What are dogs afraid of?

• Thunder

Thunderstorm and thunder can scare anyone. Dogs are no exception. Many of them hide under beds, shake like an aspen leaf, howl and even snap at their owners.

What to do?

– Close windows to reduce noise levels.

– Distract the dog as much as possible with something pleasant: playing any constriction, fragrant treats, repeating favorite commands and tricks. Or maybe sit your pet on your lap and rewatch 101 Dalmatians?

If your dog panics and cannot be distracted, consult your veterinarian. He will recommend safe sedatives. Keep them in your first aid kit. Before the next whims of nature, give the remedy to the dog in advance.

• New Year

The most magical night of the year is the scariest for most dogs. Guests, fireworks, firecrackers, sparklers, loud music and voices, a huge amount of unfamiliar smells – all these are strong stressors. For suspicious dogs, the New Year turns into a real nightmare.

What to do?

Never take your dog for a walk on New Year’s Eve. A huge number of lost stories begin on this night. Dogs are frightened by firecrackers or other loud sounds, break off the leash and disappear in an unknown direction. Fear makes you run far, and after the festive champagne, the owners lose their vigilance and cannot react quickly. The consequences can be the saddest.

If you have a suspicious dog, plan for quieter holidays. Avoid noisy parties. The tranquility of family members is more important, and you can go to a restaurant for a party.

Don’t leave your dog all alone on New Year’s Eve. If you plan to leave, another family member must stay with the dog.

• People

Dogs can adore some people and be terrified of others. Men, women, or both – it can be difficult to track the pattern.

Dogs are often afraid of people with unusual body shapes. For example, a man with glasses, a massive hat, or with a huge backpack over his shoulders. You may have seen videos on the Internet of how dogs reacted to owners dressed as dragons or other fantastic creatures. They are literally in shock!

What to do?

Properly socialize. From childhood, introduce the dog to a variety of people.

In case of severe anxiety, consult a zoopsychologist. He will help solve the problem.

• Children

Toddlers, causing a wave of tenderness in us, can cause a wave of horror in our dogs. Perhaps the point is noisy toys, loud laughter or crying, which can replace each other every minute. But that’s nothing. But if the kid decides to pull the dog by the ear or tail – then a disaster.

What to do?

– Competently build a relationship “child-pet”.

– Do not leave the baby and the dog alone without supervision.

– Teach your child how to care for animals.

– Provide the dog with a safe place where he can always rest and where no one (even a baby) will disturb him.

• Travel by car

Many dogs are afraid to ride in a car. But don’t worry, this fear usually subsides with practice.

What to do?

– Train your dog for transportation. 

– Learn to ride in a carrier. 

– Take your dog’s favorite toys on the trip, for example, to fill with treats.

If the dog is very worried and if it is motion sick, contact a veterinarian. He will prescribe safe remedies for motion sickness and stress.

• Veterinarian

Not every adult manages to cope with the fear of dentists! So dogs rarely sympathize with doctors.

What to do?

Instill pleasant associations with going to the vet. Turn on your fantasy. The road to the doctor can be turned into a whole game. You can arrange in advance with the doctor to treat your pet with a treat, pat him behind the ear or give him a new toy.

Don’t forget to reward your pet for going to the vet with treats. Even if he wasn’t very brave!

• Stairs

Yes, yes, many dogs are afraid to go down, and sometimes even up stairs.

What to do?

Try to turn your path into a game. On the steps you can lay out toys or goodies.

Do not put pressure on the dog, act smoothly. If the pet refuses to go down or up, do not force him to do it by force, tightly pulling the leash. Use the elevator or, if the dog’s size allows it, carry it in your arms.

• Vacuums

“What is this thing with a strange outline? She makes noise all the time, rides on the floor and can steal my favorite ball! ”- perhaps your dog is thinking about something when you take the vacuum cleaner out of the closet again.

What to do?

– Never use a vacuum cleaner as a punishment. 

– Do not scare your pet with them on purpose.

Do not vacuum your dog by forcibly holding it. 

If the dog is afraid of the vacuum cleaner, while you clean one room, close it in another.

Try to leave the switched off vacuum cleaner in the dog’s field of vision more often. One day curiosity will take over. The dog will approach his “monster”, sniff him and quite possibly understand that he does not threaten him in any way.

• Loneliness

Perhaps this is the most popular fear of most dogs. Almost every pet longingly waits for the time when his beloved owner puts on a coat and goes to work.

What to do?

Make sure your dog has as much fun as possible. A variety of toys will help with this. The more of them a dog has, the easier it will endure loneliness. Puzzle toys for filling with goodies work great. Trying to get the treasured sweets, your pet will not even notice how family members return home.

Remember that the main thing is not the amount of joint time, but the quality. When you get home, put your business and gadgets aside. Make time for your dog. Chat with her, take a walk, play. Let her know that you need her and that you, too, miss her very much.

If your dog is very intolerant of being alone, consider a second dog or dog sitter.

• Separation from the owner

Add up all the fears we have already listed and multiply them by five. Something like this dog is afraid of a long separation from you.

Not a single dog, even in the worst nightmare, can imagine that its beloved owner will disappear somewhere for a long time. And we hope this fear never becomes real!

What to do?

If possible, do not leave the dog alone for a long time. Try to plan joint trips and trips. And if you can’t take the dog with you, leave it with another close person whom she loves.

Friends, what are your pets afraid of? How do you help them deal with their fears? Tell us about it in the comments!