Dogs are Terrified?
Phoebe is afraid of fireworks and loud music that comes in June with the nearby Greek Orthodox church festival. Last night we took Phoebe (65 lbs) and Winston (101 lbs) out around 10 p.m. They were terrified. We didn't hear any loud noise or see anything odd. Phoebe did not want to come out of the kitchen and into the garage. I got a lead and coaxed her out through the garage and onto the front yard where there is a lot of light. She was terrified and tried to run to the front door. She quickly did her business and pulled my husband back to garage straining on the lead like a sled dog. What could have scared them so badly? Usually they like to run to the empty lot across the street and have a gallop before they come back in. It's creeping me out. |
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If it is a rare, unusual behavior, you did right to heed her fear and cut it short.  Who knows what was out there, but I would have been freaked out as well. Dogs are WAY more perceptive than us. |
got sheep wrote: If it is a rare, unusual behavior, you did right to heed her fear and cut it short.
Who knows what was out there, but I would have been freaked out as well. Dogs are WAY more perceptive than us.Totally agree. I've learned to let Abi tell when we there's something nearby. At times it has been coyotes other times black bears. I have to hear something, she can smell their scent. If Phoebe isn't spayed and might be going into heat, she actually will attract the attention of coyotes before you know she's in heat. It's happened to me twice. |
| You didn't say how old they are. Eye sight changes can bring on reluctance to be out in the dark.
Yes, something might have happened to scare them, or just one and the other is reacting to the scardy-cat. Or as someone said, they may be smelling something they don't want to encounter. You may have to retrain by starting out in light and coming home in dusk and then gradually darken the ending to the walk. Coaxing may be part of the problem especially if you are just in the yard. Stride out confidently with her, let her do her business and then right back in. Too much "come on girl" may be showing you are wossie. Be confident. (and keep an eye out for wildlife.............) Now as for the GO music.....I'm with Phoebe. You'll find me far away from the music when we have our GO festival. I hate loud music...you'll find me opposite part of the complex or better yet, indoors. Do you know Bach Rescue Remedy? Could be some of this herbal are in order before the storms or festival. Or plan on sending them to doggie spa from Friday afternoon to Sunday afternoon during festival. For thunder, I've created an emergency box/crate where my most nervous dog will go during storms. It is as light proof as I can make it without smothering the dog and a radio playing. Let the dog use the den whenever it wants, storm or no. |
| The other night Violet was out in the yard barking and barking. She came in once to get my daughter. My daughter went out to see what was going on but didn't see anything. Violet kept her barking up for a while. We live out in the country. I think Violet could smell something and was alarmed. |
| I'm sure they smelled/heard something funny. In the past our dogs have alerted us to many things...raccoons, snapping turtles, muskrats, a bald eagle...and many exotic kinds of frozen poo as well. Of course in that case they run TO it, rather than away from it.
Probably they knew something was out there that they didn't want to tangle with. It could have been a larger critter, or a skunk in the area, or maybe even a teenager! You can never be too careful. There could have been a person lurking somewhere who was up to no good. Who knows? If it continues nightly I'd worry. If it's a once in a while thing, I'd just appreciate their doggie radar. |
| Mine do that from time to time...I think they smell either a possum, racoon or even a cat that was around just befor they came out. Our neighbor also has a tarp around some things and when its windy and they hear it rattle, it scares them to death...
Don't know where you live. Could you have coyotes? The dogs will smell that too. With woods behind you, who knows what is back there. I would keep them on leash and attempt to walk them as you usually do. maybe with the leash and with you beside them, whatever is out there won't scare them as much... I might add...could you ahve bears in your area? I know you said you live in the City but not sure where? We travel to a place in the mountains with bears and my dogs just will not venture out sometimes. I take that as a warning that something "bigger than us" is nearby |
| Thanks for all the ideas. We do have coyotes in the area (never seen or heard one) but no bears. Winston was fine in the morning but Phoebe was still a little anxious. Came out of the garage and ran around the back and up onto the deck.
Acting fine now. I think they smelled a coyote. |
| Daisey, our golden that we lost, was so reliable that the next door neighbor cop came gun drawn when I called to tell him Daisey was freaking out. To this day I don't know why she wigged, but I believed her. I am guessing someone from the street looked over our tall wall. |
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