Spoiling our Dogs and Puppies

[Metro]

Originally Posted by Bard

question for the pup lovers here we have a wippet mix who is a rescue we have had her over a year she was very shy when we got her but now has come out of her shell. We also have a Sheppard mix who Phoebe loves. Phoebe took off on Desd back in late June and was missing for 10 days thank god we got her back we were a wreck. Now she is scared shitles of a fire in the firepace she will shake and cower run out of the room jump the baby gate to go upstairs. AND we have noticed the past few days she will all of a sudden get really scared of something and shake like hell Desd tried to hold her and comfort her show her that she is safe but it dosent help and I have had her do it with me to I can hold her and it passes but I have no clue what is makeing her so scared I dont want my baby to be scared we are wondering if it is like a post stress thing she was missing over the 4th of July and if we are outside and a loud bang goes off she runs to me and cowers and shakes on my feetso I pick her up and she snuggles into me

any thoughts

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



This tactic works for me. I keep training or engaging the dog in play (i.e. fetching a ball) until they become focused on the training and forget about the worrisome or tantilizing situation.

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?

Another thing I picked up in classes is to ignore loud noises -- dog's look for our reactions and if we model calm then they may become less concerned, too.

Good luck.