Hello,

Got a bit of a problem and I'm looking for some advice.

Sassy is terrified of loud bangs which this time of year is a big problem what with the shooting season, bird scarers etc. If she hears any bangs when she's out, the ears go back, tail tucks right under and she starts shaking like a leaf. Plus, unsurprisingly, she starts pulling like a train on her lead trying to get away from wherever she is.

Unfortunately, a shoot started up nearby to where we were walking and the trouble now is that Saasy hates going to the park and lanes where we nornally take her.

I don't know what's for the best. Do we avoid the place that she's now associated with the noise? Trouble is, she gets spooked wherever she hears a loud noise. Or do you press on and hope that she eventually gets over it?

We got Sassy as a rescue aged 2. She's 4 now and has always been like this. I can't tell you much about her history although little things tell me she wasn't well treated - when you roll up a paper to swot a fly she'll hide up and start shaking like a leaf. It beaks you heart to see it.

But it's the bangs which are the main problem. She nornally loves her walks but at the moment it's a pretty wretched experience for everyone.

Any advice would be very welcome.

Hi,

 We have the same problem. Hunting season begun. And it's going to keep on until March and where I live you can hear it everywhere. (Otherwise he is not scared of things or loud noises in the house or on the street,just shots outside.)

  I tried today not going back (well I have to till the door, because otherwise he just get out of the harness and goes back himself), that is not opening the door plus treats if he left the door and came a couple of meters, but that's all we got up to. Ate the treat then went back. We went back to the door dozens of times then left it couple of meters back again. We played this until he went back didnt budge from the door but started barking/howling and didnt stop till finally we went in. Not to mention people coming to ask if everythings ok because they saw us acting weird on the street.We didnt have a normal walk since 1 week now.   Meanwhile he is bored and has lots of energy which in the past was burned through long walks.

 Any suggestion is much appreaciated. I dont want to be housebound for 4 months and then another 4 months next year. 

Thanks for your advice.

We have already tried some of the things you suggest, especially the one about keeping completely calm - not always easy when she's trying to strangle herself with the lead...

One of the things I most want to be able to do is snap her out of the 'zone' she gets into - or when she's 'immune' as you say. Not easy - I reckon we could offer her prime fillet steak at this point and she'd ignore it.

I did manage to get her out yesterday to a different place and all was fine apart from a few distant rumbles. She was on the verge of getting into a state so I decided to play a game with her - which worked. She seemed to forget about the noise and carried on as normal. I'm sure I read somewhere about turning a negative experience into a positive one. As you say though, I don't want to inadvertently be praising the wrong behaviour - I guess it's all in the timing.

Thanks again and if I do manage to get any real breakthroughs I'll let you know.