Had a horrible walk with noise-phobic Breeze

Started out really well, she was enthusiastic and ignored a couple of bangs in the distance, was really proud of her until we were on the way back and some shots went off a little closer to us.
Cue tail between legs, panting, trotting ahead to get home faster and crying. Have never, ever heard Breeze cry when frightened on a walk, she was really shaken up and it was distressing enough for me watching her, let alone how she must've felt.

Have bought and used a sound CD, Equafleece tshirt and Skulcap and Valerian tablets with her, but it turns out that no-one has continued using them while I've been away at uni, apart from the tshirt We were definitely making progress with the CD but nobody even knows where it is!

Am hoping that not only will the Thundershirt work for Breeze but proves to be more user-friendly than the other remedies. Was horrified enough about the fact that they hadn't been walked for a WEEK when I got home this weekend thanks to my Dad and sister refusing to walk them when my Mother tore her calf muscle but we've gone back to square one again and I have a dog that is petrified of walks for fear of loud noises going off.

Fingers crossed that we'll make some progress with this, really don't know what to do if it doesn't work for her.

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Scooter and Breeze - Labrador Retrievers
Cosmo - White Fife Canary

I know some dog trainers will do a 'noise course' where they work in a quiet area with a dog and slowly introduce noises with treats to de-sensatize and teach to associate with good things

so start off with *clap* treat - do until no reaction/only reaction is looking for treat

then do *bang/stamp shoes* treat - and repeat

do so with every loud noise you can think of until Breeze is relaxed around them

to start with you need 2 people as have to do the noise 10ft or so away and slowly bring closer

hope that helps

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Thanks, will try this while I'm still at home

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Scooter and Breeze - Labrador Retrievers
Cosmo - White Fife Canary

I have a thundershirt and it has made a world of difference to Flynn and his anxiety when out and with fireworks. Hope it works for you too.

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Flynn - Kali - Britches - Bruce - T-Bo - Marty



"For the strength of the pack is the wolf, and the strength of the wolf is the pack"

The Thundershirt helps my Reuben too. He is frightened by fireworks and thunder. Good luck, I hope poor Breeze gets comfort from it.

Thanks guys, it's always good to read success stories Her tshirt seems to help a little but it's not nearly as snug-fitting as a Thundershirt.
Here's hoping...

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Scooter and Breeze - Labrador Retrievers
Cosmo - White Fife Canary