Posted: Mon Dec 11, 2006 4:00 pm Post subject: Noise Sensitivity
Oyster is almost 6 months old now and I can only assume she has hit a fear stage with avengance.
As you probably know from previous posts, she has never liked my Dyson. As soon as I pull it out of the cupboard she runs to her crate and shakes. She also does this now with the hairdryer and the ironing board. I have never taken any notice of these behaviours but now they are getting worse.
She doesn't like the rattling of supermarket trolleys, or the noise the freezers make, doors that whoosh as they open, or doors that slam shut, road sweepers, lorries that are parked and ticking over.....Infact there isn't much she isn't scared of at the moment ....Basically if it makes a noise it's scary!!!
She was bold as brass as a tiny pup, the many nights of fireworks didn't bother her at all. I have regular music sessions here, with Guitars, drums etc and they are not a problem. We live in a fairly noisy house, having two teenage sons, so it isn't because she is only used to peace and quiet.
I'm at a loss as to what to do. I'm ignoring more or less everything...and my voice has permanently got stuck at "jolly hockey sticks" pitch.
It is so sad because I know she is finding everything stressful......As soon as we get out she starts to whine, lick her lips, stress yawn and then ultimately produces a pile of very sloppy poo (even thought she has only just been before we came out ).
She is a different dog when she is doing normal dog things, running around having fun with other dogs, so I'm wondering if she needs more if this and less exposure to the scary stuff.
Also.....it occurred to me that when I looked after the horses, if the food they were on was too heating (rich) for them, they often became spooky....Does this happen with dogs too???? I've never fed puppy food before so I've no idea.
Please....any suggestion on a postcard.....addressed, To The Lady with the Woosie Pup.
I can't really suggest anything, as i haven't experienced what you describe.
Just bumping, you sound like your doing all the right things though by ignoring!
Oyster's still young hopefully this will disappear soon.
I cant suggest anything either Jules. I have had this with my springer Chloe since we picked her up as a pup. She was kept on a kennel as young pup so by time we brought her home, she hadnt really been living in a home.
She has got a little better, she used to wet herself as soon as she heard anything even the toilet flushing!!!
She still hates the hoover and we have been whistle training the dogs, she hates that, but will cope with things like the tv and toilet now.
That's what I don't understand...Oyster was born and bought up inside....and has been taken out and about (albeit carried) from 10 weeks old. She was such a bold pup...nothing seemed to phase her....Perhaps I took that for granted too much and overdone her socialization (is that possible???).
Maybe she wasn't coping as well as I thought....What I thought was her sitting there taking it all in...could have been her sitting worrying about it all.....Eeeekkkk HAVE I BROKEN MY PUP??????? *Paranoia setting in now*.
Puppies can certainly get spooky at that age. You probably remember my stories on here about Amy getting worried about starting pistols as she approached 9 months. Now, 9 months later she happily sits beside 12 bores without batting an eyelid. And just like Oyster, the Dyson terrified her, as did the lawn mower!
Quiet, calm and sensitive handling and she how wont get out of the way, even if you run into her with it!
You know the story about the starting pistol, I just left it laying about on a low table in the living room. (I must say, some visitors looked a bit sideways at me!) The vacuum cleaner, I never forced it on her, or the lawn mower. It was just no big thing. It really never mattered whether she accepted them or not. But gradually she started walking out of the room instead of running. Then she started just moving to the other side of the room. Now she is 100% confident!
Don't try to rush things Jules, it may take months. Treat it as no big thing, totally unimportant.
I know what you're saying is right John....I just feel under pressure to get this right, especially as she is my first GDBA pup.
There feels like there is so much I have to achieve in such a short time.
I suppose if she was mine I'd put her on a shelf for a while to let the dust settle....but I don't really have that option with her....I have targets/deadlines to be met...It's quite sad really, she's only a baby.
Poor Oyster but I'm sure she'll grow out of it.
I had this problem with shep and I rewarded him for staying where he was when I hoovered. Now he wont move at all!!! He's all brave now he knows the hoover wont come after him! (It did in his previous house! )
I've been lucky with Amber she doesn't seem scared of anything but I know that the wrong reaction from me will result in her becoming afraid of things, shes very sensitive. so everything is 'not a big deal' and that 'I'm in charge' so she just follows along. If she gets spooked outside over anything I don't say anything to her but just carry on like 'oh is that all'
I hope things work out with Oyster I'm sure it will get better with time
____________ Kimberley,Sheppy and Amber
Amber/Shep
I hear what you're saying Jules. Do the GDBA people not come round these days? In the past they used to call in every so often to see how things are going and offer advice.
I get a visit every 4-6 weeks, John, but all I seem to get is more homework....and if I query anything...I just get told "she's doing fine"....or "she'll get over it".
Maybe I'm looking too deeply into what they are expecting.
I've arranged to meet another puppy walker next week...one with a few other pups under her belt....I shall pick her brains for all it's worth when I meet her.
Actually...when I spoke to her..and told her I was having problems with Oysters tum too...the first thing she said was "Oh I don't feed mine that (meaning Hill's), I tell them what I'm going to feed mine on and they have to lump it". And there was me last week grovelling for all I was worth to get them to *let* me change her food...and even then I was only *allowed* to change it for yet another protein rich puppy food.....
That short conversation with her certainly made me think about a few things...I can tell you.
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(It did in his previous house! 
