Make sure they get exposed to seeing and sniffing the tank too. That might help. Mario was scared of a lot of things when we got him, but through patience and slow but steady exposure we have overcome almost all of them.
I usually just set the item in the floor for him to inspect at his leisure for a while, then slowly I will go sit next to it and pet him, then pick it up and pet him, etc.....
We are working on him not being startled by the start gun at special olympics again......why they use a real and loud start gun is beyond me. A paper or pop cap gun would be easier on all involved.
__________________ Mario  was adopted May 2015. Now he is a service dog and brother to Bailey the Airdale mix  |