Dog training glossary
Flooding
Quick answer
Exposing a dog to a full-intensity trigger all at once, with no way to escape.
Written by the TailorPup team, updated September 2026. See our editorial approach.
What it means
Flooding attempts to force a dog to "get used to" something overwhelming by not allowing any retreat, the opposite approach from gradual desensitization. It's widely considered outdated and risky in modern training, since it can intensify fear, create new negative associations, or produce what looks like "giving up" (learned helplessness) rather than a dog that's actually comfortable.
A real example
Bringing a dog terrified of other dogs directly into a crowded dog park and refusing to leave until it "calms down" is a classic (and risky) example of flooding.
Common mistake
Mistaking a flooded dog's stillness or shutdown for genuine calm, when it's often closer to a stress response called learned helplessness.
Related terms
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