Lily is still pretty young, which is when Roxy was the most fearful. There are a couple things I can tell you that worked really good.
Booms from fireworks: They upset her some. About a week after the 4th of July some neighbors (about a mile in back of us) set off fireworks. Discovered I could see them through the trees. So went outside where she was barking & upset. Sat on a bench. She ran right to me... her heart pounding through her chest. As the pretty lights showed up in the sky, I'd softly oooow & aaaaahhh & quietly talk about how pretty they were. After a bit, I could feel her heart beats returning to normal. She sat with me quietly & soon acted like she enjoyed them. Thunder doesn't seem to bother her as much since then too. Actually I did the same type of thing w/my 2 boy skin kids when we had those middle of the night storms that woke them up. We'd go sit & watch out the window at all the lightening. Quietly Oooow & ahhhh & wow that was a loud one.
Dishwasher: ooooww spooky to her & it is very quiet. So I picked her up & her treat cup, sat on the floor right up against the dishwasher. Everytime she was quiet, she'd get a treat. Talked quietly to her & treat. We sat there for a good 5+ minutes like that. Since then she doesn't even seem to notice when I turn it on.
I think the key is to try & find a way of helping her to understand the situation you're in & be reassuring. Be prepared to use your imagination to figure it out. They all seem to have their own things that work & don't work. Try to be reassuring without over coddling. Just calm. The more experiences she has, the better she should get at dealing with new things. Happy travels! |