Fear of heights??? * PICS added * !!

My friend owns a beautiful brown English Cocker Spaniel. His name is Tobey.
He is very healthy and has good appetite. I think he is 3 years old now.

Tobey has a big problem: he has fear of heights!! Even the table, or a chair is to heigh :eek: ! The highest thing he dares to be on, is the lap of his owner.... :( . Going to the vet is always a huge drama for Tobey :( . All vets always ask you to put the dog "on the table". When you do this with Tobey, he is trembling like a leaf and has this terrified look in his eyes. So now the vet always let him stay on the floor, and bends down to examinate Tobey :)
When they want to trim his fur, they have to sit on there knees to do this....!
It sounds funny, but it is a real problem!

My friend is wondering if other dogs have this problem too. Also she would like to know if and how something can be done to overcome his fear of heights.

I kind of think if she took some agility classes it will build her confidents. T.j was afraid of heights until I took classes with him. Agility does wonders for dogs that are not confident. I would ask her to look in her area for a agility trainer.

Tobey went to agility classes, several times, but no use! I di-on't think he will ever get over it. :(

Got 1 extra pic of Tobey! I love his bright brown fur!!( there 3 more pics added to post #1)

I'm sorry I don't know of anything that could help. I'd just like to say he is GORGOUS!!

Tobey is a beautiful dog. :) I personally think that a lot of dogs seem
afraid when placed on the Vets table, or grooming table is because of the
slick surface of the table. Most Vets have smooth, wipeable exam tables
for quick cleanups.Dogs can't get a firm grip on the surface & are uncomfortable standing on it.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by lizbud

Tobey is a beautiful dog. :) I personally think that a lot of dogs seem
afraid when placed on the Vets table, or grooming table is because of the
slick surface of the table..

---

He is afraid on EVERY surface!! You should him tremble like a leaf!!

Perhaps she could desensitize him to heights. Start on a low platform and praise him and love on him and when he gets comfortable with that make it a little higher and then a little higher and a little higher of course waiting until he is completely comfortable with each height.

Also it might sound wierd but when he is sniffing around the platform encourage him to get up. My Teddy has a fear of new stairs. We just moved into a house and he would NOT go down the basement steps but I just let him take his time and didn't force anything and when he put one paw down on the next step I made a huge deal and told him how good he was and that it was ok if he kept going. When he put another paw down I made an even bigger deal. Now he loves the basement steps :D