OntarioSheltie
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That's easier said than done. The only thing he consistently reacts to is the sound of cars starting. His reaction to the fire alarm was too upsetting to him, I don't think it would be beneficial at this point to try and desensitize him to it.
Some days he's completely fine, other days he's not. When he starts carrying on its not because we're anticipating it, he usually startles us.
The wind and things being blown by the wind were the biggest culprits. How can I possibly desensitize that? When the wind was bothering him he'd act up when he heard sounds on tv and when the heat came on. He also began carrying on about the mistletoe and was suspiciously eying our stuffed sheltie (or it could have been the speaker the sheltie was on, but I think it was the sheltie.
Then, after being thorougly frustrated for 3 days, he didn't act up once yesterday and performed like a star at obedience. He didn't even react at the loud heater or ceiling fan coming on, though my trainer saw me eying it and told me that I was going to make him react. But like I said, he never does when I expect him to.
The smoke detector in our kitchen isn't usually too bad, except that we changed the battery when day light savings time started so now its extra sensitive. My dh didn't actually burn the toast he was making, it was the steam that set it off.
If we don't react, he doesn't stop. He just rushes frantically around the house barking, whining, panting, etc. When the smoke detector went off and he started freaking, my top priority was to calm him down. He was so beside himself though he was barking as if he was in pain and when I realized that he was not going to calm down, I started trying to fan the smoke detector. I was VERY annoyed with my DH, who just continued to butter his toast like nothing was happening instead of trying to help.
What am I supposed to do when he's rushing around in a panic and won't come to me?
When he has one of his bad days, should I have him leashed near me so that he's easier to console (I usually just make him lie down, or massage his neck/rough when he's really worked up)?
He's beginning to remind me of Ruckus, Ruckusluvr's dog, only to a lesser extent and without the fear aggression. I'd PM her but she hasn't been online for months...
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). If you want more info I will contact her and see. I think most health food type places would carry it, and I doubt it is expensive.