Fear of some noises

When dealing with a fearful dog, its important to remember that providing them with comfort isn't a bad thing! I've copied and pasted this from a post I read online, I think it explains what I'm trying to say better than I can. :smile2:

1. There is a difference between comfort and coddling. When you comfort: say relaxing massage, gentle stroking, calm words of assurance, you are creating a positive association with the negative stimuli. Things that the dog really loves paired with things that are scary. When you coddle: hugging, cooing, fast light pats, you could be increasing the anxiety the dog feels or putting your own anxiety on them.

2. When a dog is in an extreme fear state, it is not in a position to learn much. At that point the flight or fight instinct has taken over and they are panicking. So this really depends on what "fear" you are dealing with. I had a dog that would spook at snowmen. In those times I would walk up to the snowman and touch it. Allow the dog to sniff it and move along. No comfort there. But say the same dog had a fear of men (which she did, but not this extreme). In those cases she would not just spook, but shake, hackle and bark. So, I would feed her the best treats in the presence of men. Her focus would be on me and she learned to associate men with yummy things. This is classical conditioning not operant, I think.

This web site and blog also has some good info in how best to handle a fearful dog.

http://fearfuldogs.com/
http://fearfuldogs.wordpress.com/2008/12/20/go-ahead-comfort-that-scared-dog/
 
My order for Rescue Remedy came in before the storm hit. It seems to work quite well for her, as she didn't start attempting to hide until the storm was right on top of us. I blocked her way under the bed, so she opted for the crate, which I find a LOT more acceptable. I let her go hide, but still talking to her as if nothing were going on. She came out after a few minutes and stood staring at me until I let her up on the bed with me (I have to lie down a lot due to spinal problems). She's already a manipulator and I've only had her a little over two weeks! :uhoh:

It's supposed to storm for the next two days, so I'll have plenty of opportunity to try the elastic bandage as well.

Wish me luck!
 
Melissa - I love that statement 'there is a difference between comfort and coddling'. That really does explain it well
 
I'm afraid my definition of comforting vs. coddling has too many gray areas! I have always tended towards coddling <hanging head in shame>. The degree varies with the dog's personality, I've found. And probably because some dogs are more manipulative than others. :rolleyes2:

While we're all trying to settle in to routine, I think the coddling won't do much harm. And when we're all comfortable with each other, then we'll work on the rough bits.

Tear-jerker moment of the week:

Went to Petsmart with Bela on Saturday morning for a smidgen of socialization. They were doing a rescue event and had crates lining one entire front wall of the store - most were empty with open doors as they were transferring dogs from vehicles.

A lady with another (huge) Sheltie stopped us to ask how old Bela was, and we talked a few minutes about the size discrepancies (her dog was twice Bela's petite size). I suddenly felt a tug on the leash, and looked around. Bela stood in one of the rescue crates, looking at me accusingly. I got the feeling that she thought I was going to leave her there. I had to take Bela to the car and hold her tight and tell her (for the umpteenth time) that she'd found her forever home and I wouldn't do such a nasty thing to her. Just about broke my heart to see the look on her little pixie face while she was standing in that crate.
 
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