Some of the most challenging behavior issues that comfort many dogs owners are PHOBIASS– this refer to extreme and persistent fear of objects or particular situations. While fear is a natural and useful emotional response to a life – threatening situation, and most dogs will experience some amount of fear throughout their lives, a phobia is a fear that, under certain circumstances, becomes an exaggeration of the actual danger posed.
What are some examples of dog phobia?One example is the case hunter, a four year old Golden Retriever that will happily take a stroll in Bonifacio High Street during the early part of the day, but when his owner takes him there late in the afternoon, he will have a panic attack for no apparent reason. Even while still in the car, Hunter will begin to salivate profusely and become agitated. And no amount of coaxing or bribing will get him out of the car.
Then there’s the case of Harry, a seven year old Jack Russel Terrier that has a terrible tantrum every time he goes to the vet clinic. From a block away, Harry starts to get agitated, he has hysterical fits and barks madly as he is brought down from the car. Because of his attitude, people form the clinic already know he’s coming, and this has been a perennial source of stress for his owner. Both Hunter and Harry’s cases vividly illustrate how a phobias can cause a life of anguish to both human and pet.
Apart from Thunderstorm and vet clinics, other more common dogs phobias include fireworks, gunshots, and car rides. Il less common situations, dogs may even develop phobias to certain odors, people on crutches or wheelchairs, or even open spaces, Its normal for dogs to be afraid for this things, but when they exhibit extreme physical and involuntary reactions like shivering, panting, or salivating in a state of panic, then it has become a serious issue that will need professional help.
How does a dog develop a phobia of something?
In almost all cases, phobias are learned by association. Occurring usually around the period of social maturity between 12 and 36 months of age, a dog may go to through a traumatic experience and may quickly associates that terrifying moment with something totally neutral. From then on, any event associated with it, or the memory of it, is sufficient enough to trigger a response. In Hunter’s case he associates the place around Boni High Street with the unbearable loud noise of thunder, specially when it is dark od cloudy. In Harry’s case he associates the image of the vet clinic with pain and suffering that the might have experienced in the clinic. Many dogs are born with a temperament that predisposes them to developing phobias. Shy and timid, these dogs will show signs of fearfulness at a very young age even without the occurrence if anything traumatic. As a puppy, Hunter would run away at the sight of a laundry basket, a plastic bag, or upon hearing the vacuum cleaner, When he was four months old, he played with a tablecloth and when he tugged it, all the plates and cutlery came crushing down around him. That was his first traumatic experience involving intense sound.
Adding to the genetic component, the lock of socialization in many puppies may also lead to them developing phobias. Manny well-meaning owners, following the instruction of their vets not to take the dogs out of the house until after the vaccinations are complete, will miss out on the socialization period between two to four months of age, during which puppies must gradually be exposed to new things it will later encounter in the human world. New people, new objects, other dogs and animals— all of these arre potentially frightening situations to a puppy. And with little or no socialization, these dogs may become highly prone to developing phobias of them in time.
How do you deal with it?
Thankfully, many new studies have led to several treatment protocols that dead with phobias. Clinicians are now encouraged to treat rather than just manage them. And because every dog is different and because phobias will vary in severity, there is currently no one treatment that will work for all dogs. Some dogs will miraculously recover quickly, some may take a long and tedious process, and others will at most show at least some improvement.
No matter what treatment protocol is selected, it is important that before a dog undergoes any behavior program, he must be healthy. Any medical issues must first be addressed prior to therapy, so consult your vet beforehand. Keep in mind that any treatment must not make the problem worse, A poorly designed and implemented program can do more harm that good, so work only with certified professionals.
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