Poor Baby

[Judy, Meg & Polly Wolly Doodle]

Hubby is busting out a sidewalk we no longer want today and the sledgehammer is upsetting Polly.  I took her out to watch and she sat behind me all right but back in the house it bothers her.  If I pull her up on my lap and hold her there she does fine but the minute I take my hand off this is her "safe" place.  She finally settled in but she spent about an hour here.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Aw! Poor Polly. 

[Jennifer and Lily]

Poor girl!

[Emily, Bentley, & Maserati]

Aww! Poor baby! 

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Poor Polly.

[Ginny Nightingale]

No, no, no!! Your attitude is adding to the problem! No offense, but she is picking up signals from you that she should be afraid--it is in your voice and your demeanor--poor girl, it's ok baby...etc--be cheerful, be happy, celebrate the noise, play with her and jump around like something fun is happening! This is how dogs become more comfortable with things and if you give them sympathy and stroking, it  makes them scared--as if it is the correct thing to be afraid! 

Next time there is something scary, try a different approach, it might help! Good luck!

[Gail and Bailey]

Ginny....this reminds me of how I helped my grandson not be afraid of thunder and lightning when he was little.   We used to dance around and chant..."more thunder! more thunder! yea!!!"  We had a blast and he is 14 now and loves thunder storms!   It is so true that attitude is so important not only with dogs but humans as well!!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

This is something I learned from a trainer when I first adopted JD. He was terrified of everything outdoors, and on our walks, he would freeze up at the sight or sound of something strange and refuse to move. My reaction of course was to try to reassure him with pets and "It's okay" in a sympathetic voice. The trainer told me that my words, tone and demeanor were actually confirming that there was indeed something to be afraid of. Instead, she told me to say "Good Boy!" in a very confident upbeat tone of voice and to keep moving. And it worked! 

I've since learned that laughing also works. When he hears me laughing, he immediately relaxes, and will often even wag his tail. It's like he knows that nothing can be that bad if I'm so happy. :)

[jenn D]

I completely agree with Karen. Good advice!

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

I agree with Ginny, a more confident " I got it" approach possibly. Letting her know you aren't worried about it or her. It's just noise. What would Doggie Dan do? Lol