# I am so tired of guns right now.. You guys are all aware that I don't mind hunters, but I am very tired of people shooting their guns where I live. It is not that rural where I live anymore. 20 years ago it wouldn't have mattered. Honestly 14 months ago, it wouldn't have mattered. Now, though, I have a shiba who freaks at the sound… ## Thread In Behavior · started by ljowen123 · 9 replies - **Category:** [Behavior](https://nihonken.org/community/c/behavior) - **Forum:** [Nihon Ken Forum](https://nihonken.org/community/) ## ljowen123 (moderator) · 2008-12-26T15:26:18.000Z You guys are all aware that I don't mind hunters, but I am very tired of people shooting their guns where I live. It is not that rural where I live anymore. 20 years ago it wouldn't have mattered. Honestly 14 months ago, it wouldn't have mattered. Now, though, I have a shiba who freaks at the sound of gunfire and I have no clue how to treat it. She completely blanks on focus or any kind of command. Just turns into a massive trembling bowl of jello. I knew there would be those around that got guns for Christmas (it happens every year in the South, rite of passage or something, idk), so I've been pre-treating with melatonin in the mornings - today it is all we've heard. I am so not looking forward to New Year's Eve. ## CrimsonO2 · 2008-12-26T15:36:08.000Z Did you ever see the Dog Whisperer (blasphemy I know) episode where he re-habbed a K-9 S&R after a tour of duty in Iraq and a hurricane where the dog now shuts down to sounds? It's one of the few episodes where he used a whole episode in showing his rehab process for the dog (it's actually quite good) It might help you with some insightful tips on how to go about getting Jazz de-sensitized to loud sounds. Jesse ## lindsayt · 2008-12-26T16:09:25.000Z TDW (the dog whisperer), used a quite extravagant method to desensitize that particular dog involving a treadmill in a bullet trailer and projector screen with a rain setup and surround sound where the dog was walking on the treadmill, while artificial rain and thunder happended around it and it was forced to watch a theater screen of fireworks and bombs dropping with gunshots and thunder in the background while a fan blew wind on it. I have heard more often of people recording gun shots, thunder and hunting noises and re playing them on a cassette recorder for gun shy dogs until they got used to the noise (the sound no longer becomes a novel thing). That sounds a lot more realistic than the silver bullet trailer from hell (I mean it seemed to work, I'm not arguing that, but again, TDW was using an extreme example, something most wouldn't need to use.) Poor Jazz, it's upsetting when our pets are frightened and unconsolable. ## CrimsonO2 · 2008-12-26T16:19:11.000Z Lindsay, The bullet trailer was the finale treatment and culminated in a visual and auditory stimulus desensitization. In the beginning, he did exactly what you described, he had recordings of loud sounds he would play to provide auditory desensitization to the dog via a boom box. It was one of the few episodes where he was definitely trying multiple methods until he found one that got the dog most of the way rehabilitated. I was just suggesting it because he tried multiple methods and it would give LJ some ideas, like leaving a tape recorder outside during New Years to get her very own recordings of gunfire and fireworks/loud sounds. This way, LJ's not reacting to the loud sounds or pre-treating since she has more control of when Jazz hears the sounds and will be able to train around it. Jesse ## tsukitsune (moderator) · 2008-12-26T16:46:50.000Z TDW's method probably had a strong validity with that dog who experienced intense, major trauma. In most cases, TDW is the last resort for a dog because his methods are quite extreme, but its a good example for what could work in a lesser degree with Jazz. Jazz seems to be reactive in many things in her life, probably because they are not daily occurrences. I know this was true with Hachi, because most of the things she feared were not in front of her 24/7, when they happened they made it all the more traumatic. For instance, we got her to walk past garbage/recycling bins by holding a treat and keeping her attention on the treat while walking past. Pleasurable experience. If you do get a recording of the sounds for her, make it a really good experience, give her the melatonin, sit and gently pet her, give her a good bone or toy and let her relax and get accustomed to the noises. On New Years perhaps just creating a safe space might help. But if she looses all focus, can you clap or do something to make her refocus, even if its just for a second? Those seconds are your prize to give her something really yummy and rally her attention. Rehabilitation is a really long, long process. And certainly not easy - as you well know, LJ! But if you can be consistent, Jazz will rely on it and be all the more at peace. ## ljowen123 (moderator) · 2008-12-26T20:47:49.000Z So far, I have been unable to regain her focus within a few moments. The main problem is the randomness. I will probably record the sounds on New Year's Eve. ## StaticNfuzz · 2008-12-27T00:56:44.000Z LJ maybe you have a family member that you can record at target practice or starter pistol at different distances. Playing the recordings as part of play or activities might help habituate Jazz to the sounds. I have heard of a Shiba digging out of its yard upon hearing gun shots so Jazz is not the only sensitive one. Here is a link I have not seen before about noise phobias http://www.veterinarypetcare.com/dogfear.html Hope it helps Snf ## TheWalrus · 2008-12-27T09:38:55.000Z A method you could try to de-sensitize a dog to gunfire is to use a starter pistol (one of those ones you use for track and field). You'd probably need someone to help you, but just start by taking Jazz somewhere familiar where she likes to play. The person with the pistol starts a couple hundred yards away, and fires the pistol while you distract/play with her. Then once she starts ignoring the sound (hopefully!) the person with the pistol moves closer. Coupled with the 'recording' method, I'm pretty sure it would work. I've seen completely gun-shy dogs overcome their phobia w/o the use of a million dollar trailer of death :P ## ljowen123 (moderator) · 2008-12-27T11:02:25.000Z Patrice - thanks for the link. Gunfire at the range is a lot louder than it ever is at my house, but may work. Maybe using a small .22 caliber would be best, that way it isn't as loud as my 9. Shigeru - unfortunately, the only place that Jazz likes to play is at home in the house. She spent 2 years outside in a dogrun and would prefer to never go out. We continue to work out on this. I have a 30' lead that we put her on when we are outside and I've plans to buy at 10' x 15' fenced run with wheels to move about so that she can be wherever I am when I'm outside. I fully believe she can overcome this and I know it will take time. Thanks for the ideas on recording sounds - I truly had not thought of that. ## StaticNfuzz · 2008-12-27T13:11:58.000Z Quick fyi....To anyone who plans on desensitizing their dog to gun fire I would NOT start out directly with firing guns near them. Recordings of random fire is a better start. Part of the problem in the real environment is that depending on the gauge of the gun the kick back also leaves a physical reverberation on objects all around. If you have been near a range you know what I mean. Even if you don't fire the gun you will feel the recoil internally. That can be felt many acres away depending on the weapon. This is one element that can really frighten some dogs besides the sound itself. Be cautious when working with sound sensitive dogs one can do more harm than good if you just take it from Cesar's DW show. Snf --- **Navigate:** [Forum home](https://nihonken.org/community/?format=md) · [Sitemap](https://nihonken.org/community/sitemap.xml)