How to handle things your dog is scared of

[lovespandp]

Originally Posted by Nancy1999

Oh poor little thing. Your hubby may be right, it's human nature to baby them when they are afraid, but they don't understand our words, just the tone of our voice and if you are talking in a different tone than usual, they might think they are right to be afraid. Experts say to act nonchalant and talk in you normal voice, distraction can work as well, such as playing with a favorite toy.

I know Ceaser is always saying you have to snap them out of it they cant be in that state of mind- it is easier said than done!

[Nancy1999]

Originally Posted by alaskayorkie

It's not uncommon in Yorkies, but that is quite a list! They're the smallest things in their world, so they only have so many ways to deal with scary things -- aggression (barking, biting), submission (peeing, hiding), and, hopefully, acceptance.

Fireworks petrify Eddie, and the best I've achieved is to just take the edge off. But other things he's overcome. Elevators used to bug him, but I just started loading him up with tiny treats for the entire ride. Now he shows no hesitation. Clicker training didn't work at first because he was afraid of the clicker. And he hated my harmonica playing. He's overcome all that.

I would start with something he's only mildly afraid of, maybe a cord or something. The goal is to desensitive them to it. You do that by taking the least-threatening cord you can find -- maybe white or short. And place it within sight but not threateningly close. Reward for acceptance with either a treat or a toy. Do this in 10-minute sessions once or twice a day. When he accepts that difference, move it closer. Toss a toy past it and reward and praise for success. If at any time he panicks, lower the expectation to a distance he'll accept. Always end the session on a success.

When you tackle noises, start with a soft one (Maybe the click of a pen) far away. Same routine. Slowly increase the level of threat and reward for success. If he refuses to accept the reward, get a better treat or a more high-value toy. It helps to not make the noise be the focus of your session at first. Ignore it yourself and do something fun with the dog.

Good luck! In a perfect world, all puppies would be exposed to all that stuff when they're still with Mom, then they'd continue that education from the moment they go to their forever home. I did that with Jillie, and she can handle just about anything despite being just 4 1/2 pounds.

Lol, I never thought they had elevators in Alaska! I really think food is an excellant way to help them overcome their fears.

[Nancy1999]

Originally Posted by lovespandp

I know Ceaser is always saying you have to snap them out of it they cant be in that state of mind- it is easier said than done!

I do think Cesar has a special gift, he can calm himself down when a dog is agitated and then give that feeling to the dog. I do think it’s important to try to feel calm when your dog is scared, I think if you’re scared it makes it worse, but we can only do so much. Move slowly with purpose or assertively, talk in a normal tone of voice, but I think they can smell our anxiety, and Cesar just doesn't have any. So while I like Cesar, his tips only get me so far.

[lovespandp]

Originally Posted by Nancy1999

I do think Cesar has a special gift, he can calm himself down when a dog is agitated and then give that feeling to the dog. I do think it’s important to try to feel calm when your dog is scared, I think if you’re scared it makes it worse, but we can only do so much. Move slowly with purpose or assertively, talk in a normal tone of voice, but I think they can smell our anxiety, and Cesar just doesn't have any. So while I like Cesar, his tips only get me so far.

So when I find him scared in a corner, should I try to calm him down and distract him- even if he wants to head it to the hills? If I pick him up he will squirm to get out of my hands so he can run away..

[Nancy1999]

Originally Posted by lovespandp

So when I find him scared in a corner, should I try to calm him down and distract him- even if he wants to head it to the hills? If I pick him up he will squirm to get out of my hands so he can run away..

I'm not sure what you should do, but I"m pretty sure you shouldn't pick him up. I don't know if telling him to go to his crate would be a good idea or not. I guess I would try with the toy or food to distract. Alaska Yorkie has much more actual training experience, I only know "theory."

[lovespandp]

Originally Posted by Nancy1999

I'm not sure what you should do, but I"m pretty sure you shouldn't pick him up. I don't know if telling him to go to his crate would be a good idea or not. I guess I would try with the toy or food to distract. Alaska Yorkie has much more actual training experience, I only know "theory."

Ya I don't know either LoL.

[lovespandp]

Mike, Help please

[Britster]

Originally Posted by lovespandp

So when I find him scared in a corner, should I try to calm him down and distract him- even if he wants to head it to the hills? If I pick him up he will squirm to get out of my hands so he can run away..

Jackson is like this when he's scared - does NOT want to be held, etc.

[lovespandp]

Originally Posted by Britster

Jackson is like this when he's scared - does NOT want to be held, etc.

Are you working with his scared issues?

[alaskayorkie]

Originally Posted by lovespandp

Mike, Help please

Now you're testing my limits! The old line is that you shouldn't coddle them. Just go on your way like whatever's bothering them is no big deal. They say doing so only rewards the behavior.

I tried that with Eddie and fireworks, and it didn't do any good. So now I coddle the heck out of him. I put him on my lap. I put a blanket over our heads. I bring out a toy or treats. He usually refuses the treats when he's nervous. He used to shun my coddling and hide under the bed, but now he races to me (or, more often, my wife). But, all things considered, I think that's a good thing. I want him to run to me rather than run away.

If I were you, I'd try distracting him and try to get him to forget about what's bugging him. Assuming he's toy motivated, get a toy that drives him nuts and bring it out in situations like that. We had our best New Year's yet this year because I brought him to the office where he couldn't hear the fireworks as much. I brought out a toy, and we played during the worst of it. In the past, he never showed any interest in playing.

But it's a tough line to walk. You don't want to reward his timidness, either. I think distraction is the way to go. You're not giving him treats for cowering -- you're trying to get him to focus on something else.

This is all opinion, btw. I'm no expert.

[Britster]

Originally Posted by lovespandp

Are you working with his scared issues?

Yep, I am always working with him. I posted here, you may have missed it - http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/3796838-post6.html

[lovespandp]

Originally Posted by Britster

Yep, I am always working with him. I posted here, you may have missed it - http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/3796838-post6.html

Ah I didn't see that!! I am def going to start working with Peanut!!

[lovespandp]

Originally Posted by alaskayorkie

Now you're testing my limits! The old line is that you shouldn't coddle them. Just go on your way like whatever's bothering them is no big deal. They say doing so only rewards the behavior.

I tried that with Eddie and fireworks, and it didn't do any good. So now I coddle the heck out of him. I put him on my lap. I put a blanket over our heads. I bring out a toy or treats. He usually refuses the treats when he's nervous. He used to shun my coddling and hide under the bed, but now he races to me (or, more often, my wife). But, all things considered, I think that's a good thing. I want him to run to me rather than run away.

If I were you, I'd try distracting him and try to get him to forget about what's bugging him. Assuming he's toy motivated, get a toy that drives him nuts and bring it out in situations like that. We had our best New Year's yet this year because I brought him to the office where he couldn't hear the fireworks as much. I brought out a toy, and we played during the worst of it. In the past, he never showed any interest in playing.

But it's a tough line to walk. You don't want to reward his timidness, either. I think distraction is the way to go. You're not giving him treats for cowering -- you're trying to get him to focus on something else.

This is all opinion, btw. I'm no expert.

Testing your limits?? LoL Last year we were at the lake and they had fireworks, I had Pnut on my lap. He was shaking and panting and wanting to get away- I felt so bad so I took him up to the house and put him in his crate. I probably should have kept him and made him deal with it, but I felt so bad for him. I know Ceaser is always like “ don’t feel bad for them” LoL I cant help it.

I am going to try to start working with him… Thank you for the advise I will probably be coming to you with more questions!!

[lovespandp]

Well last night, Peanut and I had a training session! I started with the extension cord, I wanted to start really low. When I blow dry my hair I do it on my floor in my bedroom- this is where his crate is ( in the closet). I put him in his crate, door shut, but left that side of the closet open so he can see and hear. I started to blow dry my hair and I would move the cord around so the extension cord made that noise he hates. ( I have an extension cord on my blow dryer bc its too short for me to sit down and blow dry my hair)

Pnut heard the noise and he perked up, I talked to him in a normal voice and said its ok, good boy. He just sat there. He wasn’t shaking or anything. The whole time I made the noise often and talked to him, he did really good. When I was done I left the cord out, but pushed it back where Pnut can walk by it without touching it, I left him out and he walked by ( not run). Then I gave him some treats!

I think I will do this first for a couple days, then maybe I will leave the crate open and blow dry my hair, then have him lay out side of his crate… I think this will be a good start!

Thoughts? Should I do it differently?

[Nancy1999]

Originally Posted by lovespandp

Well last night, Peanut and I had a training session! I started with the extension cord, I wanted to start really low. When I blow dry my hair I do it on my floor in my bedroom- this is where his crate is ( in the closet). I put him in his crate, door shut, but left that side of the closet open so he can see and hear. I started to blow dry my hair and I would move the cord around so the extension cord made that noise he hates. ( I have an extension cord on my blow dryer bc its too short for me to sit down and blow dry my hair)

Pnut heard the noise and he perked up, I talked to him in a normal voice and said its ok, good boy. He just sat there. He wasn’t shaking or anything. The whole time I made the noise often and talked to him, he did really good. When I was done I left the cord out, but pushed it back where Pnut can walk by it without touching it, I left him out and he walked by ( not run). Then I gave him some treats!

I think I will do this first for a couple days, then maybe I will leave the crate open and blow dry my hair, then have him lay out side of his crate… I think this will be a good start!

Thoughts? Should I do it differently?

Lol, all I know is if you are drying you hair with an extension cord, make sure it's a heavy duty one.