Greyhound Suddenly Seems Scared Of Everything

[Guest GreytLulu]

Last night my grey heard a big bang and it really scared her and she ran back in the house, we were in the garden, and she started panting a lot and drooling, she then proceeded to try and hide herself behind the couch. That was about 6pm. Then there was a party going down the road and it was quite noisey so as soon as she went outside she'd try and run straight back in again and do the same, this went on all night and so she wasn't relieving herself. We feed her by the back door aswell and she would eat a mouthful and then run away which is EXTREMELY unlike her, she adores food. Last night just so I knew she'd relieved herself I ended up walking her round the garden for half an hour on a lead just round and round, and she kept getting spooked easily by small noises. Eventually she did relieve herself and then we went in. We went to bed and this morning she seemed happy and fine and ate with enthusiasm again so I felt less concerned. We went for our walk and stopped off at our favourite cafe, we went in and usually she lies down at my feet at the table and is generally relaxed but her panting got so rapid and she was drooling everywhere I started to feel a bit worried, I noticed her tail tucked right under and I hurried my drink and left with her. As soon as we were outside she calmed down again and seemed okay, but then coming back home she seems a bit off and worried again. I'm a bit lost as to what to do/how to help her. She's been with us a few weeks now and seems to be settling in fine, she's such a happy girl and her stools are normal, but she just seems somehow "off" in her mood, easily frightened when she wasn't before. I've done a health check and can't feel anything, and it does seem to be more behavioural, I'm going to take her to the vets to rule out anything, but if it is sudden behavioural, I'm lost as to what to do to ease her anxiety when she's getting anxious in a situation she was okay with the last few times we went (the cafe). I know they're sensitive dogs but 2 days being scared because of one bang is confusing? How can I help calm her down when she seems to get stressed? Did I do the right thing by taking her out of the situation making her anxious?

[JohnF]

When they've been spooked by something it can take quite a while for them to get back to being normal. Ideally they need to be able to go back to their safe place, be it their crate or their bed in a quiet corner. Then they need to see routine things happening around them as if there's no problem. Sometimes if you react too protectively they'll work out for sure that there is a problem and only listen and watch out for it happening again more intently.

 

A had one dog that so hated thunderstorms that she could tell they were coming from a long way away. Her safe place was under the computer table, and that is where I let her stay. Cuddling and other nonsense didn't help at all, so I learned to let her stay in her safe place. Logically that would have been like the deepest part of the den.

 

Many years ago one of my borzois was spooked by stupid kids letting off a firework rocket in the park. She slipped her 'correctly-fitted' leather collar. and ran back home which involved crossing a busy town road. When I got back I made out that I was really pleased to find her there and just let her in as normal and carried on with the rest of the day. It's hard to do that but sometimes I think it stops the fear from growing. I don't think they connect punishment or correction even 15 seconds after they've done something bad, and instead will the the person as unreliable and less-protecting. That means the dog looks out for danger more of the time, which of course is your role really.

[Busderpuddle]

Our Ruby is the same way, and we are now winding down from the 4th of July fireworks. She is terrified of every noise and bump for several days after being frightened, and we just let her pant and pace around until she mellows out. She will usually go and pant in her crate. It is hard to watch and everyone's anxiety in the house goes up. As she ages, she seems to get a bit worse. She is now afraid of the ice maker, and the BBQ as it cools down and pops. It is hard to watch, but I agree that it is best to just go about your day as if nothing is bothering you, and she will follow eventually. Good luck.

[greysmom]

Yes, as crazy as it seems, this is a pretty normal behavioral reaction to being suddenly scared by an unknown loud noise.

 

Fix her a safe place, deep inside the house where the bangs and explosions will be heard the least, and let her just hcill out there. Don't worry about taking her out while she's in the midst of this reaction. Just let her stay there til she seems to be calming down, and the outside is calm - we set alarms for around 3am to take the dogs out on big fireworks nights.

 

Then she will be hyper-attentive to loud noises for a few days. Just sort of ignore her and make sure she has her normal schedule back. Do what you normally do on a day to day basis. Let her stay where she wants to the rest of the time.

 

If she becomes too reclusive, or doesn't bounce back after a few days, or keeps getting re-scared by new noises, it will be time to talk with your vet about a short course of anti anxiety meds. There are loads of OTC calming products and homeopathic products that can help support her through episodes like these too. And she would probably benefit from wearing a DAP collar and having a diffuser or two in the house. Generally UK vets are a bit behind are US ones in understanding and uses of anti anxiety prescriptions. You can search here in the Health section of the forum for many (many many) threads regarding them.

 

For the future you should anticipate her issues with loud noises as much as you can - Guy Fawkes Day, New Years, etc - and get her on a prescription for those times prior to the booms and explosions beginning.

[FiveRoooooers]

Every summer one of our neighbors runs a corn cannon seven days a week, 7a-7p, blasting every 10-12 minutes to supposedly scare away the crows and geese from his corn. It freaked out poor Foster Sweet. What I did was when the blast went off I'd sing in a silly happy voice "Dopey nayyy-bors" over and over and offer her a high-value treat. Eventually when she heard the blast she'd come trotting over to me, looking for a treat.Sweet started out totally ignoring me or running away because she was so unnerved. I'd shove a treat in her mouth and keep singing the silliness to distract her. It didn't take long for her to prefer high-value treats over a stupid corn cannon.

[Guest GreytLulu]

That's great advice, thank you so much everyone.

 

In regards to the cafe, did I do the right thing by taking her out of the situation? Obviously I'd like to build her confidence back up so she feels happy again there like she did before, how am I best to go about this? Just keep taking her there and acting like everything's normal?

[GeorgeofNE]

You're rushing her into more socialization than she's comfortable with. Chill out! If she doesn't enjoy the cafe (my dog would rather die) don't take her. A few weeks is barely a scratch on the surface. Just slow down and I'm sure it'll all be fine in te end!

[Busderpuddle]

I would think that once she calms down at home, you might try the cafe again to see if she is her old self there again. I would keep trying it if it is somewhere you would like to be able to take her.

[BatterseaBrindl]

Dont take her anywhere until she is very calm at home. Very calm.

 

Don't rush it. Time is your friend.

Edited July 17, 2017 by BatterseaBrindl