Helping dogs who are fearful is one of my specialities (I’ve had plenty of practice!). Fear often leads to dogs barking, lunging at or shying away from the things they are scared of – but we can help with our online Reactive Rover masterclass!
I thought a new water bowl would be a treat for my dog…
I bought Gus a new stand for his water bowl. He’s starting to get older now – he’ll be 9 in one month’s time – and he is struggling a bit with his hips. He is also starting to slow down a bit – though you’d never know it when Himself dares to go out and leave Gus behind…
Anyway, the new stand arrived yesterday. The instructions to assemble it were simple and I had it up and ready within five minutes. It came with two new stainless steel bowls, so I washed those and they dried while I did my handy(wo)man stuff with the Phillips screwdriver.
I set the stand in position where the old water bowl had lived and added the filled new water bowls. Gus had retreated across the room while I was fiddling around and eyed the new contraption with a great deal of suspicion. I encouraged him to approach but he just gave me A Look and wandered off.
…but it made him very nervous instead
Never mind, I thought, when he’s thirsty he’ll be fine.
No. Instead we had a charade with him pawing at the side of the stand and me standing there taking rubbish to him, “Come on Gus-Gus, you can get closer. Look there’s lovely yummy water here, just for you. Come and have a tiny sip for mummy, there’s a good boy…”
Nothing doing.
I wet my finger and offered it to him. He licked it. “There, “I said, now come and drink properly. No. He approached the side but would not move round to get to the bowls.
I tried tough love, waiting him out. He spent the evening asking to go out, checking the outside water bowl (empty) and coming back in, walking in an arc around the new stand which was clearly there to kill him. I repeated my pleas and finger licking once or twice but with no success. Just once he came a little closer, stretched out his neck and had one slurp. I hoped that would help him turn the corner.
But no.
This morning, Himself gave in, took the water bowl off the stand and held it while Gus drank. All of it. Then asked for more.
Understanding that your dog may not like new things in their life
Most normal dogs will come and explore something new and very quickly accept it and get used to it. We’ve always said Gus is not entirely normal. I suspect this nonsense will continue for some time…
Gus is a fearful dog. We’ve overcome most things but then something new comes along and we are back to square one.
Our Reactive Rover masterclass has many solutions for you
Helping dogs who are fearful is one of my specialities (I’ve had plenty of practice!). Fear often leads to dogs barking, lunging at or shying away from the things they are scared of. If this is your dog, please come along to our online Reactive Rover bootcamp which starts this Wednesday (23rd June). You’ll find all the details and booking here.
Keep training and stay safe,
Carol
PS Our Reactive Rover Bootcamp gives you everything you need to help your dog learn that the world is not such a bad place after all – and ways to help yourself cope better too. This four-week, twelve session intensive course also includes WhatsApp support through a private group and direct access to my help and support.
