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Strange Fears.... new problem, need help!!

893 views 5 replies 4 participants last post by  shrekandmeatballs 
#1 ·
We first noticed this on New Year's Eve. I put Bailey to bed around the usual time (9ish) in her crate and went on to bed myself fairly soon. Around midnight started the fireworks. They didn't phase her on July 4th, but she started whining and when I let her outside, she didn't want to come in. The next day, we had to keep her leashed and watch doors because she was terrified of being IN the house. It got progressively better and within a couple days really about a day and a half, she was her old self. I figured even though I know the fireworks were outside, to her, she was snug as a bug in bed and heard a scary noise when she was IN the house, so it made since she wanted out.

Fast forward to yesterday evening, no problems lately. My husband was rolling a ball to her in the living room and it hit a folded up TV tray which fell. I just happened to be coming through the dining room into the living room as it was happening and instinctively yelled out just as it crashed because I thought it was going to hit a full glass of liquid. Bailey was looking at ME when I yelled out along with a crash and I don't think she even realized it was the tv tray that fell. Since then, she's been extremely uneasy in the entire downstairs of the house. By uneasy I mean restless, staring at the walls, some mild panting at times. She will lay down for a little while but really just wants to be anywhere else. She's okay in the kitchen but uneasy in the living/dining room. Almost like she knows there is supposed to be something scary in there but can't find it. She's perfectly content upstairs, and I found her snoozing in my bed earlier (she snuck off while I was sidetracked LOL) Getting her to come back in from outside is a challenge, but if I can get the leash on her she will trot right in. On her own getting her to walk through that door is not easy.

Bailey is 13 months. She's not typically a fearful dog. If she see's something loud/scary/fall/crash etc, she might initially jump a little - but not beyond a slight startle, then goes right to the offending object, checks it out and moves on. She still sleeps in the crate at night (living room) and isn't whining in the crate at all. I usually leave her in the living room (loose) while I'm at work, but for safety reasons I crated her today (only gone 3 hours today) as I didn't want to take the chance on her flipping out. I did cover the crate to the areas that are "open" to the room, leaving a section she could see out but not be completely exposed.

Any suggestions? I imagine she will be better tomorrow but it's just really weird. And sad to watch. We don't encourage the fear, but I have remained firm that she comes in when it's time (leashed) and praise her for doing what I asked with a few extra treats. I don't make her stay in the rooms she is restless in, and I've been gentle and encouraging without making a big deal out of it at the same time.
 
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#2 ·
Just wanted to update this post for anyone who my find it in a search if their pup is having the same issues. While there were a lot of views, no one offered any help, but my tactics worked beautifully so that's fine (and perhaps why no one commented, I was on the right track). I ran the situation by my vet who feels she was in her last little "fear stage." She was back to herself in a day or so and we haven't had any issues since. So if anyone needs any help with this, I hope my experience is helpful. LOVE these dogs! :)
 
#4 ·
Our last dog, Maggie had some pretty common fears starting somewhere around 5-6 months if I can recall. We had a door between the kitchen and garage that slammed shut from wind once when she was lying nearby and she refused to go near it for a couple days after that (difficult because it was the door we were using for potty). We used a desensitization plan--started having her sit near another door (which she was fine with) and gave her treats every time we closed the door. Then had her sit in sight, but far from the offending door, and repeated the same process until she seemed not to be bothered by it. Progressively moved her closer and closer until she seemed cool with the sound. Then had to play the same game with going through the door - started with one that wasn't scary and played dog "ping pong" between two people on either side of the door with treats until she understood the game. Moved to the "bad door" and she didn't want to play at first so we went back to opening/closing treat game. Had her do lots of other behaviors she knew (sit/stay) near the open door, then later tried ping pong again, and she did great. Probably took about 2-3 weeks by playing the games a couple times a day for 5 minutes. Never shied away from the door again.

We also lived across the street from a large city park where they did fireworks every 4th of July. We made the newbie mistake of having her hang out with us outside in the back yard the first year to watch them - she was not a fan. She became fearful not only of fireworks, but thunder as well. We used the same principle with this - started with recordings of fireworks/thunder played on a quiet computer and treated her every time there was a sound. Progressively turned the volume up, then eventually had someone stomp on the floor when the sound played. She eventually got to the point where she wouldn't hide during fireworks or thunder - but would run to our side hoping for the treat game. She still appeared nervous, but not fearful.

The key I think is to take it very slow. Don't force the exposure. You're looking for that fine line between being alert, but not fearful. It should always be the dog's choice to participate in the game - make sure they can "escape" if they feel nervous and watch for signs of stress/fear. If you push too fast, you run the risk of making it worse.
 
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