Sometimes our pets’ fears and phobias seem a little, well, over the top. How does something so harmless to us manage to get their heart racing? And more importantly, how can we ease their stress?
How phobias start
Pets aren’t born petrified of household appliances, creaky floorboards or tall people – they learn to be that way.
All it takes is one negative experience with that one object or type of person –where it, he or she directly scares them or is present when they’re freaking out over something else – for them to make up their minds that they are bad news.
What not to do
It may seem like the kindest thing to do, but don’t pat, cuddle or give treats to a pet that’s feeling fear. Rather than easing the stress and anxiety, this only reinforces their behaviour by rewarding their anxious ways. With each pat, you’re essentially telling them their behaviour is spot-on. Here’s how to fight two of the most common pet phobias…
Floor fright
Of all the irrational fears, a pet’s refusal to walk on certain floors can be the most confusing. Tiles, linoleum and polished timber are the surfaces that most commonly pose problems for pets. The phobia may arise from an incident where they were scared or slipped while on that floor – now a fear of it happening again means they’ll avoid it at all costs.
Ease anxiety by laying down rugs and runners so that your pet can navigate the house without touching the fear-producing floor. Or try a more permanent fix with behavioural training…
Step 1 Place their food bowl on the edge of the problem floor surface.
Step 2 Over time, set the bowl further out onto the floor, forcing your pet to push their own limits and step onto the floor on order to get their food.
Tip You can accelerate the process by rubbing surfboard wax onto your pet’s toe pads to give their feet extra grip.
Pet vendettas
Many people swear their animals are racist, sexist or even size-ist. The problem is that either your pet didn’t meet that type of person when they were young or they had a bad experience with someone who looks alike.
You can ease their anxiety by trying to open their mind to new things.
Step 1 Identify what the problem is. Does your pet avoid people of a certain race, size, sex or age?
Step 2 Find some pals who roughly fit this description and involve them in a fun part of your pet’s life. For example, taking a walk together can help to create a bond.
Step 3 Seal the deal by getting the “problem person” to feed them dinner after the activity or walk.
Hoover horrors
While many men seem to be scared of the vacuum cleaner, it doesn’t mean they try to bite it or run away from it! For pets, the problem with these gadgets is often the noise, plus the way it seems to follow them around like it’s in attack mode. Ease their anxiety by removing the mystery.
Step 1 Get them used to the sight of the hoover by leaving it near their food or water bowl.
Step 2 Get them used to its movement – without turning it on, move the vacuum cleaner around your pets so they get to know how it moves without the almighty noise.
