[yorkietalkjilly]

Lots of high-strung dogs develop sudden fears and not from "ghosts" but from things that happen in conjunction with others to create a situation that they don't understand or can't figure out what it is or a hard gas pain or arthritic twinge hits them as they see something sparkle - things like that. It often doesn't take much in some dogs - and it can be a new fear every few weeks or so.

In the wild, the high-strung, nervous or unsure dogs that do suffer fear are ignored or ostracized by the pack if they don't get with the program and the pace and struggle of living quickly causes them to forget and move on - or die alone, if not in an attack. But in the confines of a home, where there is very little physical or mental distraction or effort just to stay alive, plus a concerned owner starts watching them with a look of concern, likely a smell to go with that concern that they come to associate with worry, and they have every chance to develop their fears into more than a momentary happening. In fact, the presence of humans often soothing them and telling them things like "it's going to be okay" reinforces their present fearful state - thinking that is how they are supposed to react. Not saying that is what you did but that is so often our first response when we see a scared dog - soothing them as we would a scared child. I know better and often that is still my first reaction and then I catch myself! It is just so normal for a human to do!

But to a canine, that is not soothing to their fear but reinforcement to them that we are okaying this fearful behavior, approving of it. Only ignoring the reaction and changing some of the circumstances and slowly but surely repetitively desensitizing them to the fearful situation can help the dog unlearn its fear and come to accept the situation as routine. Once Luma has made her 100th trip through that hall with a very unemotional mommy lovingly and persistently walking her confidently through it, she will be far more accepting of it and it will no longer be the bugaboo she thinks it is now. But mommy must do it with a confident, unworried nature during the walk-through. Clear your mind of concern for Luma and be nothing more than a repetitive, confidant teacher through the hallway and a cheerleader when she's through it. Lots of unemotional confidence and then lots of loving reaffirmation of her getting through it like a big girl.

Often before I put Tibbe through a desensitization session, to get worry and concern for Tibbe out of my mind and help myself and him have a better session, I will talk very positive, uplifting type lingo to him, telling him he's my "soldier", my "hero", a "superhero", "powerful", "tough guy" "Rambo" "Big Boy" "You can DO this!" - words like that - none of which he understands but he does understand the positive energy that this type language creates in me and my mind and in my body. Positive reinforcing talk like that can't help but put you in a very strong place mentally - and physically. I probably even smell confident to him. So I'm all pumped up, he senses that, he gets his little tail up, chest out, he gets pumped and together we can take on the world. In that mindset, we start desensitization training of any fears we're working to overcome. It helps a lot to get you in the right frame of mind to deal properly with a fearful dog. A fearful dog would much rather follow that confident person into that scary hallway than one who is half feeling sorry for him or her and exuding concern. So jazz yourself and Luma up good before your sessions. Then keep on repeating the very short sessions on and on and on and on and on and on and on periodically on schedule until she just trots through there by rote, not even thinking about it.

That repetition together with your positive mindset are the keys. It will become the norm for her. That and her finding special treats around on the floor in that scary area and having some floor meals in there after she's had some good walk-throughs kept up long enough should do the trick. She'll grow to expect the walk-through sessions as part of her day's work and after a while go hunting in there for her goodies. But take it slow, be patient, loving and confident and don't expect miracles in 2 weeks with overcoming fears. Just keep plugging. Good training!