Path: utzoo!censor!geac!torsqnt!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!yale!bunker!wtm
From: kathyj@pase70.Convergent.Com (Kathy Johnson)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Re: Wimp-dog
Message-ID: <16346@bunker.UUCP>
Date: 10 Dec 90 03:47:53 GMT
References: <16147@bunker.UUCP>
Sender: wtm@bunker.UUCP
Reply-To: kathyj@pase70.Convergent.Com (Kathy Johnson)
Distribution: misc
Organization: Unisys Network Computing Group (CT), San Jose, CA
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Approved: wtm@bunker.UUCP
Fidonet: Blink Talk Conference

Index Number: 12427

In article <16147@bunker.UUCP> William.Wilson@f89.n129.z1.fidonet.org writes:
|Index Number: 12231
|
|
| CC> Recently, though, I have noticed a growing problem.  He is 
| CC> _terribly_ afraid of sharp 'cracking' noises-- fireworks, 
| CC> circus-animal tamer-type bull whips (in a circus setting! 
| CC> sheesh! Get yer minds back outa that gutter!), gunshots, etc.  
| CC> He used to just sort of quiver when he heard such sharp cracks, 
| CC> but he has taken to violently shaking and trying to hide or run 
| CC> away from them.
|
|Carla,
|    I know someone who had a similar problem to this with their guide
|dog, and this is basically the advice she got from Seeing Eye...
|    Since this is a fear response, it wouldn't be wise to punish it as
|it is occuring.  Likewise, it would only reinforce the behavior if you
|praised chance when he reacted this way to the noise.  Therefore, about
|the only thing you can do is calm him when it occurs as quickly as
|possible and praise him when he is totally at peace again.
| 
|
I don't know where you could get more information, but a few years ago 
I heard about how hunters desensitize their dogs to gunshots.  If you 
contacted your local shooting range, they might be able to put you 
in contact with somebody who could tell you what methods they use 
to desensitize dogs to the normal hunting sounds.  Good Luck!

--------------------------------------------------------------------
Kathy M. Johnson			Unisys has, takes, or claims 
Unisys, San Jose			absolutely no responsibility
					for this posting.