I think a lot of dogs are gun shy, and it is hard to break them if the sound is not consistent and in a controlled situation. When I first got Chopper and I wanted him to be use to things that make a lot of noise, Harley, garage tools, law mower, weed wacker, etc, I just put him on a leash and completely ignored that little spastic attack he was having trying to get away. Now I did not stand right near the item making the sound, probably 40-50 feet away at least (we have a long driveway so I usually stood at one end while the other was being run at the other end). I put him on his leash and just stood there. He yanked and yanked, I did not even speak to him or look at him as I knew of course those noisy things were not going to hurt him. I did not even use treats. After probably the second or third time being near something noisy he didn't care any more. I can walk him through a Harley Dealer parking lot with motorcycles driving all around him and as long as no one acts like an A$$ and shows off but taking off like a bat out of hell he is fine(even then he just jumps as it startles him and then he goes right back to what he was doing). Doesn't even pay any attention, will walk right past a bike that is running but parked without even trying to move away from it. Actually we had a time where we were in a Harley and the salesman was taking a bike out into the sun for my parents to look at it, when he started the bike up and was leaving the area we were in, Chopper started running towards him (he likes to ride and he thought he was getting left behind). Needless to say he was on a leash so I had complete control. But it is possible to break the fear. The only thing Chopper is afraid of is the vacuum and to be honest at first I wanted to help him by letting him know it was okay but I ended up just letting him be and he has gotten better all on his own. Good luck with Fenway, He is such a CUTIE PIE!
Reply With Quote
Bookmarks