Open Bar, Closed Bar

The Open Bar/Closed Bar (OB/CB) technique, developed by renowned trainer Jean Donaldson, is a powerful and gentle way to help dogs feel better about things they’re scared of—like the vacuum cleaner, hair dryer, or even a brush. It uses classical conditioning, the same kind of learning that helped Pavlov’s dogs drool when they heard a bell.

Here’s how it works:

• When the “scary thing” shows up (like the vacuum), a stream of delicious treats begins—this is the Open Bar, just like at a party or a buffet!

• When the scary thing disappears, the treats stop—this is the Closed Bar.

To your dog, it’s as if the scary thing causes the treats to rain from the sky. Over time, the dog begins to feel happy anticipation when they see or hear that trigger, rather than fear. You’re not forcing the dog to face their fear—you’re reprogramming their emotional response in a positive, trust-building way.

Why it works:

• Dogs are constantly making associations. If every appearance of the vacuum is followed by a peanut butter party, the vacuum becomes a “good thing.”

• The dog is always in control of how close or intense the experience is, keeping stress low.

• Because there’s no pressure to interact, the dog can stay under their fear threshold and truly learn that the scary thing predicts good things.

This technique is:

• Science-based

• Force-free

• Highly effective for mild to moderate fears

• A building block for long-term confidence and trust

Preparation

Grab some very small but very high value treats or food. Put them in a baggie, container or treat pouch for easy access.

Identify

Identify the “thing” your dog is worried about. For this example we will use being pet.

Let’s Do it!

1. Put a handful of the food in one of your hands. Close your hand into a fist.

2. if your dog is trying to get the food already, just wait until s/he stops trying -- we don’t want a fistful of treats to predict getting the treats.

3. With your other hand, slowly and softly touch your dogs shoulder - don’t move to much and keep the pressure soft to medium

4. After 1 second of the touch, take your treat hand and give treats continuously (your dog can lick or nibble) as long as your hand is on the shoulder.

5. Remove the hand from the shoulder, then stop the treat feed.

In this example, we are creating a positive relationship with a shoulder touch. When your dog is happy about that touch (loose body language, doesn’t move away or retract), you can do the same with different places on the body and eventually add slow petting like movements. The key is to go slow and take your time!

You can use the open bar, closed bar technique for so many things including vaccuums, hair dryers, being brushed and more. Here are some other examples:

1. Vacuum Cleaner

• Start Point: The vacuum is off and across the room.

• Open Bar: Begin tossing treats to the dog as soon as the vacuum appears. Continue feeding treats continuously.

• Closed Bar: When the vacuum is removed or hidden again, stop all treats.

• Progression: Gradually increase proximity or begin moving the vacuum (still off), continuing the OB/CB process. Eventually, repeat with it turned on at low power from a distance.

2. Brush

• Start Point: Show the brush from a distance where the dog notices but doesn’t react fearfully.

• Open Bar: Present the brush and feed continuously (e.g., rapid delivery of soft treats like peanut butter on a lick mat).

• Closed Bar: Put the brush behind your back—treats stop.

• Progression: Gradually bring the brush closer over sessions, eventually touching fur lightly, all the while continuing OB/CB.

3. Hair Dryer

• Start Point: Dryer is in sight but turned off and far away.

• Open Bar: Show the dryer, feed continuously.

• Closed Bar: Remove the dryer, treats stop.

• Progression: Gradually increase intensity by moving it closer, then turning it on at low volume. Continue to adjust intensity based on the dog's body language and threshold.