Introduction to Birds See 3 min. You must ooze confidence and firmness from your body. High-value treats will also help to reward your pup when he does a good job ignoring the birds and to remind him to leave them alone if he wants to continue to earn rewards. This may be as simple as saying her name to keep her attention on you or even holding out a stick for her to chase after. You are an unmovable mountain, whatever image gets you there, when you feel it, your dog will too. Simply hold your dog under the collar and sit with him until he begins to relax. Gradually bring the dog closer to the trigger, rewarding it each time it doesn't react. He loves pets as long as they're on his terms. The key to the desensitization process is to help dogs re-associate previously stressful or highly emotional situations with something calm and positive. It may take a few tries before your dog completely relaxes. My dog has always been reactive to being pet when he's not asking to be pet. What do I do? I love to shoot on this property, and it's important for my dog to be desensitized to gunshots. By blowing on the whistle when he started bird chasing it made him stop in his tracks as he wasn’t used to the noise. We respect this boundary and wait for him to ask to be pet before touching him. There is nothing quite like ruining a quiet weekend morning coffee with a dog barking at your peaceful scenery in the springtime as the birds flit from flower to flower in your blooming garden. We often reinforce anxious behavior without realizing it, which can lead to the backsliding you are seeing. But I kept doing this as terrifying things approached in his space, and finally I got cyclists to help me, by laying down their bikes so I could click and treat the dog for coming closer and closer to it (using circles, again--so valuable! Try the above training by itself first, but if you are still struggling, you probably need a form of interrupter - especially one that will work even when pup can't see you. it’s not his job to protect you from the birds Elisabeth relies on science-based, force-free, and reward-based techniques. Your dog will also need to know By using this service, some information may be shared with YouTube. Hiding, trembling, pulling away from owner and being unable to eat are all symptoms of noise anxiety. I definitely recommend seeing a trainer or behaviorist who specializes in dog reactivity. That way, the vet’s exam won’t feel completely foreign. https://www.animalhumanesociety.org/training/counter-conditioning-and-desensitization, https://www.sanantonio.gov/Portals/0/Files/AnimalCare/dog-care/Calming-Fearful-Dogs.pdf, http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/dogs/tips/fear_thunder_loud_noises.html, http://www.training-your-dog-and-you.com/Desensitizing_and_counter-conditioning.html, http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/dog-care/common-dog-behavior-issues/separation-anxiety. He is terrified of people! As soon as you say "Uh-Oh" take your dog back inside the house. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. If they come towards it, praise them, "Good Rover!" Gradual desensitization calls for the dog to be slowly exposed to their trigger over time, increasing the intensity or proximity of contact with the trigger until it no longer causes your dog’s negative behavior. Try exposing your dog to its trigger from a safe distance. http://www.pamsdogacademy.comSound DesensitizationMany dogs react to various sounds. If you have birdhouses this is even easier to do so he can see the house that is always in the same place, and talk to him about the birds. Give them a treat. I have two 7 year old Jack Russell Terriers that hate the vacuum cleaner and my son's drum set, and attack them whenever they are used. Published: 01/04/2018, edited: 01/08/2021, He barks all the time nothing stops him I'm at the end of my teacher with him birds flies anything my I would say neighbours but I'd say neighbour hood has had enough and so have I please help any advice would be appreciated Sharon and ozzy, Hello Sharon, Notice when your dog is ignoring the birds and give him a treat. Watch your cat very carefully when close to your bird.