Learning the Stay Cue | Teacher's Pet With Victoria Stilwell

Training clip for the week

To carry on from yesterday's topic of Sensitisation we are travelling south to the tip of Africa where we are going to take a look at Animal Behaviourist, Cara Williams', input on the topic:

Aim for Habituation not Sensitisation.

by Cara Williams MA - Animal Behaviourist

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HabituationWhen we teach our animal companion to not be fearful of novel, possibly threatening situations or objects, we are using habituation. By gradually presenting the situation/object so as at no time is the animal's fear reinforced, the animal learns that it is 'ok'. Habituation requires:

• The gradual presentation of the situation/object
• It be carried out in a variety of different environments and contexts.
• The situation/object to be presented often so the animal does not revert to his original fearful response.

Our animal companions can be habituated to various situations that they need to encounter on a regular basis.

Horses can become habituated to:

• People
• Other animals (dogs, cows, pigs, sheep).
• Veterinarian procedures
• Hoses
• Trailers
• Rugs etc

Dogs can become habituated to:

• People
• Other animals (dogs, sheep, cats).
• Veterinarian procedures
• Grooming
• Cars
• Hoovers etc

Cats can become habituated to:

• People
• Dogs
• Veterinarian procedures
• Being groomed etc

Sensitisation Sensitisation is the opposite of habituation. When our animal companion is sensitised to a situation/object, the more it is presented the more fearful he becomes. This is because the fear is reinforced through, for example, pain or surprise. As far as the animal is concerned, the fearful response is justified and so the response strengthens. Sensitisation not only causes the animal to be fearful of the particular situation/object in any environment, when the animal is sensitised he reacts fearfully to other aspects of the environment and his ability to learn or listen to you is reduced. If the rules of habituation are ignored, we risk our animals becoming sensitised to that we want him to accept as being safe.

We are in the midst of a thunder storm. Not very common in Wexford Ireland. Sensitisation is one of the topics that we are currently covering in the Train the Dog Trainer course, and having not one but two dogs that is showing all the classic signs of Sensitisation and most probably you yourself have a dog or know of a dog suffering from this quite common phenomenon I think it appropriate to focus a little on the subject. 

What causes a dog to show such strong reaction to stimuli such as thunder. Sensitisation is a reaction to stimuli, where in most, but no all circumstances the dog will become accustomed to the noise (habituation) it does happen that some dog's senses increase to the stimuli and extreme levels of fear can be experienced. Continued exposure to the stimuli will not decrease reaction, habituate, but instead the dog's reaction becomes more extreme. 

At this precise moment of time I cannot continue on the topic of sensitisation as I am trying to calm the two dogs (the thunder storm has increased in intensity) and I have three horses that may or may not need to be calmed as well. However, I will get back to the topic and have a look at what can be done to prevent is from occurring in the first place and what we can do to try and diminish the effects.  

As of yesterday, and for the next two years, I am a certified Canine First Responder. I hope I never have to use my newly acquired skill, but should I need to I am confident that I can give on the spot first aid. 

Canine Assistants

Amazing dogs and well worth taking the time to watch this clip

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Having had a dog that lost his sight I know just how valuable the advice in this link is.http://www.cesarsway.com/dog-care/senior-dog/Preparing-a-Dog-that-is-Going-Blind-or-Deaf?utm_source=BlueHornet&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Aug12NL_2