Complete Information Regarding the Pug Dog
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When a Pug Dog is Afraid of Noises, Cars and the Outside World
A PetPugMember is concerned because his Pug is afraid of many outside elements, such as noises and cars. This problem is very fixable!
Q: My pug (Pugsy) is 5 months old and she seems to be afraid of any and every noise! This is especially evident when I take her out for a walk. I stay in an apartment building and from the moment she steps out of the door (which she is quite apprehensive of, in the first place!), she starts to react to all noises echoing in the corridor, and she shows how scared she is by tucking her tail in between her legs and the nervousness grows more as I take her out and about.
She is extremly afraid of the vehicles passing by on the road and of people, and the cyclists! How can I make her overcome this fear? Will this fear fade away as she grows? Thanks in anticipation for your advice. Neil, Dubai, UAE
A: Hi Neil. We know that you are a kind and loving owner to Pugsy, from our previous correspondence with you. Please know that this problem is not your fault and that it is very fixable.
Most dogs that display this type of behavior have been previously abused. We wonder if you have had your Pug since she was a puppy or if perhaps you saved her from an abusive owner. Either way, there is definitely help.
You dog is still very young, at 5 months. We must remember that the world is a very scary place in the eyes of a puppy. A dog must be socialized in order to learn what the world is all about, what is not scary and what is dangerous. Your Pug appears to be happy at home, she feels safe and secure there. As soon as you open that door, to her it is as if you are opening a door to a terrifying place. A place filled with strange noises and large objects whizzing by.
The way to fix this is through a process called Desensitization. This method works, however do know that in order for it to work, you will need to be patient and have a strong commitment to helping your dog. Once this method is complete, your Pug will not be afraid of anything and you will be able to enjoy happy walks together and be able to go anywhere with her!
It must begin this way: With the door. The door is the catalyst to her fears. Planning ahead, have a small bag of treats about 1 to 2 feet right outside the door. Do not let her see you put them there. Then, because a dog will react to the tone of your voice, in a calm and happy voice say "Let's go outside". Lead her out of the door and say, "Look, treats!" or something to that affect.
Sit next to your dog while she snacks. Pat her and tell her what a good dog she is. When she is done eating, sit for about 5 or 10 more minutes in the same area. Pat her and talk to her in a calm voice and keep telling her she is good. Then, go back inside your home.
The secret to this working? Every day, you must place the bag of dog treats a bit further away from the door. Each day, you and Pugsy will walk a bit further away from the door for her to find her happy treat. If dog treats do not work well, you may also do this with dog toys (but this will of course be more expensive to keep buying new and interesting dog toys!).
After about 2 weeks, you should be at the point of having the dog treats outside your apartment building. Now she will not be afraid of the door, the corridor or leaving the apartment.
Now, about the cars and cyclists. This will also be fixed using the Desensitization Method. Once your dog has learned that all is happy and safe exiting the building, bring her directly to a street that is not crowded. Try to find a street that has only perhaps 1 or 2 cars or cyclists that go by every 5 or 10 minutes. If all the streets are crowded, try to find a park that is quiet or other area.
Have her on a leash that is not too long (about 4 to 6 feet) and have her walk on the inside (make sure that you are between your dog and the cars). When you see a car approaching, identify it to her. Say, "Car" in a happy tone. Or "cycle" in a happy tone. Stop for a moment if you must and pat her while the car drives by. Tell her she is a good dog and give her a small treat if that is needed. After the car passes, continue walking and talking to her. Make sure to talk to her a lot so that she is very aware that you are right there. She will learn from the sound and tone of your voice that there are no dangers.
Once she appears to be able to handle a couple of cars, work your way up to a street that is a bit busier. They key is to do this slowly. Once she learns to not be afraid of 1 car, she will then learn to not be afraid of 2 cars and so on. It is through this step-by-step process that your dog will learn about the world. Owners must slowly teach their dogs about the world. It must be done in increments.
Pugsy does not know that noises are not predators. She does not know that cars are not going to run her over. Using this method, in time, she will become aware of the world and understand what is safe and what is not safe. Allowing her to learn this slowly, will take away the stress she feels. Talking to her in a calm and caring voice will help her understand.
We estimate that if you begin now, by the time Pugsy is 7 months old, she will be very well adjusted and happy to go for walks. If this is not done, she may be afraid for her whole life. Good luck and please let us know how this worked for you and your wonderful dog!
She is extremly afraid of the vehicles passing by on the road and of people, and the cyclists! How can I make her overcome this fear? Will this fear fade away as she grows? Thanks in anticipation for your advice. Neil, Dubai, UAE
A: Hi Neil. We know that you are a kind and loving owner to Pugsy, from our previous correspondence with you. Please know that this problem is not your fault and that it is very fixable.
Most dogs that display this type of behavior have been previously abused. We wonder if you have had your Pug since she was a puppy or if perhaps you saved her from an abusive owner. Either way, there is definitely help.
You dog is still very young, at 5 months. We must remember that the world is a very scary place in the eyes of a puppy. A dog must be socialized in order to learn what the world is all about, what is not scary and what is dangerous. Your Pug appears to be happy at home, she feels safe and secure there. As soon as you open that door, to her it is as if you are opening a door to a terrifying place. A place filled with strange noises and large objects whizzing by.
The way to fix this is through a process called Desensitization. This method works, however do know that in order for it to work, you will need to be patient and have a strong commitment to helping your dog. Once this method is complete, your Pug will not be afraid of anything and you will be able to enjoy happy walks together and be able to go anywhere with her!
It must begin this way: With the door. The door is the catalyst to her fears. Planning ahead, have a small bag of treats about 1 to 2 feet right outside the door. Do not let her see you put them there. Then, because a dog will react to the tone of your voice, in a calm and happy voice say "Let's go outside". Lead her out of the door and say, "Look, treats!" or something to that affect.
Sit next to your dog while she snacks. Pat her and tell her what a good dog she is. When she is done eating, sit for about 5 or 10 more minutes in the same area. Pat her and talk to her in a calm voice and keep telling her she is good. Then, go back inside your home.
The secret to this working? Every day, you must place the bag of dog treats a bit further away from the door. Each day, you and Pugsy will walk a bit further away from the door for her to find her happy treat. If dog treats do not work well, you may also do this with dog toys (but this will of course be more expensive to keep buying new and interesting dog toys!).
After about 2 weeks, you should be at the point of having the dog treats outside your apartment building. Now she will not be afraid of the door, the corridor or leaving the apartment.
Now, about the cars and cyclists. This will also be fixed using the Desensitization Method. Once your dog has learned that all is happy and safe exiting the building, bring her directly to a street that is not crowded. Try to find a street that has only perhaps 1 or 2 cars or cyclists that go by every 5 or 10 minutes. If all the streets are crowded, try to find a park that is quiet or other area.
Have her on a leash that is not too long (about 4 to 6 feet) and have her walk on the inside (make sure that you are between your dog and the cars). When you see a car approaching, identify it to her. Say, "Car" in a happy tone. Or "cycle" in a happy tone. Stop for a moment if you must and pat her while the car drives by. Tell her she is a good dog and give her a small treat if that is needed. After the car passes, continue walking and talking to her. Make sure to talk to her a lot so that she is very aware that you are right there. She will learn from the sound and tone of your voice that there are no dangers.
Once she appears to be able to handle a couple of cars, work your way up to a street that is a bit busier. They key is to do this slowly. Once she learns to not be afraid of 1 car, she will then learn to not be afraid of 2 cars and so on. It is through this step-by-step process that your dog will learn about the world. Owners must slowly teach their dogs about the world. It must be done in increments.
Pugsy does not know that noises are not predators. She does not know that cars are not going to run her over. Using this method, in time, she will become aware of the world and understand what is safe and what is not safe. Allowing her to learn this slowly, will take away the stress she feels. Talking to her in a calm and caring voice will help her understand.
We estimate that if you begin now, by the time Pugsy is 7 months old, she will be very well adjusted and happy to go for walks. If this is not done, she may be afraid for her whole life. Good luck and please let us know how this worked for you and your wonderful dog!
