Is it an age thing?

[Frzframe]

Dudley seems to be overly afraid of things and so I was wondering if it was an age thing he's 13 weeks. I knew the vacuum would scare him but he was totally scared witless hiding behind the sofa. But then I started to notice he was hiding from other things as well or if outside running away.

How should I handle this? What should I do or not do?

Thanks.

~Shonda & Moo and Dud Dud

[blazeman]

Since the first vacuum thang... Woody does the same thing. I brougha broom out yesterday and he went and hid... I think it might just be an age thing. There are MANY more things that he should be afraid of... that he's not :)

[Frzframe]

I was wondering about Woody. So if they are both doing it, it must be an age thing.

How do you react to Woody when he's doing this?

Shonda

[blazeman]

Usually tell him there is nothing to be afriad of... try and get him to come over to me... usually with Jake next to me too. Trying to show him... that Jake isn't sacred... he shouldn't be either.

I don't pic him up... but I do try help him not be afraid at the noise/object.

[crock]

I believe it is an age thing. Everything is new to a puppy. Slowly exposing him to new things should help. Leave the vacuum out for a while and let him sniff it and look at it. Then turn it on for a couple of minutes. Slowly he should get use to it. Same for anything that makes noise.
The key to all new experiences is to let him see it for himself. We take our 2 - 4 mos old out to the Home Depot to see new sights and sounds and people. Last weekend while we were there something crashed in another aisle and the boys were totally uninterested. It didn't bother them at all. 3 weeks ago, it would have sared them.
So time and exposure will help.
Char

[Frzframe]

The only time I had to pick him up was after I ran the vacuum. This is because I've been locking us all in one room so I can watch the little guy close. So I dug him out from behind the sofa and took him with Mitzi and I to the family room where he hid again. But while in the bathroom I leave him behind the door while I'm blow drying my hair and call to him and he'll actually come out to see me then it's right back behind the door again.

I kind of thought that it was an age thing but I don't remember Mitzi going through this. :sarcastic

Thanks for the info and help.

~Shonda & Moo and Dud Dud

[crock]

Some go thru it and others don't. It's just like having a shy kid and an outgoing one.
The pups- Mickey is the outgoing on and Schnoppy is shy and reserved. Same mom dad.
Char

[TessieMom]

I remember reading something in Dachshunds for Dummies about different phases they go through at different ages. There is a shy phase, but I can't remember the exact age right now.

Rena and the Waco crew

[crock]

Great book. I recommend it to all new dachsie owners.

[loogie]

It's not always an age thing...

Rosco is STILL terrified of the vacuum cleaner. He is just over a year old. If he even sees a vacuum, his tail goes in the air and he starts barking frantically. Then once the vacuum is turned on, he runs and hides in the bedroom.

He has even started barking at vacuums at other people's houses! As long as the vacuum is within sight - he can't think about anything else.

Other loud noises don't really bother him too much unless there is a random crash-boom-bang, then he tells us there is something wrong.

[Katy]

I don't know if it is an age thing or a temperment thing. My 2 year old Maddy just completly ignores the vacuum...It has never bothered her. With the new little one I wanted to make sure I had the same cleaning freedom so I have been running the vacuum about every other day since she has been here. Today she just picked up her head, looked at me, and then layed down and went back to sleep, completly unfazed! As long as Maddy is in her house, or her grandma's house she is not afraid of anything. She will take on any noise and try to scare it away, with that super doxie bark!:fierce: Thus far Molly (8 weeks old) isn't afraid of anything, but being alone. If she loses sight of Maddy or hoomom feet she will get upset. So far she is not really effected by noises, lets hope she stays that way! I have never tried to be quiet for a puppy...I figure they will get used to the busy environment around here.;)

I also recommend the Dachshunds for Dummies book. I read it before we got Maddy, but I have to admit I didn't take all the info to heart. After learning from our mistakes with Maddy, I am using many more of the techniques with Molly. Maddy was our test dachshund, she eventually got everything, just a little slower, because of our mistakes.

Katy