Hello, this is my first ever post here so please be gentle with me!
Just over two weeks ago we took responsibility for a rescued greyhound form the Lincolnshire Greyhound Trust. His name is Basil and he will be four next month. The name his breeder gave him was Oghill Mark and looking him up on the 'net showed he'd never raced. He came to the trust via the council authorities in Lincoln where he was found as a stray.
He has the typical Greyhound nature, i.e. gentle and placid, friendly with all and good with our children, who are six and nine. He is also a cheeky beggar who pinches all sorts of things and carries them back to his bed!
Our only problem is that he had developed an almost phobic fear of going for a walk. He was fine the first week, then a week ago last Sunday was startled by a shotgun firing in a field near where he was being walked. It wasn't close-close but near enough to be a sharp bark, at which he became quite agitated. The next night on his walk an automatic bird-scaring gun went off a good distance off, loud enough to produce an audible boom. This had him pulling and leaping to run and took my wife a good hold on the lead to keep in one place. Since then he degenrated to a point where he started soiling in the house, something which apart from the first two days he didn't do at all.
We've managed to get him to go outside again and have been in touch with the trust's behaviourist who is coming to see us next Wednesday. We are sure we will be able to get him over this, I was just wondering whether anyone else had experienced anything like this and what sort of remedial measures worked/didn't work?
My wife and I have been beating ourselves up about this, thining we've done somethign wrong, and I've even lost sleep, but we are committed to helping him as he is already a firm favourite with our children, and us.

I would wait and see what the behaviourist suggest, but a couple of things to keep in mind is the use of dap plug in diffuser which can help calm some dogs. Often used for dogs who are fightened of fireworks and also zelkene capules same sort of reason for use. Also have you tried rescue remedie a few drops on his paws (the pads) or in his mouth or in his water will do no harm and my help
Others will be able to give you training ideas
I am sure

hello browser,and welcome.i don't claim to be any kind of expert but i would think that knowing what first upset basil is a big help in getting him settled again.those loud bangs have really freaked him out.he may be confused about who's in charge and not know how to get you away from what he thinks is danger.as you live in an area where this is liable to happen at any time you need to be firm in leading him on and finishing his walk,he'll pretty soon realise that you are in charge of things and he doesn't have to worry about protecting you.his life has changed so much in a short time and he's still unsure and nervous.time and patience will make for a very happy basil not to mention all of you.x

I think that we can establish here he is very unsettled by guns and banging noises, firework night is going to be especially hard for him. (Many dogs on the site have problems like this so make sure on firework night especially that you pick up all the tips others have for you - you will not be alone :-) ) As he came to the trust as a rescue it is hard to know what has caused this fear, at 4 years old his fears are in place, it may be difficult to change his mindset, early socialising is very important to prevent things like this, which of course you have not been able to do.

However, there is a shining light, if he is afraid due to the fact he has just never been exposed to noises like this and had his early life in a kennel with no exposure to anything then he can be desensitized just as a new pup, he would need to be slowly introduced to all of lifes noises with lots of praise and a very calm voice to sew the seed that there is nothing to be afraid of, it will take months to do this but it has every chance of being successful.

However, if his fear is due to a bad experience the same routine may eventually still work depending on how deeply routed his fear is, but there is also the chance that his fear is too great to get over.  All you can do is try your very best to keep him calm and make home and garden a safe place.

When I have new pups and shotguns or loud noises are going off, I always sit in the garden humming/singing and showing absolutely no response, soon enough the pups get the message and toddle over to me to continue play, and before long are pretty bombproof to any noises if I am not afraid or worried then they need not be, this is the kind of message you need to get across to Basil, don't be worried for him or stressed a dog can pick up on your emotions and heartbeat, you need to stay very calm and aloof even if he is panicking, particularly in your home surroundings, so that he will not be afraid to go in your own garden when afraid or aggitated.

I'm sure the trust behaviourist will be a great help, but it won't be a quick fix, just stay patient and you'll either work around the problem or completely cure him of it. :-)

Hi Browser

I agree with Carrington - this is unlikely to be a quick fix scenario but with help and patience should be possible to manage and possibly overcome :)

In the meantime I'd pop Basil in the car and drive somewhere less likely to have such noises when taking him for exercise so that he doesn't make the association of walks = fear.

Don't leave him unattended in the garden for example when there's a chance of shot gun noises or similar occurring.  If it happens when you're with him try not to fuss him but be positive and encouraging towards distracting him and keep an up-beat tone in your voice etc.  The idea is to assure him through your own behaviour and body language that there's no need to be afraid :)

HTH and good luck with him - he sounds a sweetheart.
Best wishes, Teri

Some great advice already. I would just like to add that Basil is probably overwhelmed by what is going on and you will find that he will relax more further down the line when he is more settled into your home, is being loved and has built up a bond with everyone. Obviously you still need to address the issue of going for walks but at the moment he is going through a huge transition period that will take some time for him to settle down and re adjust to his life and surroundings.
Good luck with him :-)

Welcome to CD Browser!
You've already had great advice,I'm sure you'll get Basil (I love the name, by the way) over this, in time.
I just want to add, having a very sign-sensitive breed myself, don't look at Basil if/when a loud noise occurs again. If a shotgun goes off, or another loud noise occurs, make sure you don't look at Basil to see how he reacts. This is a common mistake people do, my breed will often interpret this as "-oh dear, mum/dad doesn't know what this is either, and is looking to me for support". Which will make the dog even more insecure. As suggested by the others, make sure not to fuss or get worried, and don't look at the dog. And IF you're out walking and Basil gets frightened, don't turn round and head off home. Keep on going as you were. Otherwise you'll confirm that shots are dangerous, best to get home to safety. No turning the other way, and no increased speed to get away either.
Good luck,
Karen