Dog terrified of wind and other anxieties.

[Booksonbooks]

I have a 10 month old dog. He has been a wonderful dog, cuddly, amazing with our kids and just altogether wonderful. Until we take him out. For months we struggled with his behaviour out he would growl, go for people and dogs and bark constantly at anything and everything. We ended up putting a muzzle on him because he was frankly looking like a total psychopath going for people and dogs.

Eventually we have managed to get him to behave like an almost normal dog! And we can actually walk past people and dogs with the minimum or barking and pulling. The muzzle has been phased out and we are back to normal collar walking.

BUT if so much as a light breeze blows he turns into the insane dog of old. It is even to the point where if it is windy at night I have to take him in my room and tuck him under the duvet to stop him crying and shaking.

Has anyone had such a nervous dog? He literally runs up to me and tries to hide under my head if it gets windy at all!

How much socialisation did he get as a puppy?

Sunflowers - as much as we could, we met up with other people with dogs (when it has been allowed). We were never able to find a puppy class near us that has opened at all in the last 7 months.

Tbh he is a lot better with other dogs his main problem is wind, or anything that sounds a bit like wind.

Can you give some more info?

Like breed/when reacting to wind happened/your experience with dogs

Bloody - we don’t know what breed he is exactly he’s a bit of a mix of everything but he looks like a lurcher type dog. He’s pretty small though.

When we got him he was about 11 weeks old and we got him from someone we knew who changed their mind very quickly after getting a puppy. He was ill and had to have vet treatment but we decided to take him from her because he clearly wasn’t going to get it there.

Long story short he is well now but anxious. He has always been anxious about everything that isn’t in the house. I think he has always been anxious about the wind but when he was upset at everything it wasn’t noticeable on its own if that makes any sense.

Both of us have had dogs in the past but not for the last 12 years, we had a cat for that time until she died in 2019.

The only other thing I can think of is he doesn’t like men very much apart from my dh (who he loves) although he won’t go for them now he will ignore them or bark but just walk on.

I should add as well he is VERY fussy with food but I think that is from being unwell.

It sounds like he had a very poor start in life to be honest - not your fault but unfortunately the lack of socialisation and illness when young is almost a guaranteed recipe for reactivity and other problems later on - which you're seeing now.

I would advise contacting a behaviourist. Many are working via zoom and may be able to help you or at least set up an in-person appointment when things relax next month.

@Booksonbooks sorry to derail slightly but can I ask how you tackled the barking etc on walks? Our 8 month old is a dream except with some dogs (and some cars) on walks. What worked for you?

Yes I would love to know that too our nervous rescue barks a lot on walks and lunges and snarls when dogs get too close (on lead), any tips would be great! Well done for tackling so much with yours, sounds amazing!

Ikea - we have been taking him for walks and just sitting on a bench and comforting him as people go by. He won’t eat any treats or anything when we are out he is too wound up so we haven’t been able to do that.

Sometimes if he gets overwhelmed we pick him up and carry him until he calms which look ridiculous as he is not a tiny dog !

But over time he has needed less comfort. We have a daughter who is autistic and gets really upset in new situations or in crowds and we basically did all the same things with him as we do with her - comfort and slowly introducing new situations!

@Booksonbooks Thank you, I'll give it a go.

Poor puppy.

No real advice but we have a very nervous rescue and it has improved with time and love. However, the trauma will always be there, it's hardwired.

Interestingly it's DD he is most happy with. Trusts her completely, even though she's quite random and clumsy.