04/27/2026
Does your dog seem fearful when you are holding something new to them? When you pick up the broom or vacuum cleaner? Or maybe when you bring packages inside?
Using the 1, 2, 3 could help your dog become more comfortable with the weird stuff you carry around! By creating a predictable sequence of events - that ends with a tasty reward for them, and increased distance from the scary thing - this training game can increase communication and trust between you and your dog, and start the process of desensitizing them to you carrying around everyday household objects.
1. Teach your dog the 1, 2, 3 pattern and pair it with your approach.
2. Practice with items the dog is familiar with in hand, then move onto new items or ones known to cause fear in the past.
3. Always move away after treat delivery to increase distance from the scary object and give your dog a break.
4. To help generalize this game practice with different items, in different rooms; vary your distance, distractions, and speed of approach.
(This video contains music from Shutterstock, licensed by Splice video editing app.)
