potter
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Oct 25, 2007, 3:55 PM
Post #18 of 21
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Re: [zephyros] Fear of Thunder and other Startling Noises ~HELP
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You didn't state what you were asking to be permanent/temporary. If you are refering to D.A.P, it needs to be used continuously because only when you use it, it releases canine appeasing pheromones and that pheromones help to calm dogs down so once you don't use it, no pheromones are being released hence nothing to provide a sense of well-being and reassurance which is what pheromones does. It could be viewed as a permanent solution only that you have to continue using it. If you are lazy to train your dog or what we call desensitization training, this could be the best method for a permanent solution or D.A.P. could be used together with the desensitization training to help your dog. If an owner do not want to continuously buy D.A.P., you can desensitize your dog. It takes time and patience to train which differs from dog to dog and you have to have the thunder tape recording and play it starting from real low volume. While playing the thunder sound, get your dog to do sit, down, come (of course provide treats each time). When a dog is busy doing things and being rewarded by treats, they are likely to not focus on the soft thunder sound playing behind. Slowly, turn up the sound a little more and do the same exercise (sit, down, come, etc). Repeat the exercise by turning the sound louder. If it gets too loud to a point, turn it back down a little and when he seems okay, tune up a little again. This might take days, weeks but eventually, this is a permanent solution. It is too cruel to force your dog to deal with it outside on its own. Try to do this at home gradually with some understanding and help from the owner. If your dog seems too be scared, the last thing you want to do is patting/reassuring him coz you are rewarding its behaviour of being scared to the thunder. Good luck with whichever way you choose. potter www.dogster.com/pet_page.php?j=t&i=410379
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