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After some idiot put a fire cracker off a mere 20 feet away from my dog, she has been terrified of loud noises. She used to be fine; on the 4th of July, she'd be a little nervous, but not in a total panic. Now she so much as hears a pop, and she FREAKS. She doesn't even want to go on walks anymore. After she freaked out today because a few people were putting of fire crackers (and I gave them a piece of my mind...thankfully they were kind enough to stop), I realized I really do need to desensitize her. This is really putting a damper on things for her. She's been very nervous lately.
Besides that, I need to desensitize her to an airhorn. Long story short, people love to allow their horribly behaved, rude, nosy, bossy dogs to run loose. I am sick of yelling at owners with deaf ears, and having to remember every time I go for a walk where each loose dog lives and how I should react. There are 1 of 2 dogs I know would attack my dogs and/or me. Pepper spray has not worked; the time I tried to spray a hound, the spray simply dribbled down my hand. I've considered bear spray but am considered about the legality and the fact that it can cause blindess. So, no bear spray. I've also ruled out citronella spray because I doubt it would work on these dogs. The airhorn is my last option and hopefully it will work. However, I do not want my dogs freaking out and getting in a fight as a result, or the leash slipping out of my hand and them running away, because I blow the airhorn.
HOW do I desensitize her to these things? She gets so scared her eyes become blood shot and she starts crying. She usually won't accept treats and if she does, it's very quick and with a quick lick.
ALSO: I will not be home this 4th of July. Any reccomendations on good, soothing essential oils are very welcome. I think the best I'll be able to do is give my family instructions to bring her out ONLY early morning/afternoon and then give her essential oils and crate her throughout the rest of the day. I don't want her having a panic attack, running around, or worse, somehow slipping out and getting lost or hit by a car.
Besides that, I need to desensitize her to an airhorn. Long story short, people love to allow their horribly behaved, rude, nosy, bossy dogs to run loose. I am sick of yelling at owners with deaf ears, and having to remember every time I go for a walk where each loose dog lives and how I should react. There are 1 of 2 dogs I know would attack my dogs and/or me. Pepper spray has not worked; the time I tried to spray a hound, the spray simply dribbled down my hand. I've considered bear spray but am considered about the legality and the fact that it can cause blindess. So, no bear spray. I've also ruled out citronella spray because I doubt it would work on these dogs. The airhorn is my last option and hopefully it will work. However, I do not want my dogs freaking out and getting in a fight as a result, or the leash slipping out of my hand and them running away, because I blow the airhorn.
HOW do I desensitize her to these things? She gets so scared her eyes become blood shot and she starts crying. She usually won't accept treats and if she does, it's very quick and with a quick lick.
ALSO: I will not be home this 4th of July. Any reccomendations on good, soothing essential oils are very welcome. I think the best I'll be able to do is give my family instructions to bring her out ONLY early morning/afternoon and then give her essential oils and crate her throughout the rest of the day. I don't want her having a panic attack, running around, or worse, somehow slipping out and getting lost or hit by a car.