Barking Mad Day 3

Day 3 - Desensitization/CounterConditioning

We learned about examining and managing the environment so now we are going to learn about using reinforcement correctly to make learning easier for our dogs. We know that if our dog is experiencing a high level of arousal, based on fear or over-excitement, their listening ears turn off. It can seem like they are being stubborn or defiant, but in reality they are not in a state where they are able to process anything around them except for what they are hyper focused on. We can stand there and yell at them as much as we want, but they are not capable of doing as we asked. YET!

Desensitization & Counter Conditioning are the science terms we use to describe the needed training. You may often see this abbreviated as DS/CC in training materials. To simplify, this involves providing positive reinforcement (+R) to change the dog’s emotional opinion of something. If a dog is fearful of cats, like Azul was, the process involves watching cats at a distance so that the dog can stay calm enough to enjoy the +R. Then with practice, and lots of +R that distance slowly shrinks until the dog is no longer demonstrating the fearful response. If a dog is over-excited by cats, like Nick was, the goal of training is to help the dog become more neutral around the trigger. Of course, this is a quick & simple explanation of the process. We have more info available in the Confident Canines Class and several other resources.

When it comes to reinforcement we have to make sure that what we are providing is something the dog really wants. It’s easiest for us humans to reinforce with food so today’s game will involve a high value food. Often dogs find movement and teamwork more reinforcing than food. So our game is going to involve all 3 things; high value food, movement, and simple teamwork skills.

To begin with, you are going to play this game in the environment from day 1, where your dog is likely to bark at a distraction, only we are going to play without any distractions in the environment. This is why it’s important to pick your training environment wisely!  We don’t want to start at the park where unexpected distractions may pop up. We want to practice at home or in the backyard or driveway where we can somewhat predict and/or control those distractions. Distance away from the distraction is key so we also need room to be able to move away to increase that distance.

Today’s Game:

To begin the game, walk with your dog to the distraction zone, such as the window, then present your high value food and immediately turn to walk away. You may need to wave that food under your dog’s nose and luring them away from the area. With some practice you will be able to get them to follow a hand target to move away instead of luring them with food.

Once you get to a safe distance, you can scatter the pieces of food on the floor. This activates the dog’s seeking system, which is likely to be way more reinforcing to your dog. 

If your dog does not find any food reinforcing OR you are opposed to tossing food on the floor, you can play this game with a special toy as well.

Practice this game, for 1-5 minutes at a time, up to 3 sessions per day until it becomes very easy. Then you can slowly add in distractions. If your dog is afraid of the garbage truck, don’t start there! First add in a distraction you can control such as a family member returning home that can text you with an ETA so you are prepared. Then slowly add in distractions until you are able to play the game around your dog’s biggest distraction. (This could take days, weeks, or months!)

One more thing! When you are playing this game, you want to remain as quiet as possible! We want to avoid telling our dogs to STOP barking. You can say your dog’s name to get their attention or use a distraction marker noise that you have previously trained with +R.

Here is a video of Belle playing this game.

Today’s Video Tip:

It seems that most of us have a phone on us or near us 24/7, which makes for easy recording. But sometimes our phone may not be the easiest or only option. We can get creative to come up with alternative recording devices! Occasionally I may want 2 angles of a training session so I may set up both a phone and tablet in different locations. An old phone also has the ability to record and transfer videos to a laptop or online storage if you have Wi-Fi. 

There are also more unusual ways to record such as using a security system. Cindy has security cameras on her dog’s crates to be able to check on the dogs when she is not home. Another client used her Ring Doorbell camera to record how they exited the house and loaded up in the car. Penny often likes to start a zoom to record a training session while having a bigger screen to see what is in focus. Look around to see what unusual options you have available.

Today’s Video: Set up a video camera to record a training session playing today’s game!

After you record, wait about an hour or longer to watch the video and see if you notice anything you would like to change before you play the game next time. You can share the video in the FB Group if you would like some training feedback.