We had fireworks in our area New Year's Eve and a few parties and Bella got really scared by it all. I set up her bed in a dark, warm place and she took solice there for most of the night and morning.
New Year's Day we went for a walk near a train track, Bella is scared of trains but the trains weren't supposed tro be running that day. Surprise! One turned up while we were there and she got majorly spooked and would've bolted if I hadn't managed to grab her.
Now she won't go in the direction of the train track and every bump, tap, voice, door shutting, car outside, unusual noise on the TV etc sets her off, she shakes, paces and can't settle. She wouldn't eat her breakfast yesterday because she had shut down with fear after hearing a door slam
Is there anything I can do? Am I doing the right thing ignoring her and letting her get on with it?
It makes me so sad to see her like this

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I strive to be the person my dogs think I am...

Poor girl You could try a DAP plug in, we use it round bonfire night & new year for these two & they are alot more chilled

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You could ignore the behaviour so that you're showing the noises aren't a big deal, but since it's so serious I'd be tempted to put some training into it.


I know it's tough to get the timing right but you ned to associate a treat and good things with loud noises. Keep treats in your pocket and everytime a loud noise disturbs Bella, immediately give her a treat. If it's not immediate then try again another time.

But in theory - loud noise + immediate treat should eventually be linked so that Bella thinks loud noises are ok cause she gets a treat or a quick happy tickle (not a sympathetic rub...).

This is what I did on bonfire night with my (then) 5 month old puppy and now he's not bothered by anything like that. I stayed by his side and every time a firework went off he immediately got a bit of chicken and now he's not bothered in the slightest.

Personally I'd ring the lady at Doreen Paige and explain the situation with Bella to her.
Their 'cures' work really well for nerves and I know they do one for 'fear of known things'.
Have a look at their website and you'll find their telephone number.

I would try the DAP products and also some natural calmatives as the OPs have said. You can also try the distraction with treats,but if she is that fearful at the moment dont be surprised if she wont take them. A seriously fearful dog wont (Ive had one like that who when hes stress levels rose too high wouldnt take them).

You could try a CD theres several but one I think is called sounds scary. You play it starting at barely audible level and if and when the dog copes then gradully you increase the volume very very slightly at a time to desensitise them. Over a period of time at the dogs pace.

Do you drive and is she ok in the car. You could begin by taking her to quiet areas that she can cope with to make going out more fun and relaxed again, then very slowly add something more challenging every day or two for very small bursts of time, and see if you can rebuild the confidence that way. Again anything you do would have to be at the dogs pace, making sure before you add something else she has coped for a few days with what shes been doing beforehand. The most important thing is you dont fuss or soothe her when she shows fear as this will reward the behaviour and re-inforce it.
You also need to remain completely calm and totally unconcerned, like everythings normal and no big deal at all times, any worry or tension you show will be picked up and re-inforce the fear too.

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Thanks everyone. I have tried associating the noises with treats/positive things but she gets in such a state she shuts down, plus she hears them ages before I do (I am partially deaf in one ear). She is so stressed she won't even take her ball (she worships balls and almost drowned trying to save one once )

I will try DAP products, it is worth a try. She isn't even two yet and I don't want her suffering like this her whole life

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I strive to be the person my dogs think I am...