Is Your Dog a Chicken? The Art of Desensitization
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In this episode of Off Leash and Unfiltered, Kati Peppe—owner of Diamond K9 Dog Training in Biddeford, Maine—explains a clear plan for helping nervous, flighty, or overwhelmed dogs. The core idea: use voluntary exposure so the dog chooses to stay with the trigger long enough to learn it’s safe. With obedience, accountable follow-through, and calm, neutral handling, you’ll use distance, timing, and pressure–release leash work to replace panic with confidence.
Episode Highlights
- Voluntary exposure, defined: The dog isn’t dragged or soothed; they’re not actively fleeing while the trigger is present.
- Reliability first, then accountability: Teach the command well, then add fair consequences for breaking it so staying put “wins.”
- Safety matters: Use a properly fitted prong collar with a safety clip to a flat collar, short loose leash, and (early on) a long line.
- Neutral beats nurturing: Keep praise low-key; don’t comfort or “it’s okay” an anxious state—avoid fueling arousal.
- Distance & timing: Start where it’s challenging but doable, release at strategic moments (e.g., eyes break from the trigger), then inch closer over reps.
- Pressure–release: If panic hits, hold steady, say little, and relax the leash the instant the dog stops resisting—then move on.
- Frequency over intensity: Many short, frequent sessions desensitize faster (think nail-trim practice) than rare marathon attempts.
- Real life happens: Sometimes you can’t stage it (traffic, elevators). Stick to calm patterns; don’t drag—let the dog choose to move with you.
Minute-by-Minute Breakdown
- 00:30 – Who we are: Diamond K9 (Biddeford, ME); e-collar obedience & behavior work.
- 01:34 – Case: board-and-train dog “uncomfortable existing”; desensitization on the brain.
- 02:45 – Most dogs have something; from “doesn’t like vacuums” to major flight risks.
- 04:32 – The key concept: voluntary exposure (not actively avoiding) creates change.
- 05:29 – Build reliability, then add accountability; keep the leash until the flight response is gone.
- 06:54 – Tools & setup: long line for safety; motivating e-collar levels once training is clear.
- 07:45 – Choice architecture: staying beats breaking command; “magic” happens when they see they survive the trigger.
- 08:59 – Release strategy: choose the first head turn/eye break; reinforce calm patterns.
- 12:42 – Start at distance; push difficulty gradually as tolerance grows.
- 15:02 – Don’t excite or soothe; arousal fuels fear. Use flat, neutral praise at most.
- 19:16 – Feelings can lie—act rationally for the dog’s long-term good.
- 24:09 – Why frequency matters (nail-trim example); prevent regression between reps.
- 25:37 – Board-and-train advantage: lots of reps fast; front-load the learning.
- 29:11 – The protocol in practice: quiet presence, leash safety, timed releases, no coddling.
- 30:20 – If obedience isn’t installed yet: use prong pressure–release without commands.
- 31:32 – Fitting & handling: prong high/snug, safety clip, short but loose leash, relaxed arms.
- 38:03 – Full panic plan: stop, stay quiet, hold pressure; release the instant the dog softens, then walk on.
- 42:52 – Pattern learning: fleeing either works or it doesn’t—be consistent so walking with you is the easy choice.
- 47:07 – Real-world constraints (elevators/traffic): you can’t always stage it—still avoid dragging.
- 48:42 – On/off leash pressure to beat “brakes”; don’t stop with the dog—release only when they move.
- 52:16 – “Stand and marinate”: sometimes just existing with the trigger is the session.
- 54:47 – It may look messy today and better tomorrow—learning consolidates between sessions.