A desensitization/behavior-modification program has some specific requirements. I believe it's best initially to use a training set-up rather than wait for life to just happen and hope to respond to that.

By training set-up, I mean that the owner/handler arranges in advance precisely what elements will be present, what environmental factors will come into play, and precisely what he or she will do. Perhaps schedule help from a private instructor or fellow classmate from an obedience class or club -- one who has a really mellow laid-back dog. Then arrange to meet at an ideal setting, such as a large fenced-in field, perhaps at the training center. Or one could do this first trial at desensitization at any field or fenced yard, provided that neither dog had a strong territorial aggressive attitude toward that fenced yard.

Then one would do that distance gig! <LOL> Set up the situation so that friend with other dog approaches from far away, perhaps walking at an angle to the path that your own dog would walk. It's important, you see, not to confront your own dog with another unfamiliar dog walking straight towards it. You simply want your dog to see another dog in the distance, a dog that isn't bothering it in any way.

Then as the student dog first glimpses the other dog off in the distance, that's the time to hand feed your dog some small pieces of high value luscious food treats. Stay about 5 to 10 seconds, and then turn your dog around and leave. The brief exposure is important. Also important is to avoid working in an area where the other environmental factors may be overwhelming, for instance where a bunch of guys are mowing lawns.

After a few such trials day after day, then you may begin to loosen the criteria because by now your dog will be ready to understand the plan. Look at other dog, check in with Mom, making loving eye contact, nudge Mom for a treat! Or twenty. Turn around with Mom and leave the area.

Okay, now the student dog is beginning to *get it.* Hurray. After that you can work additional practices into a daily schedule of normal living. Just remember to take advantage of any teaching opportunity. Capitalize on it. When glancing our your window, if you spot another dog way off in the distance down the sidewalk, grab your dog's leash and your treat bag and head right outdoors together. Look for such small opportunities every day.

Look for opportunities also in which one or more environmental factors have changes. Perhaps seeing another dog at the same time a teenager is riding by on a bicycle. A next progression would be to take a walk in another location or three or five. At this point, you see, we're loosening up on the environmental factors over which we have control. The picture is starting to resemble "Real Life," just not quite so overwhelming as having six strange dogs race up and lunge at yours. Whew.

Now aside from all the desensitization stuff, you may absolutely integrate teaching ideas into daily life with your dog. In fact, I encourage it. Plan to teach some sits, sit-stays, down, down-stays, stand, stand-stays. Plan to teach "wait." Any of the obedience skills required for a CD have application in daily life.

Even more than that, condition your dog to accept safe, kindly handling by you and by other adults in your household.

Then gradually add one other adult friend to the picture. Perhaps it will be someone who would care for your dog during your absence. Any of these people should be able to walk the dog politely on lead, have the dog get into the car with them and lie down nicely, or be able to take the dog to the vet clinic, the boarding kennel or to the groomer.

Dogs don't learn these skills by osmosis, just by living in our houses. We have to teach them step by step. Yet, of course, everyone is busy. For instance, you could teach your dog to down-stay while the family eats dinner. You could teach your dog to "wait" back near or on its doggie bed or mat when a guest comes to the door.

All of that is just the beginning.

© 8/01/2002 Barbara D. Brill, North Chili, NY  Email address: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it All rights reserved. No further reproduction permitted without express written consent.