[pajama]

Originally Posted by Metro

In dog obedience training we learned it was better not to reinforce a dog's fear by holding them physically close (as that is basically rewarding the fearful behavior).

Instead, these classes trained human companions to engage the dog in performing a different activity (like heeling, sitting, laying down, or coming when called) for which the dog is rewarded by verbal praise and/or a small treat.

This technique distracts the dog from the fear inducing situation or thing and also reinforces good activity and behavior via training -- which many dogs enjoy since they have our undivided attention. In addition, they are given an opportunity to please and thus be rewarded. Reward = Happy

It may take several short sessions, building up over a period of time, to desensitize a dog to something which is fear inducing. And it may only help to a degree, but perhaps it's worth a try?

It's funny, although I seldom watch Dog Whisperer, I happened to watch an episode yesterday that had a dog displaying this type of behavior over a screen door. First, you're right, Cesar said do not go to the dog or coddle the dog when he is displaying fear as it reinforces "Yes you're right, you're in danger, and I as your Alpha will protect you from it." Second, at the moment, the dog is only in fight-or-flight mode. And no amount of training will sink in. You have to break the fear. What Cesar did was kept walking up to the screen (or fire in your case) with the dog on the leash. Even though the dog pulled and tried to get away he would just hold steady there. He wouldn't talk to the dog, he wouldn't PRAISE the dog, because the dog would think the praise is for the fear not for just standing there. Insert disclaimer here of do not try this at home, Cesar is a trained professional, blah, blah, blah.

Originally Posted by desd

The random, severe shaking is new though, and there has not been anything I've heard that will cause it. Sometimes she will lay between us and the couch and shove her nose in the corner and just shake

This may just be because somehow the original fear has been reinforced (unwittingly, I mean until I saw the show yesterday I would have done all the same things to try and comfort the dog.). So now the dog thinks, "Oh there is danger here. Well is that danger? What about that? Over there, what's that?"

I don't really know what to say to help fix it. Just what I've heard that might make it worse. I guess you have to think like the alpha and think of things that would show you're not afraid of whatever.

A