tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8164371574062741084.post6309946556390489580..comments2023-12-13T02:33:17.624-08:00Comments on Lee Charles Kelley: Curing Thunder PhobiaLCKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04182376640295763312noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8164371574062741084.post-62972390178405909402010-11-29T22:43:16.798-08:002010-11-29T22:43:16.798-08:00My fairly new sanctuary dog, Betty Boop, a Beagle/...My fairly new sanctuary dog, Betty Boop, a Beagle/Basset mix, barks at thunder. She doesn't seem to tremble like my old little Sheltie but just barks back like your friend's Sheltie. Most of the sanctuary dogs here waiting for good homes are failed hunting hounds; I, too, have neighbors who target shoot. Boy, head for the house and dog door they go when shots ring out. There is a recording of thunder, BTW, which starts out quietly and grows in intensity to help your dog adjust. I have no clue how to find it though. Just found your blog through the Dog Guide on Dogster and your Alpha Roll entry. Thanks - am adding you to my best blogs list :).Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17445732008559186410noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8164371574062741084.post-51130898704054209712010-11-20T07:14:42.697-08:002010-11-20T07:14:42.697-08:00I noticed when i was watching Pillars of the Earth...I noticed when i was watching Pillars of the Earth there was a thunderstorm on TV and one of the dogs got a bit scared. so if someone wants to work with their dogs fear of thunder, they can use a recording of thunder and try to train the dog to bark at thunder or reward any moment when they do not show fear etc. rather than having to wait for an actual thunderstorm to do the training<br />this can also be done with other sounds which create unwanted behaviours such as knocks on the door etc.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8164371574062741084.post-33123573647534050682010-11-18T14:08:39.868-08:002010-11-18T14:08:39.868-08:00Lee, it was your story with Freddie that led me to...Lee, it was your story with Freddie that led me to help my GSD with her fear of both thunder and the snow falling off the roof (which makes the whole house shake sometimes.) While I would not consider her completely "cured", she rarely paces, pants or panics during storms or when the snow crashes. We did the barking (yes, even in the middle of the night), sometimes I took her outside for intense play during the approach of the storm, it was usually followed up with putting her in her crate. I also used Rescue Remedy during this period, not sure if it helped a lot of not. <br /><br />My other dog Stevie will sometimes get over charged in the car and pant and whine. I will stop the car and take him out for some barking and pushing so we can continue our trip in peace.Angelique Leenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8164371574062741084.post-74782126817587532832010-11-18T08:26:24.301-08:002010-11-18T08:26:24.301-08:00When my pit bull Stella was a youngster (4-6 mo.) ...When my pit bull Stella was a youngster (4-6 mo.) she was crazy afraid and aggressive toward the vacuum cleaner. I sat her up on the couch and fed her some chicken then turned it on (more chicken). Then fed her chicken each time I made a pass with it. The next time I got it out, she jumped up on the couch wagging her tail and has never been afraid of it since. She's two and a half now & has recently become terrified of skateboards or anything that sounds similar to "drop" of one i.e. a nail gun. The chicken hasn't worked this time around so I may try the barking as well. Meanwhile, thanks for the long list of great tips.SusanAhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13594452068363808771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8164371574062741084.post-36614384806636186692010-11-18T00:25:35.971-08:002010-11-18T00:25:35.971-08:00My former spitz/collie breed was afraid of new yea...My former spitz/collie breed was afraid of new year's fire crackers that kids used to throw on the street, and I was afraid too, but we got equally angry and chased them together when we spotted them! If she caught up with them she nipped their ankles a few times. <br /><br />Now I work with a mixed breed, also spitz type, very sensitive. Sometimes the military practice shooting some few miles from here and she gets very afraid and runs home if she happens not to be on the long line. <br /><br />There seemed to be some success with "The jolly routine" - talking happily, praising her and feeding lots of meatballs when a "boom" was heard. The question is whether you reward a fearful reaction, or if counterconditioning will win.<br /><br />I have also taught her the pushing game, that is, teased her with a meatball and given it to her only when she made a real physical effort to get it. I have also through body language and a sound encouraged her to start bouncing up and down towards me (and making noises) in play. She can do it if she is not too fearful. <br /><br />DOING something, using your body and muscles, is probably very important to cure fear - including expressing yourself through sound?<br /><br />I will also try the barking method!Gunillanoreply@blogger.com