I have a five-year-old Westie bitch who has increasingly taken to attacking the television whenever a programme or an advert comes on that has a dog in it (sometimes other animals too) – in fact there is one advert in particular that really sets her off – the Specsavers sheep shearing one! She actually launches herself at the television, barking and growling and trying to paw at the dog or animal. I have tried to use a distraction but to little avail, even the odd food treat when she leaves it alone has no impact; I have even shut her in another room until she calms down as advised by another dog walker. If I put her on the lead she does calm down and settles almost to watch it but I do not want to keep having to do this to her every time I have the television on. Any suggestions would be most welcome!!!
The issue you describe is an increasingly common one, I think this is because TV is becoming more realistic and there are even more dog-related and animal related shows. My dogs and I do enjoy that Specsavers ad!
There are a number of options, one is the process of flooding. This needs to be done very carefully so as not to cause your Westie any stress and also to prevent the issue becoming worse. Initially switch the tv on or that advert specifically if possible. When your Westie reacts, leave the room, leave the advert playing. You should stay out of the room until your Westie comes to see what you are doing. This may not happen immediately. Allow about 10 mins, if after this time of the advert continually playing your Westie is not coming to see you and not calming down you can add to the mix picking up your keys and
behaving as if you are going for a walk. This should attract her attention. As soon as she comes to you make a big fuss of her, go back in the room and turn the TV off. You need to repeat this as much as possible.
Another option is to use noise aversion therapy or a sports water bottle to interrupt your Westie's behaviour. Calmly approach and spray (or squirt) then use a command such as quiet. After a few goes you should find just approaching your Westie will stop her. At this point use the command before you activate the pet corrector or squirt the water. This process is shaping.
Try not to avoid the issue by shutting her out as this may make things worse.
Amy Hatcher, behaviourist
Ha ha. Many years ago when all night TV first started it had an ident of the silhouette of a cat walking along a wall.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately I was looking after a friends house the first time my dog saw it. He was a working Beardie and just jumped at the screen. Fortunately I managed a flying rugby tackle before he hit the screen, the result would have been broken colour TV and video with dog in the middle of the mess.
My solution was to make sure he understood the cats and dogs were not real, have him on lead, let him sniff the screen and take him round the back to show him they weren't 'hiding' there.
Get them in a calm state when you show them and under control eg sitting. You might try a doogie video /DVD to desensitise them, also you know a dog will appear and not catch you by surprise.
You have made me smile and brought back so many memories.