Sometimes things in life can be very scary. Whether you are a dog or a cat or a human, sometimes you just come upon a place you don’t want to venture into, or hear a sound that makes you jump, or you just feel that something weird is in the air and it makes your hair stand up. I try to respect the ‘scaries.’ Now I know that my animals have a different sense of the scaries than I do. I am afraid of ballons, they do not seem to mind them. They are afraid of the vaccuum, me, no so much. I do find it interesting what makes the ruff on the backs of their necks stand up. I am not sure if that is a response to fear or for protection (or maybe both). I know sometimes the cats will run into a room, jump in the air, and high tail it out of there like something was on fire. Not always sure what spooks these guys, Sofie seems to spook really easy lately. The slightest noise gets her barking her head off. But, I really hate when the animals get the ‘hebbie-gebbies.’ When they get anxious, for what seems like no reason, barking at something I can no see, or Lulu moves away and cowers, then I start to get concern, and wonder what my human sense is missing that their animal sense is zeroing in on. This is making me think about the things that they are afraid of and the why. Louise, is fearful of new people and new animals. Tail will go down, hackles will go up. She will bark and show fearful behaviors so I do my best to be between her and her fear factor until she can get calm. I think it takes a long time to manage fears internally, so I do my best to stay with her through it and make sure she knows she is safe with me. I never force her into situations if she does not want to try it (except the Vet). Sometimes, she is just afraid of something she sees in the shadows (that I just don’t see) and she will jump in the air or bolt (pulling the lease out of my hand kind of bolting) and I do not know why. Sofie loathes white trash bags and will squirm out of the kitchen when I am putting a new one in the garbage can. In general, I have not found Sofie to be afraid of much else except the vacuum monster (or me leaving, but is that fear?). Me, one of my largest fears is the yard gate being open without me knowing and something happening to these 2 silly mutts in the street. The cats are afraid of getting eaten by the dogs (which is unfounded in the house but still a good natural response). Fear is a very health response and keeps us safe if managed. I try really hard to personally embrace my fears and listen to the animals about theirs. Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤
DogDaz Zoo 
Genevieve Petrillo
February 20, 2012 at 06:22
Fear is scary… Yeah, I guess you know that. Sometimes it comes when you least expect it. Yesterday in the middle of a happy, fun ride in the car – Mom decided to go to the drive-thru car wash. Guys with power hoses and giant machines kept shooting water at me, but I WASN’T GETTING WET!! Whaaaaat??!! It was freaky! I was shivering like crazy. Luckily, Mom had some Cheerios in the car, so after some more guys rubbed the car with towels, I had a few and felt better. Yikes!
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dogdaz
February 20, 2012 at 08:11
oh yah! That car wash thing is not a dog friendly event.
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Bassas Blog
February 20, 2012 at 06:55
Great post! Some animals seem very sensitive. I’ve read on blogs that some animals don’t like thunder or fireworks – those things have never bothered me. The only thing I don’t like is when the tall person looks at me with disapproval because I have done something wrong 😦
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dogdaz
February 20, 2012 at 08:13
Bassa – Old Squash E Bear hated fireworks, but Lulu and Sofie are not yet to afraid. Thunder has not happened much in their young lives, but time will tell. Both are very afraid of the ‘look’ too. – DogDaz
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Sandy Steinruck
February 20, 2012 at 08:26
I am convinced that my dogs bark when they see something and want to share it with me. When they bark at the Fed Ex/ UPS truck or a neighbor they look at me over their shoulder to make sure I heard them. If the person keeps coming then the rottweiler gets on the coach and gets more aggressive while the bigger dog comes to get me. If I tell them it is OK then they go into welcome mode. If I don’t say OK then they continue to bark. I try to respond each time they bark to encourage the watch dog behavior. Sometimes I think they have short term memory loss when they bark at the lawn guys next door 3-4 times in an hour. The only thing they are truly afraid of is our 12 pound cat, named Momma. She has drawn blood on all 3 of them. They will walk around her or take a different path to avoid her.
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dogdaz
February 20, 2012 at 08:32
Too funny. Send me a picture of Momma. Sounds like she is the boss (as it should be).
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Bongo
February 20, 2012 at 22:03
I wish I had Bassa’s bravery, but I’m deathly afraid of thunder.
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2browndawgs
February 21, 2012 at 12:32
Some fears in dogs can be from a softer temperament and some may be a result of something which stressed them during the fear imprinting portion of their development. We tried to make that early fear imprinting period a silly happy one for Freighter. Lots of positive socialization and lots of positive experiences. I think the next will start at around 6 months and we will take care during that period. No scary dog show judges for Freighter (unlike poor Storm which imprinted her with a fear of them and any event which looks like a dog show, for example inside obedience).
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bdorancpdt
February 21, 2012 at 18:22
Fear is unfortunate, however, far more prevalent in some dogs than others. I tend to believe there’s also a genetic factor in addition to how puppies navigate their fear periods. I’m not saying it’s all genetic by any means, but having worked with/seen many dogs (thousands) I’ve seen it run in breeding lines.
Also, thanks for the follow!!
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dogdaz
February 21, 2012 at 19:57
Thanks for stopping by.
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