Hi. I have a dog which I got at the local rescue home. He is about 6 years old and is a cross collie/ flat coat retriever. He is a lovely friendly dog and very playful. He was brought in to the home as a stray so I don't know his background. The only problem I have with him is that he is frightened of loud bangs. As I live in an agricultural district this means that there are a lot of gas guns (bird scarers) and shooters out shooting pigeons or crows. Poor Sparky is sometimes frightened to go out! My husband and I have tried not reacting to the noises, distracting him by throwing sticks- which works for a short time at home but not when we take him for a walk-but nothing seems to be working.He used to be the same with jets flying overhead and the distraction tactics and plenty of praise worked with that and he is fine now.Anyone any ideas how to get him over this?

'Crash, Bang, Thud, Wallop' is a CD that you can purchase from Pets at Home or off the internet.  You can try playing it all the time in the home, at '1' on the stereo, so that you don't even hear it yourself and feed your dog and do other pleasureable things whilst it is on, thereby aiming to de-sensitise him.  Slowly, VERY slowly, you should be able to increase the volume until it comes to the same level as the local distractions you encounter.  This won't be a solution over a few days or weeks, so be patient!  FCRs can be very sensitive, I believe.

Thanks very much Jan. Will try the CD.

Just to add perhaps you could re-place stick throwing with ball throwing, sticks can cause horrendous injuries........

My 18 month old bitch is the same.She will run a mile when the dustbin men do their rounds and she hates the sound of the oil delivery truck too.If she hears a loud plane she runs for the door.She seems to be scared of anyone and anything though she has been socialised well.The only time she has any courage is when shes hiding behind her older brother Guiness :D

Just bought him one of these balls on a rope which he loves fetching, so have switched to that!

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