It is not always easy to find technical terms to describe the many facial expressions of our dogs. There are about a hundred that I can think of: Aggressive (ears back, teeth bared, eyes lowering), submissive (ears down or relaxed, eyes soft and directed elsewhere). The remainder of the 98 expressions mean, “Are you going to eat the rest of that?”
Desensitization is a term that you should be able to make great use of. Dogs can – from experience or from hyper-sensitivity – become afraid of certain noises. Thunder is a common trigger. Sudden loud noises, truck backfires, trains and even the house vacuum cleaner can send the dog into a frightened state. The object of desensitization is to stop the dog from responding with fear from the particular stimulus that is causing it.
First, train the dog to lie down. Work over a period of weeks until the down can be sustained calmly for 15 minutes. You do this to assure control when the dog wants to act out. Do the exercise in the same room on the same mat to eliminate the stress of different environments. Every 15 seconds, give him a tiny food reward that he really likes. Giving a reward he is lukewarm to is like no reward at all. Gradually work the time up to every few minutes for a reward.
When this training is completed and successful, you may move on to the second stage. If possible use a recording of the offensive sound. A recording allows you to have the sound at hand and you can use the sound at a low volume to begin. Put the dog into a down and then introduce the sound at a low volume. Reward the dog only for remaining quiet and calm. Should he break the down, put him back into it and repeat the sound until he can stay calm at the low volume. Gradually over a few weeks, increase the volume until it is at a level it would be as naturally occurring. Always reward compliance and calm.
If a setback occurs, go back to a level he can tolerate and stay a little longer at that level.
Never soothe the dog when he shows fear. That behaviour will assure the dog that there is indeed something to be afraid of. Plus, he gets a reward (your affection and concern) when he is afraid which will cause him to repeat the behaviour.
We want our dogs to be part of the family and able to handle the normal sounds of urban or rural living. Young pups should be exposed gently to common but perhaps frightening sounds that are a part of their environment. Identify those sounds and expose the pup calmly as you go about your day. Keep in mind that the good trainer always has an intuitive handle on the dog. He knows when the stress is too much and he will then reduce or relieve the pressure. This is a caution against rushing to get the job done.
Puppies can go through periods where they are just not interested in training. Taking a couple of weeks off can sometimes bring a new enthusiasm for the work.
Ravinn O. West is kennelmaster and trainer at Ravendale Kennel and Training Centre at Cochrane, Alberta. Her latest book, The Tao of Dogs is available from www.ravinnwest.com. You may send questions or comments to her via [email protected].
