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My dog goes wild at shovels. How can I train him to be calm?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | American Pit Bull Terrier | Male | 1 year and 8 months old | 115 lbs

HI I have a 115 pound pitbull who is very sweet however in the snow he wants to go crazy and run everywhere which is a problem because he's so strong and it's so slippery that he can literally take me. My biggest problem are shovels. The sound drives him crazy, almost aggressive, and just the sight of a shovel makes him wild. What can be the cause of this and how can I help him not react like this with shovels because it can be dangerous for me who is walking him in these conditions.

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Dr. Elizabeth

Veterinarian

Published on February 12th, 2019

It sounds like OBi really loves the snow and gets super excited about it! Certainly your concern is understandable with a dog that big. This is a situation where clicker training can be very beneficial. The goal is going to be for him to form a positive association with the shovel and also to desensitize him to the shovel. First he will need to learn clicker training. Once he knows what that is. Bring the shovel inside and set it in the corner quietly. Allow Obi to discover it on his own. Every time he looks at the shovel, reward him. Discourage him from touching the shovel or exhibiting any hyperactivity. Work towards getting him to sit next to the shovel. Reward for good behavior and discourage the undesirable behavior. Once he is comfortable in the house, move it to the outside. Make sure to practice in the snow if possible. It’s all about repetition and training his brain. I hope this helps and please feel free to post any additional questions.

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