Cooper spooked on a visit

[Linda Yingling]

Cooper is new to therapy dog visits. Today when we were finish at the Cancer Center and in the lobby a man approach Cooper to pet him. He had a tracheotomy and made a low growl noise when he breathed. Cooper was spooked and starting barking and going backwards. The man knelt down and Cooper was hesitant but tried then he Took a breath, Cooper got spooked. Any advise on preparing Cooper for this type of noise?

Read more here: http://www.doodlekisses.com/groups/group/show?groupUrl=therapy#ixzz...

[BG and Gavin]

I have been mulling your question over since yesterday.  This is a tough thing to teach because as you likely know, dogs do not generalize all that well and it is unlikely you will be able to set up this exact situation again. I have been trying to think of other noises to expose him to.  All that I can come up with is the hairdryer, vacuum cleaner, shop vac.  How does Cooper react to those noises? 

[Linda Yingling]

He is fine with a hair dryer, not fond of the vacuum. If he is in his room or another he is fine. He is two years old and has gotten over the blender & food processor. I think the best thing to do is to excuse myself and remove us from the stressor. I have also been trying to find a close sound to play over my phone around him. The man also never spoke and kept approaching. I just felt so bad for him as he really wanted to pet Cooper. Thank you for your reply

[BG and Gavin]

Yes I can see your point. It does not serve either Cooper or the client to have Cooper behaving with discomfort in this situation. Two is still pretty young. I would continue to ramp up different noise exposures.

[Linda Yingling]

Thank you, I feel a little better. Just very awkward and disturbing.

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

I'm thinking that you could do an on-line search for videos of people speaking with a Trach and possibly get close to the same noise for him.  You might also do the ones for BiPap.  We encountered this once with Sophie at the hospital.  She was initially thrown off, but then she wanted to just climb up in the ladies face to check it out.  Fortunately the family took it all in a positive manner and they were convinced that Sophie knew that she was dying and that she was a dog lover and that she was comforting her.  I'm thinking she is just being curious but in the end they were very much comforted by her actions.

You could also carry some very high value treats in your pocket used only for these very instances.  If you are working a cancer center it is highly possible you will encounter it again.  AnnaBelle is in a little fear phase and my Brother never helps it because he messes with her.  She is afraid of him.  The other day he came over and I asked him if he would calmly just coax her to him with some cheese.  He is now her best friend.  Every time he comes over she is sniffing his pockets for cheese.  

[Linda Yingling]

Thank you so much for your help. I searched breathing through a teach but not speech. He has been around another tach but it was clear so no growling sound. He was fine.

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

This is a difficult one for sure.  I was just thinking that one day in play I tried making a growling noise with FInn.  He talks to me in little growls sometimes. It startled him to hear it coming form me but I quickly gave him a hug and laughed.    Maybe you or someone in your family could try making noises around him and then rewarding him.  That's about all I can think of.  I'm thinking it's not so much the sound as that it's coming from a person.

[Linda Yingling]

Thank you for your suggestion!!