Hi there
My dog is  a 1yr 6 month old jack russell bitch called Jude , everything was fine til she turned a year old then  everything seems to scare her from  ice cream vans to shadows  even when I bring out the ironing board she runs and hides I  tried sitting her down and waiting til she calmed down a bit I stopped saying that she was a good girl as I was told that gave her praise for being scared .I dont want to have to end up taking Jude to a dog behavioural psychologist
I use rescue remedy  in her water which someone had suggested to me which sort of helped but not completely. I did post my problems  under a different name. My mum has Jude's sister from the same litter and she has no problems wotsoever . So  any help or remedies  would be appreciated

Many dogs do go through a secondary fear period at any time between 8-24 months. Things that they previously had accepted and shown no fear of suddenly become scary monsters. Generally this phase does not last very long. Do not reassure your dog or fuss her when she shows nervousness as this will just reinforce her suspicion that there is, in fact, something to be frightened of. Talk to her in a cheerful up-beat manner but do not force her to confront whatever it is that worries her. In all probability this will be a short-lived problem.

Hi shadowboxer
I used to re assure her but now have stopped that I try to be firm and tell her there is nothing to be afraid off I have tried making her sit  till she calms down  but to no avail. What I have done  and this is not in no way  a solution  but I have walked with her passed many off the lorries and vans  and such like to try and get  her used to them and see that they will not harm her whilst I am with her I do not however deliberatley go in search of such vehicles but when I am out walking with her we have to in order to continue with our walks  pass such things. I do  hope that this is a short term thing as I would not like this to continue to be a problem through out her life. Jude is a very friendly little dog who loves everybody and a very good little watchdog and I would not change her for the world  it is just this scardycat thing that concerns me 

What does making her sit do? I think, if anything, it puts her into a more submissive posture than she would like to be in if she's afraid of something....a more vulnerable position. It gives her time to focus even more on the scary thing rather than diluting it by distracting her.

I would just do as was mentioned....talk in a cheerful, upbeat, matter of fact way....like nothing is wrong and go about your business, not making anything out of it. When she comes along or gets distracted, then give her a pat and "good dog." That's what I'd do anyhow. With exposure, but not overwhelming exposure, she should get over most of this. Good luck.

Carrie

Hi Fortuna,

Fear reactions to normal household articles or everyday occurrences in life can suddenly surface in any pubescent canine, regardless of breed or gender.
Re ironing board for example - leave it out (don't be too tidy!) somewhere she can see it BUT doesn't have to be up close and personal.  Ditto vacuum cleaner, pedal bin, hairdryer, step ladders (can't you just tell been there done that got the teeshirt???) - anything basically that is part of your normal household routine and furnishings.
Habituation with the dog viewing the object and your ignoring any fear response and/or talking up-beat or even laughing (literally!!!) when she behaves oddly will eventually overcome this particular nervy behaviour.  Believe me this works over a few short weeks or les - the trick is for you not to over react and for the object(s) to always be around and soon your dog will fail to notice they exist ;o)

As to Rescue Remedy - this is most effective when applied directly to the nose leather - your dog would have to drink an awful lot of "spiked" water ;-) to feel any benefit by that method <lol>

Teri

hi teri
thanks for the advice  I did leave the ironing board out at one time for about 2 weeks  moving it now and again to a different place. Today when I had Jude out we were walking passed a shop that is getting renovated and there was some drilling going on  and she nearly went into orbit then on the way home as I always do I let her off the leash  and there was a van sitting at the kerbside  the driver came round to close the van up got in his cab and started the engine Jude (being off the lead) about turned and high tailed it back the way we came Jude wouldn't stop  even  when I called her til she thought better of crossing the road. I dont want to always have to have her walking on the lead  as I like to walk up the canal with her and let her run I have tried to ignore her hyperness but it seems to  be getting worse day by day  and I really dont want to stress her out to much either or to take her to a dog behaviourist  not yet anyway as I know they can be very expensive I would like to try and cure her myself.

Hi again Fortuna,  You could perhaps try a desensitizing CD/tape - I think you can buy these from large retail pet outlets but if not perhaps you'll find a source on the www.  These contain noises such as thunder, gun shot, hammering etc (you could have one custom made I guess) and should be played on low volume while your dog is doing something she enjoys - such as eating or playing with you.  Gradually increasing volume over a period until she can cope with noise and is basically ignoring it because she's enjoying whichever main activity you've arranged.  Behaviourists often include this type of CD in the regime for noise sensitive dogs.  Don't try to rush this process - the best things come to those who wait ;-)

Obviously she has more worries going on right now than just noise.  Can you remember if anything significantly worrying (apart from obvious hormones) occurred at around 1 year?

Distracting a dog in full flight mode with treats/toys/voice is no easy task :-(  Unfortunately if she's truly terrified she'll shut everything out but the need to flee.  Please, don't have her off lead near ANY roadside - even if she's used to it.

Good luck,  Teri  

Hi Teri
Nope nothing out the ordinary happened to her just one day  she went bezerk at the rubbish truck  and  from then on everything else . OHH  no  I never have her off the lead on the main roads  she only off  when I  know she  is  safe  couldnt let anything happen  to her  she is the reason I exercise more  Will try the  tape that you said  sounds maybe just wot I need  lol
thank u again Teri