21/11/2023
Thank you ABC Dogs
Window reactivity....highly problematic and stressful for everyone. This "game" is responsible for high levels of anxiety and stress to many dogs.
Barking is NOT the only sign your dog is being stressed by this repeated action....it is just that barking is far more noticeable to some people.....the anxiety/stress started a long time before.
Many dogs will wait and wait and wait......finally they are "rewarded" for that fixation with a fleeting glimpse of whatever they react to.
People
Cars
Dogs
Birds
Neighbours
Cycles
Wind moving a tree....there are many individual triggers.
They may race around the house in a pattern to another window to view and react again......then when out of view, back to the original spot to wait...and wait some more.
This IS a highly damaging "game" for dogs.
Many people with anxious dogs may not actually realise their dogs do this when they are out of the house.....as it may not happen when you or the family are home.
You may have a highly anxious dog but are completely unsure why. Set up a camera and watch while you are gone for a few hours.
There are many ways to help this.
Baby gates.
These limit movement and are one solution (but easily jumped by larger dogs).
The "easiest" solution is window film.....not a popular solution for some people. Blinds and curtains are often ineffective as dogs will position themselves to watch through/under or around them. Watch the height of chairs your dog may use to peer over the film....think about ways to prevent that, you may need to move furniture around.
Aesthetically it may not be appealing for some, or the film has to be incredibly high if the triggers are birds. Some people are reluctant to use film as a solution especially if they have a fantastic view..... but make no mistake.....this very rarely gets better by itself.
It can also get a WHOLE lot worse.
Reactivity can morphs outwards and what once was a reaction to dogs passing has now involved birds also....or cars....or cars and now cyclists and people.
The film may work well for some but there is a big caution sign at the bottom of the graphic.....for a small amount of dogs blocking view can be incredibly stressful....and a SMALL amount of dogs can find themselves in an even MORE stressful environment.
Try the film....it can be a miracle solution but PLEASE get a trainer in if this causes other issues.
Highly stressed dogs need help quickly.
Enjoy the difference and peace...because your dog absolutely will.
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