The Unruly Dog; Boisterous and hard to manage

The dictionary definition of ‘phobia’ is an abnormal and intense irrational fear of an object, situation or organism. One can explain to a human the irrationality of what they fear and of course, listen to their reasoning. This intellectual exchange can obviously not take place with a dog or cat, but communication on another level is essential. Solving the problems for animals which have developed phobias are among the most difficult cases presented to a behaviour practitioner. The critical factor in helping animals overcome their phobia is in creating a situation or environment whereby their desire to obtain a reward or pleasure is greater than the fear they may simultaneously experience. No more, no less.

A dog can sometimes inherit a predisposition to fearfulness. However, in our experience most phobias are caused by a traumatic experience, some of which might not have even been noticed by the owner who, for example, may have casually turned on a food mixer or shaken a plastic bin bag - the dog exhibits fear and leaves the room - the owner unaware that this may be the beginning of a phobia developing. Others may come here as emergencies as a result of fireworks, thunder, aircraft noise, shopping trolleys and prams, everyday household appliances or simply a black plastic bag bowling down the street. Any of these and other stimuli can trigger a flight or fight response in pet dogs. Other bizarre phobias we have dealty with at the centre are a fear of stationary cars only, fear of birds flying and one Terrier that was absolutely manic when house flies entered the home. Strangely enough it was never frightened of larger blue bottle flies.