Hi

We adopted 4 weeks ago a 3 years old mix terrier from a shelter. He is crate trained. A loving little guy.
However, he has fear issues. He has a fear from noises. (my vacuum cleaner, trucks...).
All I know about his past that he was in a yard for 2.5 years without seeing a vet and the world.
When we go on walks (with a leash of course), and he hears a loud noise, he panics. He tries to run away. He can't control himself.
We give him treats when he is brave.
We are very patient and we want to help him to over come his fears.

Do you have any tips how can we help him?

Thank you in advance
Maayan

I don't know if this is such a good idea, particularly in a dog his age, and who has had these fears for so long, but it's the only thing I have to offer (maybe someone else will have a better idea, or you can take the principal and adapt it to your needs): Hunters adapt their gun dog puppies to the sound of gunshot by making a lot of noise (banging pots and pans, or a pop gun) during feeding. The pups begin to associate the noise with a positive experience and eventually loud noises don't bother them. [B]But it takes time, several weeks or months, even.[B] Your approach sounds pretty close to this same kind of training-- reward for "being brave." Remember, if he's cowering or showing fear, do not reward. Only reward for calm behavior. That said, my dog doesn't care for the vacuum either. She always just leaves the room until it has been turned off. It is rather loud and bothersome, though; I can't say that I blame her.

That's actually a good idea, but you might want to start with "small" noises, ie crinkling plastic bags/paper or soft clapping. Good luck!

Originally Posted by Sol

Hi

We adopted 4 weeks ago a 3 years old mix terrier from a shelter. He is crate trained. A loving little guy.
However, he has fear issues. He has a fear from noises. (my vacuum cleaner, trucks...).
All I know about his past that he was in a yard for 2.5 years without seeing a vet and the world.
When we go on walks (with a leash of course), and he hears a loud noise, he panics. He tries to run away. He can't control himself.
We give him treats when he is brave.
We are very patient and we want to help him to over come his fears.

Do you have any tips how can we help him?

Thank you in advance
Maayan

I think you are on the right track. Continue to praise and reward him when he is brave. If he whines or cries, to lavish him with attention as he might maintain or develop a bigger issue.

You want to understand counter conditioning and desensitization to help your dog. Just making loud noises can make the problem worse. Associating food or something good with the noises is counter conditioning is a good idea, but go slowly. Praising a dog or rewarding a dog when it is afraid of something and showing it WILL NOT make the problem worse. It's a myth and needs to go away! You cannot reinforce fear in a dog by providing anything that comforts the dog. Indeed you can help the dog by doing so. ANYTHING that makes a dog feel better when it is afraid, and whining, hiding, cowering, whatever, is going to change the behavior. Think about it, if someone gives you a chocolate when you're afraid of something, it may not make you less afraid, but it sure isn't going to make you more afraid. If they hold your hand or give you a hug it's not going to make you more afraid. Do whatever you can to help a scared dog.