How to address reactivity with moving objects like bikes, wheelchairs and skateboard.
Introduction
Objects such as bikes, wheelchairs, skateboards, and other moving objects can trigger reactive behaviors from dogs, such as barking, lunging, cowering, or chasing. It's important that dogs learn how to maintain a calm, neutral state of mind around these objects to ensure the safety of them, their handlers, and other people.
Common Misconceptions
- It's important to confront the dog's fear. This is not the case. Forcing a dog to interact with an object they are afraid of can make the fear worse. It is important to start slowly and gradually expose the dog to the object in a controlled environment.
- Once the dog is exposed to the object a few times, they will be fine. This is not always the case. Some dogs may need more time and patience to overcome their fear of objects. It is important to be patient and consistent with training, and to never force the dog to do anything they are not comfortable with.
- There is no cure for object reactivity. This is not true. With the right training and management, most dogs can learn to tolerate and even ignore moving objects.
Object Desensitization - Video Walkthrough
Steps to Address
Teaching Phase:
- Start with the object stationary. This could be a bike, wheelchair, skateboard, or other moving object.
- Place your dog on a leash and collar.
- Allow your dog to sniff, explore, or walk around the object. Mark and reward for any interaction with the object.
- When the dog is comfortable with the object stationary, begin slowly moving the object around the dog. Movements should be brief and subtle as to not overwhelm the dog. Mark and reward for calm, appropriate behavior.
Reinforcing Phase:
- Once the dog is comfortable with the object being moved around, you can start to stage the realistic movement of the object. This could involve having someone ride a bike, push a stroller, or use a wheelchair in front of your dog.
- Use basic obedience commands to manage the dog's behavior as the object moves around. For example, you could ask your dog to sit or stay while the object moves past them.
- Mark and reward for calm, appropriate behavior. Correct inappropriate behavior such as barking, lunging, or fixation.
- Do not allow the dog to run from or panic around the object. If the dog appears overwhelmed, simplify the training session by slowing the movement of the object, or by working further away from the object.
Proofing Phase:
- Once the dog is comfortable with the object being moved around in a controlled environment, you can start to take them to more public places where they will encounter moving objects. For example, you could take them to a park, a busy street, or a shopping mall.
- Use basic obedience commands to manage the dog's behavior around moving objects in public.
- Mark and reward for obedient/appropriate behavior. Correct disobedient or inappropriate behavior.
- Be patient and consistent with the training. It may take time for your dog to generalize their training and be comfortable with moving objects in all different environments.
Maintenance Phase:
- The dog should accept and tolerate moving objects nearby with little to no fixation or escalation. Corrections should be infrequent.
- Continue to practice the training exercises regularly to maintain the dog's progress.
- Be aware of triggers that could cause the dog to regress, and be prepared to intervene if necessary.
Case Studies
Here are a few case studies of dogs who have successfully overcome object reactivity:
- Case Study 1: A dog named Sparky was afraid of skateboards. Whenever he saw a skateboard, he would bark, lunge, and try to chase it. His owner started by exposing Sparky to a skateboard that was not moving. When Sparky was calm and relaxed around the stationary skateboard, his owner started to move it slowly. Sparky would still bark and lunge at first, but his owner was patient and consistent with the training. Eventually, Sparky learned to tolerate the moving skateboard and even let his owner ride it around him.
- Case Study 2: A dog named Bella was afraid of wheelchairs. She would bark and growl at wheelchairs, and she would even try to bite them. Her owner started by exposing Bella to a wheelchair that was not moving. When Bella was calm and relaxed around the stationary wheelchair, her owner started to move it slowly. Bella would still bark and growl at first, but her owner was patient and consistent with the training. Eventually, Bella learned to tolerate the moving wheelchair and even let her owner push it around her.
Pet Parent Coaching Tips
Here are a few tips for pet parents who are working on object desensitization with their dogs:
- Be patient and consistent. It may take time and patience for your dog to overcome their fear of objects. Do not get discouraged if your dog does not make progress immediately. Just keep training and rewarding them for calm behavior, and eventually they will learn to tolerate the object.
- Start slowly and gradually increase the exposure. Do not overwhelm your dog by exposing them to the object too quickly or too much. Start with short, gradual exposures, and gradually increase the duration and intensity of the exposures over time.
- Use positive reinforcement. When your dog is calm and relaxed around the object, mark and reward them with a treat or praise. This will help them associate the object with positive experiences.
Conclusion
Object desensitization is a process of gradually exposing a dog to a feared object in a controlled environment until they learn to tolerate it. This can be a helpful way to address reactivity in dogs, and it can help them feel more comfortable and safe in their environment.
If you are concerned about your dog's reactivity to moving objects, it is important to seek professional help from a certified dog trainer or behaviorist. They can help you create a training plan that is tailored to your dog's specific needs and help you overcome your dog's fear of objects.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Q: How long does it take to desensitize a dog to objects?
A: The amount of time it takes to desensitize a dog to objects can vary depending on the dog's individual personality and the severity of their fear. However, most dogs will see some improvement within a few weeks of consistent training. - Q: What if my dog is too scared to even approach the object?
A: If your dog is too scared to even approach the object, you can start by desensitizing them to a smaller, less threatening version of the object. For example, if your dog is afraid of bikes, you could start by desensitizing them to a picture of a bike. Once they are comfortable with the picture, you can move on to a toy bike, and then a real bike.