Can dogs have phobias?

Question

I think my dog suffers from claustrophobia. Could this be true?

Answer 1

I am not sure if they can have phobias but I definately know that they can have incredibly heightened states of alert or fear depending on past experiences. It is more likely that your dog had a bad experience associated with being in a confined space while it was a pup.

Answer 2

Phobias are an unnatural response to an unrealistic fear. They prevent someone from living a normal life. I once knew a woman that was afraid of cotton balls and would ask people if there were any in their bathroom before she would use it. Weird Huh???? Fear is designed to protect us. Phobias are Theorized as a place a person or animal put their stress and anxiety they cant handle thus creating an unnatural fear. I do believe dogs can have phobias. Is your dog confined? Is it living a normal life. If it is living a normal life except when you try to put it in a create or bathroom I think it is really just a strong dislike.

Answer 3

YES..my dog is terrified of walking over grating or vents in the sidewalk or even retrieving a ball off a vent in my house. It's the wierdest thing. Shes also afraid of the vacuum cleaner, car washes, firecrackers and thunderstorms.

But this is what I've found on the subject

Lack of early exposure to sights, sounds, or perhaps the odors of a particular location, or one or more traumatic experiences associated with that location could lead to fear. Phobias can develop from a single experience or from continued exposure. Dogs also have a very keen sense of hearing and any sort of intense noise, or sudden sound scares them. To avoid a dog from freaking out it's important to get him used to these sounds so that he does not become permanently scared of these things.

Answer 4

I'm not so sure about claustrophobia, but I know animals can be scared of heights for no reason. So, I think they may be able to have phobias.

Answer 5

yes, dogs can have phobias. Phobias are intensified fears and they can be rational or irrational. Separation anxiety is the fear of being left alone or abandoned and many animals have separation anxiety. Many dogs have a fear of water and /or loud noises. That's not a problem unless you have a working gun dog or retriever.
Most fears can be tempered with desensitization and training but some can't and them you have to avoid putting your dog in that situation.

Answer 6

My eight yr old coton de tulear has suddenly refused to eat or drink from his bowls. It's like he's afraid of his bowl that he's used for several years. We've tried other bowls but nothing seems to work. The only way he will drink water is out of a 3 oz cup that we hold. As for his food, we set it in a towel on the floor.

Answer 7

yeah dogs can have phobias, my dog is afraid of fireworks, vacuum, and the blow dryer so yeah your dog could have claustrophobia and if so you shouldn't put/keep it in small compact spaces.

Answer 8

Yes they do. One of my dogs is terrified of the dryer and the other is terrified of thunder. Every time there is a thunderstorm he runs under the bed and doesn't come out until is over

Answer 9

why do you think so? what are the symptoms? i think dogs can suffer from phobias, but alot of the time they're our problems that the dogs pick up on.

Answer 10

It is entirely true. Animals are people too, and they suffer with complexes just as we do. Only a trained professional can determine if your pet has this issue.
And they can offer guidance on helping you and your pet overcome this problem.