we have two german sheperd dogs...the other one is really frightened of the fireworks...but the other one, not...how can i make my frightened dog be brave of the fireworks? should i always be there to comfort him or should i let him by himslef so that he would learn how to respond to his fear through observing the other dog?
he wouldnt allow us to put cottons in his ear!
2007-01-25 22:22:23 · 12 answers · asked by undine 2 in Pets ➔ Dogs
LOL
cotton in his ear!
dog has more sense than you do.
The more he hears it, the more he'll ignore it. So get him used to loud noises.
2007-01-25 22:27:59 · answer #1 · answered by ladybugewa 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
i have a dog that is like that with anything that is too loud, but that was because he was abused ,and we don't know for exactly how long, or exactly what the total extent of it was. So we usually try and comfort him. As for your dog, did you have it since it was young? if so, it is just a scared dog, and you'd have to take it step by step with small popping sounds and such, and working up to the fireworks, then he should get over his fear. And from what i've learned from my 5 dogs, is that the only thing that they really learn from observing each other is 1)how to get housetrained, and for boys 2)how to pee. that's pretty much all. good luck!
2007-01-26 06:30:43 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Someone suggested to me that we record the noise fireworks make and play it so that the dog can get used to the sound. That didn't work with my dogs.
What I do: I go to the vet and buy some calming pills for my dogs before an occasion that I know there will be alot of fireworks. I give it to them around 18H00 before I go out and they sleep like babies.
2007-01-26 06:29:37 · answer #3 · answered by Howshoulinou 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, reassureing him that everythings alright to much, makes him think something is wrong. Try acting as if nothing is going on. He looks to you for what is right, also watching the other dog might help. My dog hates fireworks, but you can shot off a shotgun, and he's ready to hunt!
2007-01-26 06:35:00 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You definitely shouldn't comfort him in this situation, cuz that will reinforce his fearful behavior.
Just ignore & maybe he will come around - but maybe not.
Just make sure that he is safe in the house where he can't hurt himself.
It's also helpful if you have a crate - left open, that he can go into at will when get gets scared of the sounds.
I would pretty much ignore his behavior though so as not to make it worse.
2007-01-26 06:30:16 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Noise phobias are very difficult to work through. If you aren't careful, you can further sensitize the dog -- make it a LOT worse. You could try treatment yourself, but I'd really suggest getting in touch with a veterinary behaviorist or certified canine behavior consultant for help and guidelines. Here are a couple of really good articles about the problem, from DVM Magazine:
http://www.dvmnewsmagazine.com/dvm/article/articleDetail.jsp?id=136493
http://dvm.adv100.com/dvm/article/articleDetail.jsp?id=136493&sk=&date=&pageID=2
good luck!
2007-01-26 06:40:53 · answer #6 · answered by snickdog01970 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
comforting!! is a human trait,,, by comforting him , i assume you are saying things such as " it's ok, don't worry,, you are a good boy,,, and i am sure you are petting him, cuddling him,, etc.. THINK ABOUT IT,,, what you are actually conveying to the dog is PRAISE for his behavior at the moment... which is acting scared you are praising him,.,,,, just ignore his skiddishness ( make sure he isn't so scared that he will do harm to himself) try distracting him by playing ball etc. i assume you only have to deal with fireworks during july,,,, turn up the tv or radio and NEVER take him to firework displays,, actually never take anydog to firework displays
2007-01-26 06:28:56 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Be a good example to him and act like there is no big deal. Encourage him to do normal things and ignore the loud sounds. Praise your other dog in front of him, for doing normal things. Good luck.
2007-01-26 06:35:27 · answer #8 · answered by Ripplediane 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
dont comfort your dog when its frightened as this will say to it thats the right thing to do when its loud, you can buy tapes or cds with various noises on that gets your pets used to them, you start with the noises on low volume and over the weeks you raise the volume and praise your pet when it calm. i did have a load of tapes for puppies, i forgot about them!! ill have to put them on ebay!! lol!
2007-01-26 07:12:42 · answer #9 · answered by a5hey 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you're going to see fireworks you can get him a "doggy downer", (tranquilizer) from your Vet. I had a friend that used them on his dog during thunder storms, and he said they really seemed to help him not freak.
2007-01-26 06:31:47 · answer #10 · answered by GreyGHost29 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i have a cousin and her dog is also scared of fireworks, she keeps her dog occupied and that really works, if you maybe give it a bone or something to chew or even just keep him company he should be fine.
2007-01-26 06:35:30 · answer #11 · answered by grace p 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋