Advice, please ....dog & fire

[FestiveEdition]

Am hoping someone can give me advice on a discipline issue, which I am totally torn over.

I have two spaniels, one came to me this year as a rescue. She is 6 years old, had not been cruelly treated but had been with people who didn't really know how to treat dogs (walked once a week etc)and was no longer wanted once a baby arrived (grrrr)

All has been fine, we have overcome the few training issues she had (recall etc) but the arrival of colder weather has presented a real problem. She is petrified of the open fire. Will do anything to leave the room and, if allowed, determinedly stays in a cold kitchen. This was never going to be a quick fix ...treats & reassurance have made no appreciable difference, however tonight we have made a great step forward in that the minute it was lit she jumped straight across me on the sofa (squashing a box of After Eights en route) and is currently cuddled up behind me. She is the calmest I have seen her when the fire has been lit.

So whats the problem? well, my dogs are not allowed on the sofa! This is a serious infraction of the house rules, My other dog is not a happy bunny.
What do I do ??????
Push her off, despite the terror?
Allow it as a temp option for a few weeks until she gets over the nerves and then try to re-establish the boundary? and if I do that, what do I do about the other dog (we are talking medium/large size dogs here ...not toy breeds. With both on the sofa, we will be pushed to make a comfy spot for me!)

Thoughts???

[mrslaughan]

sit on the floor with both dogs in front of the sofa?

[DeathByLaundry]

I don't think it will have a significant effect on the other dog. I'd allow it for now but provide a comfortable refuge elsewhere in the room and reward heavily for use at all times whether the fire is lit or not. You can reinstate the sofa rule once she's over the fire thing (it will come if you don't fuss her too much while she's freaking out and stay cheerful).

Or you could just do the logical thing and let them on the furniture

[FestiveEdition]

Have spent ages on the floor with them. It had led to slightly less terror but not altered her view of the threat very much.

Deathbylaundry ...they already have the other sofa!!!! its only the large one that is supposed to be a no-go zone.

Actually ended up going with my gut instinct, and threw her off .....at which point she opted for the bed at the far end of the room ( the door out is closed) but at least she is not trying to dig her way out anymore.

Poor baby, I do wonder what happened to scare her so badly.

[bellasuewow]

My two were petrified of fireworks they wanted to hide and snuggle in the sofa so I let them but they are only little this seems to have worked and they seem unconcerned about the fireworks now and sleep whereas before they were seriously distressed and panting shaking etc. I think it helps to let them hide and snuggle in a den of sorts but they do tend to want to be touching you so if you are on the sofa that could pose a problem could you sit on the floor sounds like you are doing a grand job with her

[ginmakesitallok]

Totally off the point but reminded me of my grans wonderful dog who was an outside dog. The only time he ever came in the house was when an army patrol was in the area ( n Ireland). God knows what they had done to him.