Dogs on TV

Behavior Modification Plan: Reactivity to Dogs on TV

Goal:

Help the dog remain calm while watching dogs on TV by gradually desensitizing and counterconditioning the response to visual stimuli using curated video content.

OVERALL PLAN

We will guide the dog through three levels of video exposure:

Level 1: Dogs in still photos, each shown for 10 seconds.
Level 2: Still photos with minor movement (e.g., blinking, tail wag).
Level 3: Videos of dogs and people with slow movement.

At each level, we will pair the images/videos with high-value treats to countercondition calm emotional responses. The family will observe body language carefully and only progress when the dog is showing relaxed, calm behavior throughout an entire video at the current level.

MEET your Toolkit

Management

Turn off the TV when not training to prevent unexpected triggers.
Start training when the dog is calm and relaxed, not during times of high arousal.
Train with the TV muted or volume very low at first to isolate visual reactivity.

Environment

Set up a cozy training spot: Place the dog’s bed/mat at the family’s usual seated distance from the TV.
Use calming aids (e.g., Adaptil diffuser, licki mats, or puzzle toys pre-session).
Keep training sessions short.

Education

We will be looking for relaxed canine body language: Look for signs of being under threshold, such as:
- Soft eyes, relaxed mouth
- Turning away, sniffing, blinking (calming signals)
- No barking, freezing, lunging or growling

Teaching & Training

Start with Level 1 – Wiggle Butt Academy’s video of dogs in still photos (10 seconds per image).
- Find the viewing distance your dog can handle without barking/lunging or having big reactions.
- Play the video and Immediately say "nice work" and treat for:
  - Looking calmly at the screen
  - Looking away
  - Any disengagement or relaxed body posture
- Stop before the dog shows signs of stress. Repeat daily until the dog is very happy that the video is turned on. You will know because you will get some loose, wiggly body language. Also, it's ok if the body language is totally calm.

Here is the first step video:

Ready to graduate to the next level? Time to add some movement! The movement in this video is interspersed with still photos. Repeat the process you did with the prior video to build on success. If any stress signals appear, pause the video and give a treat for calm behavior. You can stop/start this video until your dog can handle it on auto-play. Repeat this video until your dog is happy or able to remain calm for the duration.

Ready to graduate againl? Time to add more movement! The movement in this video is interspersed with images of people moving. This is closer to what you would see on normal TV. Repeat the process you did with the prior videos to build on success. If any stress signals appear, pause the video and give a treat for calm behavior. You can stop/start this video until your dog can handle it on auto-play. Repeat this video until your dog is happy or able to remain calm for the duration.

Troubleshooting

Problem: Dog reacts even during the still photo video.
Solution: Increase the distance between the dog and the TV, or try using a smaller screen like a laptop or tablet. Start with a single image and reduce the duration to 5 seconds or less, then build up gradually.

Problem: Dog looks at the screen but won’t take treats.
Solution: This is a red flag that the dog is over-threshold. Immediately end the session. Next time, try an easier setup—greater distance, lower intensity, or fewer stimuli—and make sure you're using very high-value treats (e.g., warmed chicken, cheese, or liver paste).

Problem: Dog was doing well but suddenly starts reacting again.
Solution: Regression is a normal part of learning. Revert to the previous video level or shorten the session. Ensure the environment is calm, and double-check that your timing for treat delivery is reinforcing calm, not escalating behaviors.

Problem: Dog barks or lunges at the TV during training.
Solution: Stop the video immediately. Move farther from the screen or angle the dog away from direct viewing. Restart with easier content and reinforce only calm, relaxed behaviors.

Problem: Dog becomes fixated on the TV and overly aroused.
Solution: Include breaks with calming enrichment (like sniffing, licki mats, or chew toys). Avoid back-to-back sessions. Ensure the training remains brief and low arousal.

Problem: You're feeling discouraged by slow progress.
Solution: Normalize the pace—this work is about rewiring emotional responses and can take weeks. Celebrate small wins and track progress. A calm glance at the screen is already a success!

Problem: Dog expects treats every time the TV is on.
Solution: This is actually a good sign! Begin fading treat delivery by using variable reinforcement (every 2nd or 3rd calm response) and introduce praise or petting as alternative rewards. Gradually generalize the calm behavior to real-life TV watching.