Frights and Phobias

                                                                        


 

          A scared dog is not a happy critter, and can be a danger to himself and others.  Some dogs may have exhibited fearful behavior for as long as the owner can remember.  Other times, the fear reaction shows up a bit later in life, usually after some incident that terrified the dog.  Fears may become serious phobias that can pose a threat to the dog’s physical or mental safety.  Others are much less debilitating.  A dog that is extremely frightened may exhibit any of the following symptoms:  pacing, drooling, panting, trembling, hiding, “gluing” itself to the owner, destructiveness, whining, self-mutilation, and soiling itself.

           Sound-related phobias are fairly common.  The sound of thunder and flash of lightning can send a dog racing in a panic for a place he feels is safe.  A dog can sense when a thunderstorm is coming even though it isn’t happening yet, most likely by feeling the changes in barometric pressure and static electricity.  Dogs with thunder phobia must be kept indoors during the storm, and provided with a safe spot to hide.  Outdoors, they may panic and run.  These dogs may try to find refuge in a shower or bathtub, behind a chair, or in the back of a closet. 

 

          A crate may not be a safe place for a terrified dog as he may try to dig his way out of it, hurting himself in the process.  Fireworks, firecrackers, and gunfire can also scare the wits out of dogs   The swaddling sensation of a “Thunder Shirt” may help in many cases of sound sensitivity and, in some cases, a veterinarian may prescribe anti-anxiety medications.  Good old Fergus the Airedale has an interesting sound-related fear.  Sneezing scares him.  He isn’t afraid of other people’s sneezes – just mine.  He reacts as if my head just exploded.  (I’m told that my sneezes are nothing out of the ordinary – he just thinks I shouldn’t sneeze!) 

          Some fears aren’t related to sounds.  I had a dog who was very worried about overhead things, including light reflections on the ceiling.  This dog was shipped to me as a pup by airline and I was told it was a rough flight.  I suspect things in the cargo hold may have fallen and scared him pretty badly.  A friend’s dog, a very confident Airedale, came up with an interesting way to deal with something that gave her a significant scare.  These folks had a neighbor who had a hot-air balloon, and one day he and his balloon flew very low over their property. 

 

          This dog was on the back patio at the time, and the sight of this huge space invader and the roar of the flame gave her quite a fright.  This didn’t result in a permanent fear, but rather a permanent hatred for hot air balloons - and for water towers, which she decided were the same thing.  She may never have seen another hot air balloon, but she would go berserk and attempt to attack any water tower that she saw after that.  Phobias and fears may also involve odors, people, vehicles, wind, and a host of other things.   

          Fears and phobias come about if an event causes enough of a traumatic reaction that it leaves a lasting imprint on the dog.  If a scary event happens during one of the puppy fear periods it can turn into a lifetime phobia.  Many of these fears can be lessened through de-sensitization and counter-conditioning, and by learning proper calming techniques.  (Some things we do that we think will help calm and soothe a frightened dog can actually reinforce the fearful behavior.) 

 

          There are many sources of information that may be helpful, including books and the internet, but sometimes the help of a good trainer is the best thing.  In severe cases, the dog’s veterinarian may recommend medication to use along with the behavior modification program.  Punishing the dog or forcing him to “face his fears” is definitely not helpful. 

          Maybe this old Scottish prayer would help these dogs:  “From Ghoulies and Ghosties and Long-Leggedy Beasties and things that go bump in the night, Good Lord deliver us!”

  
By Dorothy Miner

Dorothy Miner is a long-time dog obedience and tracking instructor, judge of canine events, and author.  She teaches weekly classes for the Allen Oakwood Correctional Institution’s PETS Program and provides training and consultation under the banner of “Sidekicks” and “Training for Dogs and Their People.”