Out of Dogs Sight, Out of Dogs Mind

One of the most effective ways you can help reduce unwanted reactivity from your dog, is to take the stimulus out of view.  Dogs who have direct access to the front fence or a front window where they can see passers by often develop a habit of playing sentry duty.

For some dogs this can even become obsessive.  Sheep tracks in the front yard (or on your couch) and complaints from the local postal worker might bring it to your attention if you haven’t seen it first hand.  Whilst it’s not always practical to build a new ‘block the view’ fence, it may be possible to contain the dog in a back yard rather than having access to everywhere on your property. Naturally your pooch still has his unrivalled sense of smell and fabulous eyesight (especially for moving things).  But if he can’t see the cat passing on the other side of the road he won’t be as agitated.  Indoor it might be as simply as a better window covering or drawing a blind while you are out.

When you are on walks try to anticipate those things that may set him/her off.  Perhaps it is dogs in the house on the corner or a cyclist who passes at a certain time. You can try going another way around or even increasing distance between yourselves and the stimulus.  Desensitization involves treating the dog with the stimulus far away and gradually moving closer in stages until the dog no longer reacts.  This can be worked with both visual and audible stimulus.

 Leah & Angela OMeara

Hound Dog Day Care (Specialists in Dog Minding & Dog Boarding, Pet Sitting Brisbane & Doggy Day Care Brisbane)