Ginger is afraid of fire

Honeyshuman · 11-10-2006, 11:06 AM

Hi y'all -
Before I launch into the latest, Thank you for all the training tips..Ginger and I are both learning!
She now staying very well. We're still working on 'wait'..that is probably my fault! I'm a little weak there, but she does pretty well with that anyway. She is still abit too excited to 'stay' when I try to leave the house in the AMs.

I had built a fire last wk, she was okay at first, but when it started popping and crackling, that really startled her. She shivered, her teeth chattering and tried to hide behind me on the couch. I tried taking her into the other room, but she didn't want to be left there.
So I extinguished it, she settled down after.

I tried again last night; with just one 'log'...she seemed okay at first, was at the hearth with me, watching me getting it started. But once it started, got hotter, she really started shivering. When I got up on the couch with her, she cuddled really close, and the shivering just got worse. She started panting. That really concerned me, so I got her mind off it by taking her out for a walk. She was fine once we were outside and away from the fire.
I hate to think that I won't ever be able to enjoy my fireplace again

..(wonderful on those cold, snowy evenings in Colorado!). Is there anyway I can gradually work with her? I'm assuming there was obviously some trauma associated with fire in her past.
What do I need to do?
Thanks!
Nancy

Goldenretrieverlover · 11-10-2006, 11:14 AM

Hmmm.....My dobbies are the same

I would just suggest getting her used to it but that would be worse

so sorry I cant help =/

blackgavotte · 11-10-2006, 11:14 AM

There was not necessarily a trauma connected to fire. This is a normal survival instinct in a dog who has not been accustomed to being so close to a fire. She will get over it if you continue to use compassion and kindness and consideration while she is getting used to seeing a fire. It will just take a bit of time.

Let her hide behind the couch if she wants to, and don't over-soothe her. If you adopt an over-comforting way with her, she will feel she is right to be so worried. A bit of just " Its okay girl ", maybe a quick hug, then let her do her thing, and you do yours. She will come to understand she is safe and its part of her life now. She'll never get over the fear if you don't put the fire on anymore. Do you have a screen in front of the fireplace? That would help for a transition.

Honeyshuman · 11-10-2006, 12:12 PM

This is a normal survival instinct in a dog who has not been accustomed to being so close to a fire. She will get over it if you continue to use compassion and kindness and consideration while she is getting used to seeing a fire. It will just take a bit of time.

Let her hide behind the couch if she wants to, and don't over-soothe her. If you adopt an over-comforting way with her, she will feel she is right to be so worried. A bit of just " Its okay girl ", maybe a quick hug, then let her do her thing, and you do yours. She will come to understand she is safe and its part of her life now. She'll never get over the fear if you don't put the fire on anymore. Do you have a screen in front of the fireplace? That would help for a transition.

That was originally my thought; I brought it up to my neighbor last and he brought up the trama thing.
I'm worried about her panting, tho', is this a concern?
I will continue to work with her..just small fires first. She has been such a doll. She isn't timid around horses, cats, other people. Even vacumming doesn't faze her!..Well, she may not hear that noise much!

I dropped her off this morning to have her teeth cleaned and nails trimmed. I can't wait to pick her up this afternoon, she probably wondered what was going on! She is such a sweet girl. I can't wait to show her that she is loved and in her forever home!

blackgavotte · 11-10-2006, 01:09 PM

The panting ( assuming she's not just plain hot from being in a very very warm room, with that lovely fire ) is just another way that a dog shows nervousness or pain. You will know if its that hot, but when she is not as frightened she will probably pant less. She's a lucky dog, I wish all the shelter dogs could have such a wonderful outcome for their lives, as an owner who is even thinking of not having a fire for her dog's sake ! Awesome ! She and you are going to be just fine.

Dulce · 11-10-2006, 01:13 PM

Hey, I'm afraid of fire too!! Who wouldn't be???

If you have a crate, let her retreat to that safe place. Although, some might say that's allowing her to fear the fire.

If she starts freaking out, ignore her, don't baby her. By ignoring her, she is forced to get over her fear on her own, and will soon adapt to the flaming fire (Hahahaha

)

Dulce · 11-10-2006, 01:16 PM

P.S...I don't think it's a trauma from "fire", it's a fear of loud noises. Lots of dogs, especially shelter dogs, are terrified of loud noises, whether it's coming from a fire or not. Even I am afraid of loud noises.
But I'm a baby, can't you tell?

puPyluvr111 · 11-10-2006, 02:06 PM

My lab is terrified of anything that reacts back, so if he saw fire I'm sure he'd go nuts...
He's terrified of water, if that counts as anything!

LoveLilly · 11-10-2006, 02:29 PM

For the next few times just burn 1 log since that did not scare her, then work up to a 2nd log. When the fire is going, maybe give her a brand new bone to chew on. It will associate the fire with something pleasant.

Honeyshuman · 11-10-2006, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackgavotte

The panting ( assuming she's not just plain hot from being in a very very warm room, with that lovely fire ) is just another way that a dog shows nervousness or pain. You will know if its that hot, but when she is not as frightened she will probably pant less. She's a lucky dog, I wish all the shelter dogs could have such a wonderful outcome for their lives, as an owner who is even thinking of not having a fire for her dog's sake ! Awesome ! She and you are going to be just fine.

Thanks! You're so cute..I was trying to warm up the room instead of turning up the heat! It was finally about 30 degrees last nite! but, alas, I was worried about her panting so fast! Well, I'm learning!

Honeyshuman · 11-10-2006, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dulce

P.S...I don't think it's a trauma from "fire", it's a fear of loud noises. Lots of dogs, especially shelter dogs, are terrified of loud noises, whether it's coming from a fire or not. Even I am afraid of loud noises.
But I'm a baby, can't you tell?

Well, ok, the light went on! I didn't even think about shelter dogs being scared of loud noises! I'm not always too quick!

Quote:

Originally Posted by LoveLilly

For the next few times just burn 1 log since that did not scare her, then work up to a 2nd log. When the fire is going, maybe give her a brand new bone to chew on. It will associate the fire with something pleasant.

I'll do that, she was still freaked out over the one, but I will go slow...work up to the bonfire I normally have going!

I'm hoping that seeing the cats sit in front of the screen; rolling around and watching the fire will be an example!

Thanks for 'all y'all's' great suggestions.
I'll keep ya posted!
N