Last week, two hot air balloons took off from the adjacent field. My poor baby she was scared to death, running back and forth, shaking like a leaf (as well as other dogs). I tried to call her to me, so I could comfort her, but she wouldn't come close to me. I finally got up and grabbed her to prevent her from running into the woods, as they rose above us. The whole time she was trying to pull away from me. A little while later, after they were out of sight, she became her normal ball retrieving self. Tonight as I went to the park, we saw a hot air balloon in the sky that just took off. She became an anxious mess again, shaking and wining as I drove. When we got to the park she was still anxious and kept looking up in the sky for the balloon.
what can I do to make her less anxious? When we are in the car, what should I do to comfort her? If we are at the park and another ballon takes off should I keep her with me or let her run off (the park 4 is acres fenced)? Thanks
2006-09-20 13:07:48 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
By acknowledging the behavior you are encouraging it. Simply stay calm and call her in a calm and soothing voice. Never allow your dog to run off regardless of whether or not the area is fenced. She could hurt herself or even another dog/person in her panic.
If she is a small dog pick her up and hold her in your ams facing the balloons. If she is a larger dog kneel on the ground and restrain her by putting your arm around her neck. Be firm but gentle.
Speak to her firmly and encourage her to watch the balloons. If she sees you have no fear of it she will follow your lead. Dogs identify the owners has the alpha dogs of their "pack".
You need to show her there is nothing to fear. Perhaps you should take her to the field and encourage her to sniff and explore the balloons as they are lying on the field.
Make sure you put her on a strong and long leash. Simply walk up to a balloon and begin to study it for about 10 minutes. Do not pull her her roughly to you. Talk to her calmly and firmly about the balloon. Do not get anxious and react to her fear. Stand close to the balloon and encourage her to come and explore it with you.
If she seems extremely stressed walk slowly away from the balloon and reward her with praise and affection. Then return to your study of the balloon for about 5 minutes then walk away with out looking back.
Continue doing this for about 15 minutes a day until she seems more confident around the balloons. Increase the amount of time "exploring" the balloons in 5 minute increments until she can watch them take off without fear.
Always reward your dog with praise and affection.
If your dog is anxious from simply riding in the car play classical music and consider investing in a crate for her. It will give you a safe place to put her to prevent her distracting you from driving safely.
The most important thing to remember is to stay calm when you dog is anxious. Always speak in a calm soothing voice and encourage her to face her fears.
I hope this helps.
2006-09-20 14:07:23 · answer #1 · answered by mbjwithouse 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
First off, the more you comfort her while she's in an anxious state, the more anxious she will become...then and for all other dog park visits. By comforting her you are reinforcing the anxious state of mind and all other behaviors that result from her being in that state of mind. Trust me, I did this when I first adopted my dog and it made her MUCH worse than she originally was.
If you see the balloons in the field I would wait until they take off to bring her into the park. Is it a field that always has balloons that take off or is it a particular part of the day? If they only take off at a certain time or between such and such time and such and such time, don't go to the park at that time.
Also, are there one or two dogs in the park that your dog gets along with? If so, is there a way you and the owners of those dogs can get together for a smaller play group for a while so that when your dog goes back to the big park there are a few dogs that may comfort her (instead of you doing it).
Just throwing out ideas...
2006-09-20 21:16:30 · answer #2 · answered by Amber 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Last week, two hot air balloons took off from the adjacent field. My poor baby she was scared to death, running back and forth, shaking like a leaf (as well as other dogs). I tried to call her to me, so I could comfort her, but she wouldn't come close to me. I finally got up and grabbed her to prevent her from running into the woods, as they rose above us. The whole time she was trying to pull away from me. A little while later, after they were out of sight, she became her normal ball retrieving self. Tonight as I went to the park, we saw a hot air balloon in the sky that just took off. She became an anxious mess again, shaking and wining as I drove. When we got to the park she was still anxious and kept looking up in the sky for the balloon. BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH............who cares, go to Dr. Phil
2006-09-20 20:09:18 · answer #3 · answered by King Math 1 · 1⤊ 3⤋
Hi. I have a SHIH-TZU and love him alot. I got him from the pound about a year ago. He was 6 mos. old at the time. He cowers sometimes when I raise my hand to pet him... Outside he doesn't do it, inside he can't be caught... sometimes... I accept some responsibilty for that.... He thinks it's a game, and I have played with him in the house, but the leash usually seals the deal. I have found sometimes when holding the leash, which he generally understands were going outside, he won't come near me.
He is an affectionate dog, but on his terms....
I love the circus but I really feel nervous around clowns.... I truly make an effort to avoid them, and hope they won't come near me...why??? I don't know.. I am a 53 yr old biker and weigh 270lbs. Why am I scared of clowns?? A H. A. balloon has probably never hurt your dog, a clown has never hurt me.. who knows why we react to things we do?? Don't grab me by the back of the neck.... there may be a fight if you do. To my knowledge I don't think anyone instilled this behaviour... I just truly dislike being grabbed by the back of the neck.. Do I need therapy? probably. How does your pooch like the vacuum cleaner?
2006-09-20 20:28:47 · answer #4 · answered by laughing_is_easy 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Letting her become anxious, and then trying soothe her only reinforces her fear behavior; she thinks you're "approving" of her fear. And letting her run off may endanger her (whether there are fences or not; you shouldn't just let your dog run off anywhere).
If you dog is phobic of the hot air balloons, it's best not to subject her to them. Deliberately putting her into a position where she's afraid is cruel... Can you take her somewhere else for her walk; or not go to the park when there are balloons there?
2006-09-20 20:13:56 · answer #5 · answered by Fetch 11 Humane Society 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The one thing you are doing wrong is to NEVER let your dog run free at the park. The dog should ALWAYS be on a leash. I had a pup that was killed by a HUSKY at the park years ago. She ran over to try and make friends with the Husky I guess, wagging her tail and happy and the Husky mauled her. The Husky was on a leash but the owner could not control the dog. If your dog was on a leash you could of pulled her to you and not have to worry about if she was going to run in the woods. Take her to a park with less activities going on.
2006-09-20 20:27:58 · answer #6 · answered by devinshell 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When our dog was a puppy while we were walking down our street a hot air balloon went over. It was pretty low. I think it was ready to land close by. My dog was attracted to the whoosh sound and looked up. She was very frightened and I had to take her in the house. After that, for at least weeks, she would look up in the sky nervously. She did get over it though.
I think if you take her to this park and another hot air balloon takes off, I think it would be better to keep her close to you and talk softly to her. Pet her so she feels protected.
Good luck. I'm sure you'll take good care of her.
Is there another park that you can take her to?
2006-09-20 20:14:50 · answer #7 · answered by Juanitamarie 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I had a friend whose dog was afraid of thunder, everytime it would start thundering she would give the dog treats. The dog eventually got to the point when it heard thunder, it came running over to get treats. The fear was replaced.
If you could do the same with your dogs and give her treats when she sees them, she will associate the ballons with treats and forget the fear.
My dogs are too goofy to be scared, one will actually lean up against the table saw while I am using it. He might lift his head when I turn it on, then he goes back to sawing his own z-z-z-z-z's.
2006-09-20 20:19:46 · answer #8 · answered by starting over 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋