[piplo123]

Hi

I have a 5 1/2 month old Lab. He was very nervous when I got him and totally unsocialised. I have worked hard in the last two months to get him more confident. When he was jabbed up I took him for a walk around the park, he saw a bike go past, pulled off his leash and ran. A man caught him before he ran into the road and he had pooed himself through fear. I took him out twice since then and each time he saw a bike he was more and more nervous. Since then he refuses to go out for a walk, but plays happily in the garden. He is clearly frightened of bikes, cars and loud noises. I have a bike and he sees it every day and runs past it and sniffs it - no fear. As soon as he sees it move he runs to the corner of the room. I have had three trainers/behaviourists come in, charge me god money, 'help' and basically get nowhere. I am now having to put a thunder shirt and harness around him, carry him as far as I can and then he is so scared he twists in circles and pulls me home. He won't touch treats or his toys during this. I have tried everything I can think of including t touch techniques. No change. Anyone have any ideas at all? Please help me, I'm desperate!

[ballengerb1]

Sounds like your dogs fears are generated from unfamiliarity with many things. My Plott Hound rescue paniced at stairs, bikes, cats, etc... you name it. This was because many dogs "think" if I don't know it then it may eat me. You need to show your guy that these things will not eat him. Exposure, praise, treats and training will help. Has he been to obedience training and how much exercise does he get each day? Iused to take my guy to the rain station around 4:00 and we just sat on a bench while I drank coffee. He saw people, strollers, bikes and nothing ate him. He became a start with many of the daily riders.

[shazamataz]

Ballengers technique is one that has been tried and tested to work. It's great that you have a thundershirt, I have seen some great success stories with those, they really help to make the dog feel more secure. If you have plenty of time up your sleeve or some good friend willing to go on daily outings to the local coffee shop with your dog it's definitely worth trying.

Another method is one you can try at home and perhaps even before taking him out to sit at the coffee shop. If he dislikes your own bike moving you can try, with the help of a friend desensitizing him to it.
First off have some treats on hand, any good behavior should be rewarded. Have the dog sit inside near a window and get your friend to move the bike around outside, as far away as you think the dog will handle without becoming afraid.
Gradually get the friend to bring the bike closer, just walking back and forth or riding it. The dog should feel secure being inside the house while the bike is out. If the dog shows any signs of becoming afraid, take a step back with the bike until he is comfortable with the distance.

Eventually you can work up to bringing the dog outside with the bike and doing the same exercise.

[paleophlatus]

Not all aberrant behavior is the result of some unfortunate experience in earlier life. After all the training, consulting, thunder shirts, etc, have failed to produce a decently behaved animal, consider that it's breeding may be at the foundation of the problem.

Every respectable breeder I have known will admit that there are some genuine 'spooks' born in their kennel, to their 'line'. Sometimes, a certain breeding pair will produce a predictable number of social outcasts, and be excluded from the breeding program. Inconsolable fear or timidity (or is this just a matter of degree?) are the usual symptoms.

Just my opinion, however, for what it's worth.