TV training

[FrederykBlot]

Hello 

 

I'm not sure what I'm gonna ask is even a thing, but I wonder if there is something to do about dogs and videos like TV 

Loki's playpen is in our guest room, which is also the home cinema room

One time we tried to watch a video in it with him around, and he started attacking the speakers or just staring at the screen

We stopped, as he was clearly feeling incomfortable, and for us too it wasn't enjoyable, as we spent more time doing "Loki control" than enjoying our video

 

My question is : is this something known in training ? Having a dog being able to let the TV (or other video device) run

It's something we will want to do, as we both enjoy movies and tv shows, and also playing video games

 

So we will gonna try to implement "watching video + treating"

starting with short ones , like YouTube videos, and then training "on your mat" and "stay" while we watch

but I'm really not sure what's the correct way

 

 

for now we can enjoy here and there a little episode of something while he naps, but on another TV, but we'd prefer with the projector 

 

Thank you

 

[Adrienne]

Yup, your are on the right track! I like to take a multi-faceted approach.

- Walk your dog before you plan to watch your TV show and then play some engaging games that keep him busy or keep him busy with some fun training sessions. Do this about an hour before watching TV. This may not stop the tv behavior, but will help your dog succeed, as your dog may need to release some steam which will help him be more relaxed. This will also pave the path to a routine where watching TV translates into relaxation and winding-down time.

-Prevent rehearsal of behavior. Here's an important fact about dogs: generally, the more they rehearse problem behaviors, the more these behaviors intensify and put roots making them more difficult to overcome. So if you need to watch a show that you know will evoke the undesirable behavior, you are better off putting Rover in a crate or playpen away from the TV or in another room to enjoy a stuffed Kong or some other safe, long-lasting goodies. Your dog, of course, doesn't have to be secluded in isolation in the farthest room of the house or in the garage or out in the dog house. Instead, try to find a distance from which he is less likely to react and give him something fun to do while he's there so he doesn't get bored and perceive being crated as punishment. This, of course, is just a management plan, while you buy some time as you make future plans to start working on the problem.

-Keep Your Dog Under Threshold Desensitization is a behavior modification plan that entails offering less intense versions of the trigger so that your dog is under threshold. This means making the sights and sounds emitted by the TV less salient so that your dog can better cope with them. If your dog is reactive towards noises emitted by the TV, lower the volume a tad bit. Ideally, your dog should still be able to hear the sounds, but they should not be so salient as to evoke responses such as barking or attacking the speakers. This may take a little bit of experimenting, but it can be tricky as dogs have sensitive ears, and may still be able to hear and react to the most subtle sounds. Investing in some headphones so that you can still watch your shows initially may help. If visual stimuli get your dog barking, keep your dog at a distance from where he doesn't react or reacts considerably less. You might have to keep your dog leashed to you initially or tethered at a distance with something to do as you are sitting on the couch. Most dogs are reactive to both sights and sounds, so distance and lower volume can help lower the threshold. 

-Make Great Things Happen: "Treat the Trigger!" On top of desensitization, you want to start working on counterconditioning. I like to call this game "treat the trigger" as your dog gets a tasty treat every time his trigger pops up. You can start practicing this exercise when you know a show or sound that makes your dog react is about to be aired. Arm yourself with the tastiest treats your dog adores cut into bite-size pieces (or a portion of your dog's meal -kibble in this case- if that's what he likes) and place them in a treat bag. Hold several of them in your hand so that they're ready as needed.

The moment a trigger pops up on the screen before your dog has a chance to react, make a smacking sound with your mouth and toss a treat. Repeat, repeat, and repeat several times. Soon, your dog will make the connection and learn that when his trigger pops up on the screen, he will be getting tasty treats! This fun game allows your dog to, therefore, engage in an alternate behavior other than the barking. On top of that, he gets a nice exercise workout as he gets to chase the tossed treats so that you can cater to his predatory drive in a more productive way too. If you want to add a bit of operant behavior (get your dog to do something), at some point, you can make your smacking sound upon his trigger pops up on the screen and ask your dog to sit, lie down or perform a trick before you toss the treat.

-Teach to Chill on the Mat Yes, training your pup to stay on a mat and keep quiet while you watch your favorite show can turn into an evening routine. Simply place a mat at a distance from the TV, preferably diagonal to it so that it's out of your dog's direct vision. If your dog is not mat trained, you can use an indoor tether, (always under supervision). Provide your dog with something to chew while there such as a stuffed Kong or a bully stick so that your dog is kept occupied while you are watching your favorite show. 

[FrederykBlot]

Thank you for the helpful insights

 

I tried going to watch a video after the walk, and it worked not bad

As you can see in the picture, at least he's settled : he's not in his bed, and still close to the screen / speakers, but he's not attacking anything, not barking in distress to the images

I went safe on this one, and put some scientific YouTube videos (yes, I enjoy them, I'm that kind of a dork :D :D), so I guess there wasn't much trigger

 

On the next one, there may have been some, but I guess it was too noisy, and he was tired, so he went to sleep in another room, I guess in the office

 

We're nowhere near watching a whole movie with him around, but a video here and there, then an episode here and there, and maybe we'll get to the movie soon

 

 

[Adrienne]

That's a big TV! I can see how Loki may find the images and sounds stimulating to trigger a variety of emotions. Glad to see him relaxed enough to lie down so close to it and even take a nap. Great job in finding a channel that keeps him under threshold. 

[FrederykBlot]

No this one is projector, this is the home cinema room / guest room / Loki's pen room :D

 

I reconduct the experience today, he's not attacking, but not comfortable enough to stay in the room for long

At least he manage to settle in another room even if I'm here watching something