training dogs to be sensible near things that go bang ?

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training dogs to be sensible near things that go bang ?

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dpack

Joined: 02 Jul 2005
Posts: 46211
Location: yes

Posted: Fri Aug 27, 10 2:45 pm Post subject: training dogs to be sensible near things that go bang ?

im trying to get ki used to bangs by using a co2 self loader plastic ball pistol in the house, it makes lots of noise and pings things in a convincing way

at first it spooked her now she steps behind the "gun line"and chills

i recon it is a fairly safe way to get pups used to bangs , calm in the presence of bangy stuff is a good skill for any mutt even if they dont hunt (fireworks ,engines that backfire etc )

how do you get dogs used to bangs ?

Katieowl

Joined: 01 Jun 2006
Posts: 4317
Location: West Wales

Posted: Fri Aug 27, 10 4:37 pm Post subject:

Sigh....my old doggie used to hide up the front of my jumper and quake on fireworks night. He was a staffie that weighed nearly 25 kilos...some tough dog huh?

In the end we used to hire the loudest action movie we could lay our hands on, draw the curtains and turn the volume UP, sit of the sofa together and eat treats. Helped for the bulk of the evening, but there were always a few stray bangs and whistles... think it was the whistles he hated most.

He also hated the popping hissing noises the fire made, I could never persuade him it was actually nice to sit in front of it. Can't tell you how many days I sat with my coat on - he probably save me a fortune!

Kate

dpack

Joined: 02 Jul 2005
Posts: 46211
Location: yes

Posted: Fri Aug 27, 10 4:47 pm Post subject:
i hear such things too often ,

lottie

Joined: 11 Aug 2005
Posts: 5059
Location: ceredigion

Posted: Fri Aug 27, 10 5:25 pm Post subject:

I'm sure they never forget a traumatic experience. I had a golden retriever who was totally bombproof with noise and would happily watch fireworks etc. However as a puppy a very large old fashioned clothes airer had broken and fallen on her and she was always panicked by anything over her--so there were places we could never go through.No amount of trying to gently introduce her to things above her worked, she always either panicked or cowered.

Katieowl

Joined: 01 Jun 2006
Posts: 4317
Location: West Wales

Posted: Fri Aug 27, 10 5:32 pm Post subject:
Yes...I agree with that. Mine are from a 'broken home' they hate grown ups shouting at each other (not that that happens much LOL) and also Rox goes beserk if anyone starts swatting at flies with a rolled up newspaper....wonder why THAT is??? She's not keen on OH flicking at them (flies) with a tea-towel either - Neither am I but that's for different reasons Kate

Bernie66

Joined: 14 Jan 2005
Posts: 13967
Location: Eastoft

Posted: Fri Aug 27, 10 8:49 pm Post subject:

lottie wrote:

My dog (puppyish) is exactly the same with clothes driers, its funny what spooks them after a "bad"experience

alison
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 29 Oct 2004
Posts: 12918
Location: North Devon

Posted: Fri Aug 27, 10 9:11 pm Post subject:
I have a friend on here who keeps their great dane in a room, behind a flimsy clothes airer

lottie

Joined: 11 Aug 2005
Posts: 5059
Location: ceredigion

Posted: Fri Aug 27, 10 9:21 pm Post subject:
The one that fell on Amber was one of those huge old fashioned ceiling racks[3x the size of a Sheila maid] It was very heavy and full of clothes and caused her an enormous shock.

yummersetter

Joined: 26 Jan 2008
Posts: 3241
Location: Somerset

Posted: Fri Aug 27, 10 9:30 pm Post subject:

There seems to be a imprinting period when they are small puppies when unexpected experiences affect them for all their lives - round about the time their mum should be teaching them if they weren't separated, I guess.

But I think sensitivity to certain things can be inherited. The mother of our setter Star, Stella, wouldn't walk on shiny surface, she would just crawl on her belly across a polished floor, trembling. She bought up all her litters in the barn, beaten earth and cobbles - but for all his life we couldn't get Star across a shiny floor. She couldn't have demonstrated that to the young ones. He hated bangs too, and I tried desensitizing him when young as I'd had fireworks night trauma with his uncle.

Our last two setters had one or the other parents from different lines and couldn't have cared less about bangs, floors - the present boy has never shown any fear, just takes life as if the unexpected is interesting but normal.

She's a lucky girl, to have you being so thoughtful in your care, DPack

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