to this scary new thing. Desensitizing can help not only overcome fear but build confidence going forward. Desensitizing can be done at any age. Certain things, like touch, are useful before introducing a dog to children, ensuring your dog can tolerate being pet the wrong way, having their legs touched, tail touched, ears tugged, etc, will create a sound dog. As your dog grows, they will go through periodic stages of irrational fear, this stage is the most important time to build confidence, desensitize and help them overcome their fear.
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