Fear of flies

[crossstitchingnana]

My 4yo poodle cross has developed fears since we got her. Fog horns, fireworks, men of a certain age. Now, after being stung by wasps a handful of times she hates flies. Since a fly came in the house she has spent the last two days pacing, chewing and digging. She has broke a lamp, door and ruined the laminate. To make matters worse I am trying to wfh in a new job. Help me. I can't do this and work.

My dog also has a fear of flies and will run upstairs if a large one comes into the house.

She used to be fine with fireworks but her fear of them has developed over the years and was worsened and entrenched by all the saucepan banging, yelling and fireworks going off during the 'clapping' for the NHS.

Ours is manageable but yours sound like a real problem that has the potential to get worse.

In your shoes I think I'd be looking for a decent behaviourist before the firework season starts in earnest.

Also a good idea to have a word with your vet about it and see if you can get any help there: vet should also be able to help with finding a behaviourist if you decide to go down that route.

Thank you

Absolutely get a vet check first. A full blood count and check anal glands!

DO get in a qualifed behaviourist asap. Noise phobias can be an indication of other issues or may literally be a fear of the noise. You do need professional help on this. YOur insurance may cover the cost of this.

In the short term create a safe haven where your dog can get to at all times as this may help with the digging to escape behaviour.

Bless her, she sounds incredibly anxious.

I would really recommend getting help from a behaviourist - video the behaviour that's causing you concern and access professional help. Your dog won't be happy while she's displaying such anxious behaviours - and obviously you're not happy either.

Does she have a safe space you can put her while you're working? A crate or pen or a room she can be left in safely?

Good luck

Thr best way to treat for fireworks anxiety is actually "fireworks for dogs" on YouTube.

Just have them on as quietly as your dog will tolerate... increasing the volume over time.

I'm sure you can do something similar with fly sounds?

Plenty of treats or a tasty chewing bone will help your dog to get used to them a bit quicker.

I would strongly recommend against using fly sounds until you have seen a behaviourist. There is way more to noise phobias than just anxiety. Your dog is showing an extreme response to the noise which will not intitially be cured by treats and sound effects.