Skip to content

Scared of people / crowds

Behavioral Issues
  • Not unusual to be sensitive to selective things. My first boy was deathly afraid of the central vac. I cured that by feeding him in the opposite end of the house while it was running, then gradually moving it closer as his anxiety eased. Move the hose first, vacuum off, then after some time to get used to that, turn it on in the new position. Over the space of a few weeks we went from it literally scaring the shit out of him to him being able to eat his dinner with the hose coiled around his dish and the vacuum running. These things take time, and I never pushed him past his comfort level. If you take it a step too far, go back to the last known comfort zone (or further, if necessary) and eventually you will get there.

    I should add, I adopted him at just under 2 years of age, and he arrived with this phobia.

  • @sarahmiri - Usually the "fear" period is not at his age, but earlier...... It can't hurt to make sure that his hearing is normal... always good to scratch off any possibles...

  • @sarahmiri said in Scared of people / crowds:

    He does hear when I prepare his food even when doors are closed

    oh good... well, then. Perhaps helping him by describing what the noises are?
    "There's a noisy truck coming down the road", or "It's ok, it's just a motorcycle."
    -- I'm only thinking out loud.

  • I talk to him with a calm voice but it doesn't help. I think he needs to built up his selfesteem. Any tips?

  • You need to build up his confidence, @sarahmiri - This is not something he can easily do for himself. Don't push him out of his comfort zone at first, but then very gradually and if he gets things right, LOTS of praise and cuddles. Let him know how clever he is at each step and take things slowly. You will need to be patient, but do have his ears checked, sudden loud noises rather than something continuous could be upsetting him.

  • @sarahmiri said in Scared of people / crowds:

    I talk to him with a calm voice but it doesn't help. I think he needs to built up his selfesteem. Any tips?

    Calm is good. Also, radiate interest rather than alarm at anything that is happening around you. Here is a chance to hone your acting skills. Adopt the attitude that whatever is approaching or whatever you are approaching is a special treat, something enticing, not threatening. If you can make yourself "feel" that, your dog will pick up on your emotions and hopefully adopt the same attitude. OTOH, if you are apprehensive about anything, he will pick up on that too, so it's important to try to really feel positive instead of concerned.

  • I watched him closely today. It's always humans that scare him. When one appears he just looks (interesting enough to pull on the leash). When it's two or more in different directions he is overwhelmed and looks panicky from one to the other. Sometimes he walks a bow and sometimes he pulls to them. How should I behave when he panics?

  • If you are out with him, squat down beside him, talking to him calmly the while and hold him close. Cuddle him while reassuring him. Tell him there is nothing to worry about, Mom is with him. Stroke him, cuddle him, let him feel you are really close to him. Do NOT pick him up. Get down to his level.

  • @sarahmiri said in Scared of people / crowds:

    It's always humans that scare him.

    That's good, if he was only scared of Martians he'd be normal. ;)

    When it's two or more in different directions he is overwhelmed and looks panicky

    He might be confused about how he can protect you if danger is coming from two different places... (?)

    How should I behave when he panics?

    Stop walking, put your foot on the leash so his movement is limited, and tell him, "It's okay... I'm right here" until he calms down. You can pet him while you do it, you just want to reassure him that you can protect him, too. Let him know that you've got this and everything is ok.

  • Do you think it helps to carry him when he gets scared?

  • @sarahmiri - I would say no to carrying him.... don't pick him up, but get down to his level as Zande pointed out in her response.

Suggested Topics

  • Driving/travel Issues

    Behavioral Issues
    22
    1 Votes
    22 Posts
    3k Views
    I
    @elbrant It goes on till we get where we are going then he knows when we are going home because he is much more relaxed. So we do not go on many car rides.
  • Peeing on People!!

    Behavioral Issues
    15
    0 Votes
    15 Posts
    4k Views
    torchsongT
    Had a Corgi at the bark park come up to me, look at me with the cute face Corgis have, then lift his leg and pee all over my shoe. I gave him the same line I give She-Ra: "You're lucky you're so damn cute!" :)
  • Attacking People!

    Behavioral Issues
    4
    0 Votes
    4 Posts
    2k Views
    tanzaT
    Has he had a full medical check up? Especially a full Thyroid panel done? I really would doubt that his being neutered has anything to do with it… certainly I have never heard of that before.... but I would first get a full medical done (including an eye exam with a Ophth), with full blood work and full thyroid panel (which typically must be sent out separate from normal blood work that your Vet might do) and then contact a behaviorist to work with him (and the family).
  • Stranger/Roommate Agression

    Behavioral Issues
    11
    0 Votes
    11 Posts
    4k Views
    wizardW
    I had a mixed breed when I was in college that was the nicest dog - even tempered when strangers were around. Then one day I was talking to a fellow (at a campground) with my dog just laying nearby and the man suddenly raised his arm to make a point in the conversation - my dog took after him just like you described. I think my dog thought he was attacking me and so went after him. The situation with your dad kind of sounds like that.
  • Resourceful/Territorial??

    Behavioral Issues
    11
    0 Votes
    11 Posts
    4k Views
    JazzysMomJ
    We have two cats, a 13 yr old and a 2.5 yr old. They have lived in harmony with Gypsy their entire lives. They used to snuggle together to sleep. In fact, the old guy has outlived two other dogs! Then Jazzy moved in. Two years later, it's STILL a battle. We worked hard –HARD -- on "Leave it!!", and Jazzy has EXCELLENT obedience for that , except where the cats are concerned. IF I see the cat first and say, "Leave it", she almost always will. But if the cat catches her eye first, she's gone before I even know what happened, and she won't stop once she's in run-mode. We keep a gate across the hall that leads to the kids' bedrooms and bathroom. The litter boxes, which used to be in the garage, are now in that bathroom {I HATE that!!}, as is the cat food/water. The gate is removed at night after Jazzy is tucked into her kennel and replaced in the morning. The cats have learned to stay in the bedrooms during the day, and roam the house at night. They don't seem to mind; all they really used to do was sleep on the couch all day. Now they sleep on the beds all day. Sometimes the younger cat comes down while Jazzy is sleeping and gets up on the back of the couch because she knows she is safe as long as she stays there {Jazzy is not allowed on the furniture and honestly never breaks that rule, even when the cat is there}. I feel bad about it, but what else could we do? Ah well. maybe it's a more natural lifestyle{?} Some dogs just don't get along with cats. And some cats just can't get along with dogs. Sometimes you just have to take personality into account and make accomodations.
  • Training a basenji/aussie mix

    Behavioral Issues
    3
    0 Votes
    3 Posts
    4k Views
    S
    Hi! lauralopez said: Usually when dogs play too rough, one will let out a yelp and that will make the other one know that they are playing too hard. How true! My two Basenjis will wrestle and pull and push one another until one of them yelps. The offender will then back off or start licking the other one. Thirty minutes later they're at it again! So, in my opinion, this is not a Biggie. They'll soon find out how to play with one another. As for the training, I would suggest a group class. It's a great way to socialize the dogs. And you'll make some great friends! And you'll learn how to teach your dog by DOING. The Aussies I've met are great dogs. They're smart. But they have to to have a job. When you take a walk, have Angel carry a bottle of water for you and her in a small saddlebag. Clicker training is also a good way to teach. It worked miracles with my Chaco. Good Luck and let us know how the training goes. Basenjis CAN be good performance dogs. It just takes patience. Chaco has his CD and RN and is working on agility now. Senjimom aka Mary Wilson CH Moores Chock Full of Spirit CD RN, Cleopatra, Queen of the Universe, and MsPretty'nSable'nMink (My Brindle lady)