Stressed Frenchie

[Pope]

I posted about this maybe a year or so ago, but it's progressively gotten worse. My frenchie whines at the tv. It began maybe 1.5 years ago whenever a dog came on the screen (sound or not), then it became any animal, and now it's any animal, anything animated, and any random thing. He becomes extremely stressed and his little heart starts racing. We've tried training him to sit by me during those moments (didn't work), he knows leave it and come, but neither work in this situation, I've tried holding him during that to see if a thunder jacket might help, but he just freaks out and wriggles out of my arms. It's become clear that it isn't a behavioral issue. Idk what to do about this. I feel so terrible for him and want to figure out how to help him not feel so extremely stressed.

Any thoughts? Suggestions? Anyone else have a frenchie with specific anxiety issues?

 

[Jakeyjake]

Stella is a highly reactive dog. I'm not sure if it is due to the fact that she has hydrocephalus or if it is just her personality. Nonetheless she will randomly run and freak out over something on the TV (along with a load of other things) I try to redirect her attention, sometimes without success. Usually playing a game of fetch with her works. Will he let you lie him on his back? If so, you could try to rub/massage him so that he associates a relaxing activity with the TV. I try to practice this with Stella when I can. Is he crate trained? Perhaps TV time could be crate time with a nice chew. Strangely, Stella will settle when I put her in a xpen. It's as if she just gives up. I understand how you feel and it's so awful to see them in that state of mind. Good luck!

 

[Nicole G]

I feel so sorry for Pope. We've had dogs absolutely petrified of just about everything - it's hard to fix!

If it helps at all, Ella was absolutely petrified of the town's fireworks. Slowly but surely, I was able to get her closer and closer to going outside when they were going on, and now she can come out in the yard when they're around without caring. Cheese (her favorite treat) worked wonders!

My other thought would be: could you try a relaxing channel and slowly work him up to the 'scary' ones? I don't know if you get them, but there are channels that just play music and/or nature scenery like water and flowers (Ella's breeder used to put them on for the puppies as background noise). Maybe that wouldn't be so frightening for him if there were treats involved!

 

[2bullymama]

That does seem extreme... have you thought to have a dog behaviorist come to the house and evaluate the reaction? If distration with his favortite toy or treat does not help... I am not sure what else you could do for him

 

[BamaGroomer]

When he does this do you say anything? I know you said you hold him and that's made it worse. Yes I'm sure it did, you shouldn't say or do anything. Just ignore the behavior, he will notice that you didn't react so must not be a big deal. I rescued a little mixes dog years ago. When it would come a thunderstorm he would absolutely freak out! I would let him sit beside me but I ignored him I didn't say anything to him and now he doesn't do anything when it storms. As a dog groomer I have had clients bring their pups in and the pup is scared heart racing. So what would the owner do....they would hold them tight and say it's okay!! It's okay!!! They just told their baby that we are going to cut all their legs off! When u hug your pup you are reinforcing the behavior you don't like. Now if the owner would have brought them in on a leash it would have been different. Or if they are holding them to just relax and not speak to them. It's amazing the pups that use to be so scared come in and knock the door wide open like I'm here I'm here! Where are all my friends!!! lol
Sorry for the lengthy msg!! Good Luck to you and your sweet baby!


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