Nervous Of Noises And Movement In House And Outside. Any Advice?

[Guest KatyC]

Hello,

Peggy is still very jumpy of even small noises in the house and even more outside. Should we just carry on as normal and not fuss her too much when she is anxious? Not really sure how we should be acting when she gets spooked in the house and out of the house. Any advice? Does anyone remember how long this will last until the get used to the noises? We feel like everytime we move she gets stressed out!

Thanks

[msjpk]

I have one also who is afraid of strange noises. He has gotten better, I don't make a big deal but I do

say to him "its ok". He now knows to look at me to reassure him that nothing bad will happen.

Your pupper needs more time to adjust to all these noises that he is not use to.

[greysmom]

Each dog has their own timetable. You don't say how long you have had Peggy, but if it is less than several months, I wouldn't stress about this behavior too much.

 

Make sure she has a quiet place to hang out that can be her "safe" place - her crate, a bed in a quiet bedroom, a closet - wherever she's comfortable. She might spend A LOT of time there in the beginning. Maybe only coming out for potty breaks or eating. As she becomes more comfortable you can begin to block her access to it for longer and longer periods. A DAP (Dog Appeasing Pheromones) diffuser and/or Rescue Remedy can help her get through this time.

 

It used to be the common advice to never "coddle" or comfort your scared or anxious dog to not reinforce the anxious behavior. Recently, many trainers have backtracked on this. If a baby was scared and crying you would naturally pick it up and comfort it, you would never ignore it and leave it alone. Dogs can easily tell the difference between receiving comfort and receiving behavioral reinforcement. If she will take treats, then sit quietly near her and toss her a YUMMY treat when she's calm and relaxed. Sit on the floor next to her bed and read a book or magazine. Even reading out loud to her can help.

 

Most of all, give her time and patience. She's never been anywhere like this before and everything is new and sometimes scary. Remember she would rather not be this way, but doesn't know how else to react.

[Guest KatyC]

We have only had her a week. I don't want to seem impatient, I just want to make sure that we are doing the right things. She has a safe room which she does spend a lot of time in. But sometimes comes out to lay in the lounge with us if it is quiet.

We have a dap diffuser too.

Thanks for your help.

[Guest june]

I agree with Greysmom. Give her a place to go when she is stressed, but don't let her hide out all the time. When she comes out lots of positive reinforcement with pets and treats. One week is a very short time. Hang in there she will come around. Oh, and Congratulations on your new family member!

[Guest Scouts_mom]

If you have only had her a week and she is coming out of "her" place when it is quiet, then you are doing everything right. You are probably sick of hearing this, but be patient and give her time. She may always be slightly on the timid side, but she will become a bouncy happy member of your family. In a week she will be better and in a month she will be even better. It just takes time and each dog does it on their own schedule.

[JJNg]

It used to be the common advice to never "coddle" or comfort your scared or anxious dog to not reinforce the anxious behavior. Recently, many trainers have backtracked on this. If a baby was scared and crying you would naturally pick it up and comfort it, you would never ignore it and leave it alone. Dogs can easily tell the difference between receiving comfort and receiving behavioral reinforcement.

For me, it's not a matter or whether to comfort the dog, it's more a matter of how that comforting is done. Dogs feed off of our moods, so you should remain calm and confident when offering the dog some emotional support. I suspect some dogs may get worse when 'coddled' because many people try to comfort the dog in a way that conveys anxiety and worry to the dog. The person is just worried about the dog, but the dog thinks that the person is worried about the same thing that is scaring him.

 

Accidentally reinforcing anxious behavior isn't a concern. When a dog is scared and stressed, he's operating on an emotional level. Even if you reward scared behavior with treats, it won't make the dog more scared. If the dog is able to take the treats, his emotional association with the scary situation will gradually improve.

Edited January 13, 2013 by JJNg

[a_daerr]

It used to be the common advice to never "coddle" or comfort your scared or anxious dog to not reinforce the anxious behavior.

 

I'm still in this camp. I've seen a lot of people create problems by coddling the dog. If everytime the dog hears a loud noise and you jump to comfort him, it conveys the message, "You need comforted because there IS something to be afraid of." Henry came to us very shy and fearful and after he became comfortable with us, we started taking him everywhere. If he balked, I used the phrase "no big deal," offered him a treat, and he would usually continue on. I never forced him to do anything he wasn't comfortable with, but I did gradually push his anxiety threshold. He's bombproof now.

[Guest KatyC]

Thanks we have decided to try the more confident less comforting approach for now and see how that works as that is what my parents have always done with puppies and they turned out just fine too. And if you guys did it and it worked then its obviously fine to do it backs up our thinking that this is the right way to go with her. Unfortunately she won't take treats when she is scared.

Hopefully she will turn out like henry

She is going to see her brother today to have a run in their big garden and a walk in the field.

[Guest KatyC]

Just to let you know we just took her on a short walk past some traffic and various noises. We were firmer with her and we didn't coddle her, and just kept going when she got freaked and said come on. And it was much more successful definately going with this approach thanks again guys. You are so helpful!