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How to desensitise a reactive dog Identify the trigger. Reactive dogs are not all the same. What sets your dog off? ... Controlled exposure below threshold. Reactive dogs are responding to an emotional stimulus. ... Repetition and generalisation. Repeat this positive exposure exercise often.

Exposure therapy can be helpful in desensitising reactive dogs to their triggers. Start by exposing your dog to the trigger at a distance where they feel comfortable and reward calm behaviour with treats and praise.

In a nutshell, the major key to helping rehabilitate a reactive dog is using desensitization and counter-conditioning through short, managed (i.e. working in a purposely chosen public space where you know you have several available exits and other dogs are on leash), if not controlled (i.e. working in a non-public ...

Through prolonged exposure therapy, the dog then realizes there are no actual threats. The dog, therefore, becomes calm and no longer associates the negative response to that stimulus in future. Respondent conditioning is the method through which classical conditioning works.

Often, owners of reactive dogs will keep them inside or away from other dogs, and the situation might seem helpless, which only exacerbates the problem. Luckily, reactive dogs are trainable with the correct methods and a bit of understanding mixed with patience.

By allowing your dog to observe their trigger at this low intensity (and providing them extra yummy treats at the same time), we're allowing their mild feelings of concern to dissipate – instead of escalating into a full-blown stress response – and be replaced with feelings of relaxation.