Skip to content

Scared of people / crowds

Behavioral Issues
  • Not unusual to be sensitive to selective things. My first boy was deathly afraid of the central vac. I cured that by feeding him in the opposite end of the house while it was running, then gradually moving it closer as his anxiety eased. Move the hose first, vacuum off, then after some time to get used to that, turn it on in the new position. Over the space of a few weeks we went from it literally scaring the shit out of him to him being able to eat his dinner with the hose coiled around his dish and the vacuum running. These things take time, and I never pushed him past his comfort level. If you take it a step too far, go back to the last known comfort zone (or further, if necessary) and eventually you will get there.

    I should add, I adopted him at just under 2 years of age, and he arrived with this phobia.

  • @sarahmiri - Usually the "fear" period is not at his age, but earlier...... It can't hurt to make sure that his hearing is normal... always good to scratch off any possibles...

  • @sarahmiri said in Scared of people / crowds:

    He does hear when I prepare his food even when doors are closed

    oh good... well, then. Perhaps helping him by describing what the noises are?
    "There's a noisy truck coming down the road", or "It's ok, it's just a motorcycle."
    -- I'm only thinking out loud.

  • I talk to him with a calm voice but it doesn't help. I think he needs to built up his selfesteem. Any tips?

  • You need to build up his confidence, @sarahmiri - This is not something he can easily do for himself. Don't push him out of his comfort zone at first, but then very gradually and if he gets things right, LOTS of praise and cuddles. Let him know how clever he is at each step and take things slowly. You will need to be patient, but do have his ears checked, sudden loud noises rather than something continuous could be upsetting him.

  • @sarahmiri said in Scared of people / crowds:

    I talk to him with a calm voice but it doesn't help. I think he needs to built up his selfesteem. Any tips?

    Calm is good. Also, radiate interest rather than alarm at anything that is happening around you. Here is a chance to hone your acting skills. Adopt the attitude that whatever is approaching or whatever you are approaching is a special treat, something enticing, not threatening. If you can make yourself "feel" that, your dog will pick up on your emotions and hopefully adopt the same attitude. OTOH, if you are apprehensive about anything, he will pick up on that too, so it's important to try to really feel positive instead of concerned.

  • I watched him closely today. It's always humans that scare him. When one appears he just looks (interesting enough to pull on the leash). When it's two or more in different directions he is overwhelmed and looks panicky from one to the other. Sometimes he walks a bow and sometimes he pulls to them. How should I behave when he panics?

  • If you are out with him, squat down beside him, talking to him calmly the while and hold him close. Cuddle him while reassuring him. Tell him there is nothing to worry about, Mom is with him. Stroke him, cuddle him, let him feel you are really close to him. Do NOT pick him up. Get down to his level.

  • @sarahmiri said in Scared of people / crowds:

    It's always humans that scare him.

    That's good, if he was only scared of Martians he'd be normal. ;)

    When it's two or more in different directions he is overwhelmed and looks panicky

    He might be confused about how he can protect you if danger is coming from two different places... (?)

    How should I behave when he panics?

    Stop walking, put your foot on the leash so his movement is limited, and tell him, "It's okay... I'm right here" until he calms down. You can pet him while you do it, you just want to reassure him that you can protect him, too. Let him know that you've got this and everything is ok.

  • Do you think it helps to carry him when he gets scared?

  • @sarahmiri - I would say no to carrying him.... don't pick him up, but get down to his level as Zande pointed out in her response.

Suggested Topics

  • Dog Behaviorist/Trainer needed

    Behavioral Issues
    22
    1 Votes
    22 Posts
    6k Views
    D
    @elbrant With my first B (who educated me on the art of the basenji lol), I did not initially give him enough walks. It really didn’t do either of us any good lol. A tired basenji is a good basenji rings true and also a tired basenji is a happy content basenji :) It also does the humans a lot of good to get out in nature and walk, both mentally and physically. Good long walks and mental stimulation are probably the easiest fix for most problems. One thing that is also important is to get past the “master” phase / idea. Many dogs adore their owners as their master and just want to please their owners. I think the crucial stage with a basenji comes somewhere around the two year stage, where I reach a “special understanding” with them. There is this bond and understanding where they start to trust and understand that I am the ultimate master of them, but without trying to quash their unique spirits. So on the big stuff they have to trust me, but they can still get away with the small stuff. It’s really hard to explain that to people who have not experienced that as new owners. If they get past that difficult stage they will be hooked, but it isn’t always easy to believe that you will get past it and some just don’t want to put that much effort into them. I remember my first basenji and wondering why I had such a strange and crazy dog. Which then made me read and research what was “wrong” with him lol.
  • 9 months and suddenly scared of everything

    Behavioral Issues
    10
    0 Votes
    10 Posts
    4k Views
    ZandeZ
    @rugosa said in 9 months and suddenly scared of everything: They feel more confident when you exhibit confidence Very well put ! Quiet, firm, confidence - a Basenji reacts to voice, and if he/she senses uncertainty, that is what it will react to !
  • Frustrated w/ the chewing

    Behavioral Issues
    28
    0 Votes
    28 Posts
    12k Views
    M
    @DebraDownSouth: Have you thought about putting him in the bed WITH you when you sleep? He used to sleep with us when we first got him but we had to stop because it would worsen my allergies. Ever since he stopped sleeping with us i'm now able to tolerate being around him.
  • Itch/scratch spot…

    Behavioral Issues
    11
    0 Votes
    11 Posts
    3k Views
    BasenjimammaB
    I think the oil makes for fishy breath after they have consumed it, but it goes away rather quickly after that, so about an hour max after each meal, more like 30 minutes.. The pros are way better then the cons, I highly recommend it, his itching will be better, his coat will be shiny (although as a puppy I bet he already has great looking coat) and his jonts will thank you in the long run..win, win..
  • Driving the people upstairs crazy :(

    Behavioral Issues
    13
    0 Votes
    13 Posts
    4k Views
    tanzaT
    @phoenix3: I've tried the treats all diffent types and the kongs they hate kongs go figure my luck huh lol I can't separate them because i tried that once and upstairs said it only made it worse instead of constant barking it was barking with constant loud whining on top of that I think i'm going to start off trying that "rescue remedy" and see how that works first. then if need be i will go to the vet and see what kind of meds they suggest Is the rescue remedy a plug in thing or is it a pill i give to the dog ?? Is there diffent types out there of it ?? Thanks for all the suggestions :) Rescue Remedy is a liquid… but it is 27% alcohol... whcih is most likey why it works for some dogs. Honestly, I have never had any luck with it....
  • Resource/territory guarding???

    Behavioral Issues
    8
    0 Votes
    8 Posts
    3k Views
    QuercusQ
    <> Yay! Perfect resource! Keep up the good work!