Scared in the dark, advice welcomed

[ROXY]

Before Christmas we used to walk every morning in the dark and sometimes Roxy was a bit wary of things but seemed very confident at the same time. Having lost my job over Christmas I had been getting up slightly later and having our morning walk when its a bit lighter. Just started a new job so now its back out in the dark in the morning and today Roxy was very scared of alot of things.

On an old railway line where dog walkers always go an so do we, this morning there was a couple of people heading towards us who had torches and she was terrified, torches never bothered her before, she was trying very hard to run away and whimpering at the same time, very low to ground and tugging on the lead with everything she had. After this her confidence seemed very low and when we was walking along the usual route on the pavement she would run behind me and make herself small when a bus approached us or a large lorry then continued walking.

Some people say just continue walking and the dog will learn there is nothing to be scared of, others say let the dog go to where it feels safe then continue when whatever has scared the dog has gone, and others say get the dog to do something, like sit and reward when you see a bus/lorry coming so the dog associates this with something good.

Was wondering if anyone could advise me exactly how I should react when she is like this to help her confidence grow.


Matt

[jesterjenn]

I don't know the best approach as I'm not a trainer, but if it was my dog, I would begin by getting them to sit when the scarey thing is approaching, but with you both kind of side on to it, so she's able to see what's coming with it approaching from behind, but she can also "watch" you (have you taught the watch command?), and treat and praise when she doesn't react. I would probably, once she is comfortable doing this, try and get her to walk past it without reacting. I would start at a fair distance away though, and gradually get closer and close (the timescale in which this can be achieved, should be graded by your dog IMO).

Have you tried playing a game with her when she's scared? Or having someone with you and you and the person you're with have the greatest, most exciting game in the world, so she gets curious what you guys are doing?

Could you organise someone you know to walk towards you in the dark with a torch and drop some really tasty, high value, stinky treats for her to get once she's calmed?

[Stuart]

I think you should act confident and un worried, if she wants to retreat behind you then let her, you just keep walking on,..talk to her softly, dont put her where she is not ready to go, let her see that you are not worried by the things you meet,..and I would guess that because things didnt worry her before,..that things will soon return to the way they were

personaly I would think that stopping is reacting to what is approaching, and I cant see a dog who is scared wanting to react in that way waiting on a treat.

.... but I am no trainer either... so I may be wrong.
Its and interesting question, and I wonder what has happened in her mind between your jobs

[ROXY]

It seemed to help once before to wait at a bus stop so the bus approached us slowly and another time we took a ride on a bus which seemed to help. I guess it was just a bit of a shock this morning for me as I didnt expect her to be like this.

One time along the harbour she went crazy at an old World War mine that has been converted into a rather large charity pot and would bark and bark at it, till I encouraged her to come closer with treats till she was right next to it then she got plenty of praise.

This morning I dont know how I reacted, I remember telling her gently it was ok and tried to get her to follow me but she really didnt want to, I didnt expect it so probably did not deal with the situation correctly.

Its hard to get people to come out that time of day with me, half 5 is too early for some but will go out tomorrow morning with some high value treats. Always try my best to be confident and I believe in just carrying on walking so she sees me as the leader and learns from me, but want to do whats best for her.

Thanks for your thoughts.

[Stuart]

It has only been a couple of months since she was walking the dark first time around, and it will only be a short while that she has to endure it again, as the mornings start to get lighter, she will become better and better, so I dont think it is a long term problem.

[ROXY]

I totally agree, Im not overly concerned, its just knowing what to do thats best for her. I am looking forward to the lighter mornings though!

[ianock]

I agree with Stuart and to add you could try humming a song or whistling as well, helps when our Sasha get a bit freaked (happened recently with a fellow dog owner with a torch) at night.

[LOVEGSD]

The key is to remain clam yourself and make like nothing is a big deal....if you can see something scary approaching try and get her to focus on you.

[Jon]

As other others have said... just carry on calmly walking and if possible walk with another older calmer dog... dogs feed off each others behaviours alot if that makes sense.