Muckyhound Dog Training

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.