Helping our dogs get used to the world is a really important part of living with dogs. Our dogs inhabit a world that is more complex than ever. In urban areas, they are surrounded by noisy machines and dense numbers of dogs and people. It’s not much different in the countryside. Pre-emptive desensitisation Desensitisation can…
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Desensitisation can be a very useful tool if your dog is struggling. How effective it is depends very much on their problem. When we desensitise our dogs to the world, we are helping them get used to things that cause emotional responses from them. Often, this is things that make our dog feel fearful and…
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Desensitisation is a tool that may of us use in dog training. It can be used preventively, but it can also be used when our dogs have become sensitive to the world around them. But why does desensitisation work? And, more importantly, what kind of things does it work with? Are there places where it…
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Desensitisation is a technique used in many situations where our dogs get sensitive to things that they’d normally cope with. This can be to noises, like fireworks or traffic. It can also be to people or even to other dogs. Most people start off with a dog trainer or behaviour consultant to help them. Whether…
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Desensitisation is a technique that can help you if your dog is sensitive to the world around them. This is especially true if they are struggling with anxiety. For example, your dog may be very sensitive to you picking up your keys and they may start to panic. Perhaps they notice a strange appear over…
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Many trainers will suggest using a method known as desensitisation if you have a dog who barks and lunges. If you’ve ever thought that your dog could just do with ‘getting used’ to things, then this technique is for you. Many guardians use this method of gentle exposure. Sometimes they do so alongside other training…
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When we think of impulse control in dogs, many of us will think of the behavioural choices our dogs will make. We think of those ‘big’ behaviours. Perhaps they are quick off the mark. Maybe they react with more intensity than is required in the situation. Impulse control also relates to attentional processes too. We…
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When our dogs bark and lunge at other dogs or at people passing by, it can be very confusing. They may also struggle with other animals or vehicles, wanting to chase them and even grab them. It’s confusing because the narrative we have often been led to believe is that our dogs are fearful or…
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Many dogs bark and lunge on walks. Sometimes they react to other dogs they see, perhaps even barking from the car. Other dogs struggle with unfamiliar humans they encounter, barking at people who approach them. Some dogs also struggle with moving vehicles, wildlife, livestock or other things. It’s not uncommon for some dogs to struggle…
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Ruling out frustration and impulsivity when working with dogs who bark and lunge is vital. Many dogs in the Western world have been selected for responsiveness and trainability. When we selected dogs to help us hunt, protect flocks or protect our property, we certainly wouldn’t have wanted dogs who were slow off the mark. A…
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