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   From: ThePuppyWizard@EarthLink.Net   
      
   HOWEDY leah,   
      
   Your IDIOCY didn't work for your own dog's   
   FEAR of the GARBAGE MONSTER.   
      
   REMEMBER?   
      
   BWEEEEEEEEAAHAHAHAHAHAA!!!   
      
   "Leah"  wrote in message   
   news:20041218143217.08355.00002114@mb-m04.aol.com...   
   > > "Pam" sgiles@golden.net wrote:   
   > > When Lexi saw them coming down the hill   
   > >(screaming and yelling, of course), she just about had a heart   
   attack.   
   >    
   > >again, but unfortunately we ran into some again. Her reaction   
   > >was similar, but I thought not quite as reactive, and she was   
   able to regain   
   > >her composure enough to sniff around and even play fetch again   
   before we   
   > >went home. At this point, I was thinking that continual   
   exposure would make   
   > >this no big deal after awhile.   
   >   
   > Yes, continual exposure to desensitize her to it.  But under   
   controlled   
   > conditions.  You can't just keep surprising her with screaming   
   sledders, or   
   > you're going to worsen that fear - especially since it's   
   happening in different   
   > places, which will generalize it.   
   >   
   > First of all, exactly what is it that sets her off?  Is it the   
   screaming or the   
   > toboggan or the sound of the toboggan, or the whole package?   
   (For example,   
   > does she always react to the sound of children playing, or is it   
   just   
   > specifically when they're on a toboggan?)  What was different   
   between the first   
   > incident and the second?  How do you react when she gets   
   frightened?  How   
   > quickly does she get over it?   
   >   
   > Basically, I would take these steps:   
   >   
   > 1.  Expose her to the object of fear at a SAFE distance away -   
   i.e., a distance   
   > at which she has no fear reaction.   
   >   
   > 2.  Open Bar - Every time the object is in her view or hearing,   
   you're   
   > rapid-firing with praise, treats, play, all three if they float   
   her boat.  When   
   > the object is gone, you stop.   
   >   
   > 3.   As long as she's showing no fear:  Next session, start at   
   original spot.   
   > After a few minutes, move a bit closer.   
   >   
   > 4.  If at any point she begins to sho   wfear,movebackwards.   
   >   
   > 5.  Keep sessions short - i.e., 5 minutes.   
   >   
   > Unfortunately, the most important thing is that she is not   
   "surprised" by an   
   > incident before she's ready for it.   
   >   
   > Perhaps you can wait on her walks until after dark, when the   
   kids are in bed?   
   >   
   > > I've also heard that GSD's go through a fear   
   > >period around the 12 month mark and she's now almost 14 months,   
   so maybe   
   > >this is part of it.   
   >   
   > Some people will tell you there are no fear periods.  All I can   
   say is that   
   > I've seen too many adolescent GSDs who develop quirky little   
   phobias to   
   > discount it entirely. :}   
   >   
   > But it still won't go way on its own.   
   >   
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