At a loss...and need advise

[Dudley from Paris]

Dudley is one year old and is afraid to go outside. He shakes when he knows we're going out for a walk and is afraid of people and anything with wheels. I've tried giving him treats to entice him to go out but he's so nervous he won't eat them.

I can't think of any bad expereince he had to cause this. My vet put him on Prozac a week ago and there is no change in his behavior.

Before moving to Paris we previously lived in New York City and he was not affraid there.

Does anyone have suggestions and/or know of a trainer who could possibly help me via email???

Many thanks

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[Krista]

First of all, Welcome to the board!! I have never been to Paris, but dream of visiting someday. I don't really have much advice, I'm sure some others will post with more. Also, there is a site owned by a frenchman in Francaise sort of like this that might be able to point you to a trainer. I think it is http://www.monteckel.com

My only suggestion is to slowly desensitize him. Maybe tape record street sounds and play them inside softly at first and gradually getting louder as he progresses. When he is calm give him treats.

I have heard that trying to comfort them by sort of babying them, makes it worse, because then they think they have reason to be afraid. Don't know if that is true or not.

Good luck!!
We'd love to hear more about your dachshund!!

[Mark]

Hmmm, that's a tough one. One I've never experienced although Dudley is definitely experiencing news sounds, sights and probably smells!

I don't have the answer, but with all the great people and knowledge on this board . . . someone here may have had or seen similar experiences.

Welcome to the board and please do keep us posted on Dudley,

Mark

[wireweiners]

The plane ride from Ny to Paris may have upset him. Did he fly in the cargo hold?

I visited Paris once and the traffic made me shake too when I was on the street!<IMG SRC="http://dachsie.org/ubb/cwmsmilies/cwm31.gif" border=0>

I would try taking him to a park or someplace relatively quiet for starters and gradually work up to the street. Explain to him that French dogs get to go to restaurants and other neat places that American dogs can't go. <IMG SRC="http://dachsie.org/ubb/cwmsmilies/cwm42.gif" border=0> But he has to go outside to get there.

[LisaH]

I bet wireweiners is right--the plane ride may have upset him, and now he thinks anytime you go out it may be to get on another plane! Gradual desensitization is probably your best option--take him to really QUIET places at first, and build up.

[Penny's Aunt]

If the Prozac isn't working, maybe something else will. One of my dogs was put on acepromazine because he was so terrified of firecrackers, but instead of calming him down, he was literally trying to climb up the walls. Whew! Was I glad when THAT wore off! My vet gave him something else, & it worked fine.

That desensitizing him gradually may be the best way. If you have a cassette recorder, just go out & record traffic noise, then play it back. Start very, very softly, so you can hardly hear it. When it doesn't bother him, very gradually raise the volume. Be sure you don't move forward faster than he can handle it.

[wireweiners]

One other thing, when you take him out on the street don't baby him, pet him and fuss over him. That has the effect of praising him for being scared. Just act confident yourself and talk to him in a calm, matter of fact tone. If he jumps on you, don't pick him up. Just calmly tell him to get down and step back. If he follows you or makes any kind of positive movement, then praise him.

If there is anyone in the neighborhood that has a friendly dog his size you might try walking them at the same time. If he saw that the other dog wasn't afraid, it might help his confidence.