My Lab is 1 yr & 9 months old. This 4th of July she heard some loud fireworks outside of our cabin, and trembled like a leaf, hiding in the corner for hours. She was scared last year for a few hours too, but now it is days later, and she continues to act this way when hearing any noise that resembles fireworks. Tonight I snapped my gum a few times, and then realized she was under my desk cowering. She refuses to be near my girlfriend and me now, and is hiding under the kitchen table while sadly trembling... What can I do to get her used to these types of noises?
Thanks
2007-07-08 14:19:12 · 11 answers · asked by sonofapizzaman 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
The worst thing in the world is to sit with her and talking in a calming voice. I know that goes against everything in most humans, but what you are actually telling her is "good dog, be afraid." Which is not what you want. Just leave her be where she feels comfortable and allow her to come out when she is ready.
Now a simple solution is a DAP collar, plug in, or spray. DAP stands for Dog Appeasing Phermone. It give off a smell that calms the dogs. To humans there is no smell.
That is the simple solution if it works for your dog.
There is a great book called "Help For Your Fearful Dog" by Nicole Wilde CPDT This is the bible of doggies fears. Even if this is your dog's only fear, this book will help you counter condition your dog to the sounds of thunder and fireworks.
Check out www.apdt.com web site to find a trainer in your area that specializes in this type of fear. Or look for an Applied Animal Behavioralist. They can also help you.
This can get worse and become and very serious problem.
2007-07-08 14:30:56 · answer #1 · answered by Beth L 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have had the same problem with my two dogs, now 14 and 12. It will take a few days, but what I do is sit on the floor with them and talk to them. I tell them it is okay and that I am there to protect them. It does last a few days after the fireworks. So, it is a matter of comfort and support for the dogs. Remember they are like a small child, do what you would with a child when they are scared. Comfort, comfort, comfort. The next step is to put on a show that may have loud pops on it and sit on the floor and let her know.."oh it's okay" but don't speak harshly. Good luck!
2007-07-08 14:27:56 · answer #2 · answered by niterythm_1 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My mother in law's cocker spaniel is afraid of EVERYTHING that is loud. She was a rescue dog. She was kept in garage, barely fed, skin and bones. No human contact. Close to death. That was about 4 years ago. She was very timid at first but now is my mother in law's shadow. It's like they share a lung. When she's at home alone, she stays on the bed. She's house trained. She is afraid to go outside. It took me ages to get her to walk on the leash for me when i took her out( I sometimes go over there to take her out for my MIL). Now I can have her walk out the door, on the leash, on her own free will. She does great until a truck comes roaring down the high way, then she practically drags me back to the door. She does her business and quickly goes back inside. Inside she's a totally different dog. She plays with her toys,etc.Sometimes a loud noise will occasionally occur that will scar her. I've been working with her to get her over it and she's come a little way. I've actually got her to play outside(big victory). For a while, the big trucks didn't scare her as easily, then I had my baby and couldn't go work with her as much so she forgot her new found fearless side and reverted to the timid shy thing. So once again we're working on her outside. This is a dog that didn't know any trick other then "shake" when I first met her. Now she knows sit/lay and roll.
2016-05-17 05:48:42 · answer #3 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your baby is scared and needs reassuring. Snap your gum while cuddling your dog. Tell her its OK and keep your voice calm and soothing. Make the gum snapping seem like a fun game, Show her the gum, put it in your mouth, snap it and laugh...Make it into something fun. Go onto other noises and make them "fun", too.
When our boy, a 5 year old doxie, goes with us to see fireworks, we talk to him as you would a child....Reassuringly and with a fun attitute. He actually enjoys the display along with us...Until he gets bored and takes a little snooze!
2007-07-08 14:31:03 · answer #4 · answered by Maddie's Mom 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This 4 of July i had the same problem. just her close tell her it's OK in a calming voice. after awhile she will calm down and act her normal self during loud noises.
2007-07-08 15:08:41 · answer #5 · answered by Cowgirl13 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well what i would do is just hold her by her collar and sit with her while you make some noises but calm her once the noise passes and make sure you make her as comfortable as possible with you and your girlfriend. she'll learn to get used to the noises and it wont even phase her, my dog just chases fireworks now, and even accidentally gets hit by them =/.
2007-07-08 14:23:30 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you have an outdoor shooting range nearby, take her and sit in the parking lot with her. She'll get used to it after a few trips.
2007-07-08 14:24:51 · answer #7 · answered by answermesweetly 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you can solve that problem, I think half the US would buy the solution from you. Let me know if you figure it out!
2007-07-08 14:22:23 · answer #8 · answered by TX Mom 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
maybe,, do you pat her and calm her down when she does this? because she could be taking that az a encouragement to do it more... Do you know whether she has sensitive ears??? maybe try and get her used to the sound??
2007-07-08 14:27:50 · answer #9 · answered by muffin_gawjuzz 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
put some treats on the floor in his dog food cup thing. then if he comes to get it, pet it while he's eating it.
get him a dog friend
2007-07-08 14:27:42 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋