My dog is afraid of everything!?

Question

I have a Jack Russell Terrier male, 3 yrs. old. He was not ever abused, and we bought him when he was 3 months old from a JRC breeder. He's afraid of sizzling noises from grittles, skillets, blenders, etc. And he's just very chickity around all sorts of thing, but cooking is the worst. When he hears sizzling he runs away down the hall or whatever. How do I get him to stop being so afraid of everything? Please help.

Answer 1

Aw!
He sounds like a sweet dog. However, you have to help him get used to certain loud noises and help him realize its not there to hurt him.

By the way some dogs just behave like this. :)

Answer 2

I know you have a lot of answers and you may not like my suggestions but here goes.
After three yrs of such behavior why would you be concerned or try to change him? I have two Jacks, one is a little skittish of noises like tea kettle whistle, smoke alarms, distant gun shots,fireworks.
He is not a wimp for he will jump or stand up to any dog or critter, except to my 56lbs female Chow. I have another Jack that ain't afraid or bothered by any noise or dog. My Lab and Chow will run to me at the sound of fireworks or gun shots and hide under the bed when thundering.
The point is just like people dogs have different personalities. I am sure he has good traits like mouser, protector etc The oldest Jack will jump/run at any sudden sound over his head or behind him. That is because being small his first survival reaction is to run at any potential of something landing on him. Then he looks back from a safe distance.
Your Jack nor any pet should be in the kitchen during cooking anyway.

Answer 3

It sounds like you folks missed out on a great opportunity to socialize your pet. Puppy Kindergarten would have handled this problem for you.
But, get some treats. Something that your dog really likes. Sit down on the kitchen floor. Put him on his leash. Now have someone fry up a good batch of bacon while you sit there and every few seconds give him a treat and tell him what a good puppy he is. Gradually take a longer space of time before giving him the treats, but keep telling him how good he is. Let him watch whoever is cooking as they take it from the pan, drain it well and break off a cooled piece (a small piece) for him. Let the cook give him the piece of bacon.
Do this in a similar fashion every day for a week and pretty soon you'll have a regular kitchen mooch on your hands. Oh, you don't have to cook bacon every day, just don't give him any onions.

Answer 4

Be very patient, never yell at him, and try to gently desensitize him to things he is afraid of. When you are working with him, talk to him softly and maybe reward him with a kibble or small treat after work sessions. If he is afraid of men, have a male friend or relative make an effort to be kind to him several times a week. Once he gets used to that guy, get another man to work with him. If he is afraid of being touched near his head, then gently pet him often and move a little bit closer to his head every day. Once he is comfortable with you doing it, get someone else he knows casually to work on it with him. You get the idea? He will get better over time but its going to take a lot of patience to build trust and undo the damage, probably a year or more, and he may never be totally desensitized especially to strangers.

Answer 5

Is this a new problem, something that has started recently? Or it's ongoing since he was a puppy?

It seems odd that if he has been in the same home for 3 years that he would still have those same fears. Obviously being in the home for the last 3 years he would naturally be socialized to the sounds of your home.

I would have him checked by the vet to rule out some problems..

Answer 6

He is a toy breed what do you expect. I have a boxer that is not afraid of anything, he will growl at the sizzling frying pan if he thinks it is attacking me or my mother. If you want a dog that wont be scared of that sort of stuff, buy a bigger dog. And imagine the situation from the dogs point of view. You hear a loud sizzling sound coming from this giant box thing(stove), that you have never been on or have had any experience with dealing with, you would be pretty scared too wouldn't you. I mean, be realistic.

Answer 7

don't force him to be in this enviroment, everything must be slowly done. His hearing if probally very sensitive he need to be rewarded and feel safe when this noise , hold him and stroke him and let him know everything is ok. find his comfort zone if he is 12 feet away and still actiong funny, take him 14 feet away and , in other words when he finds the certain amount of feet away where he doesn't act wierd, reward him and then the next time try one foot closer and reward him and he remains calm.

Answer 8

The best way would to be to have him with you. Maybe put him on a leash and keep him by your side. In time he will get use to the sounds and not be affraid.

Do gradual introductions of new things. Let him come up to the object that scares him on his own level. Do not force things on him.

Answer 9

his ears maybe sensative. have them checked though just in case next time you have a vet visit. Next time you cook something have someone hold him and tell him it is ok. just keep him calm around the noise and see if he is just afraid.

Answer 10

My American Eskimo is like that, and we have tried everything, she is now 7 years old and still the same, but we love her she is just quirky!