[AgentP]

It's gotten hot here and we've put in our window ACs and Blue acts almost the same as with thunderstorms. Rapid breathing, panting, shivering. She's spent the last couple of days often under one of the beds.

The funny thing is though that it's not all the time, but maybe she's less panicky when the TV is on or people are talking (we are five, with three young kids so the noise level is high).

How can I help her? Turning it off is not an option (our house gets super hot in no time). I'd rather not medicate her all summer either.

 

[Pawzk9]

Are you sure it's not fireworks which you aren't hearing?

 

[AgentP]

Why would there be fireworks? And for two days straight lol? I turned the AC off now and she is calm again. Ugh.

 

[Pawzk9]

Why would there be fireworks? And for two days straight lol? I turned the AC off now and she is calm again. Ugh.

I'm guessing you live somewhere outside the US?

 

[xxxxdogdragoness]

Have you tried a thundershirt? I have heard those work very well to combat anxiety, you can find them at most pet places & petsmart/Petco plus I think they have a money back garantee if they don't work.

 

[Kayota]

But make sure the dog only wears a thundershirt for 8 hours at a time or they can become dependent on it and have to have it on no matter what or they're anxious.

 

[AgentP]

I'm guessing you live somewhere outside the US?

No am in the US. Never heard fireworks before July 3rd and then only on occasion (fire crackers). She's been anxious over the past two days, not eating when the food is put out and hiding on and off under our bed which is on the third floor (that AC is the quietest and not always on). The only thing that changed is that the ACs are on.

 

[AgentP]

I just bought a ThunderShirt after the last thunderstorm. It didn't seem to make a difference but then I checked outside and the weather was bearable so I just shut off the living room AC. It took a few minutes for her to calm down but she did. I think I will go out and get some Bach Flower Rescue to see if that will help her.

 

[AgentP]

I forgot to mention that when we got her six months ago, she was very wary of passing any house with a vent (from dryers or heating) and would make a huge detour around them, with her tail tucked in. I made a point of coaxing her closer with treats and she calmed somewhat, but that noise seems to mean something scary to her. I wish I knew how to desensitize her - the usual way of increasing the volume of the sounds won't work with the ACs .

 

[Abbylynn]

This may sound odd ... but I personally am always trying my weird training ideas. Some of them actually work! Lol! XD

This is what I would try......................

Could you place a "High Value" treat up on the shelf of the unit itself?

Day 1 ... With the unit turned "OFF" ... show Blue the treat sitting on top of the unit and make sure he sees it ... give it to him. Praise him. Do this a few times throughout the day. Do this for as many days as you feel is needed that Blue seems comfortable with this.

Session 2 ... with the unit turned "OFF"... pick Blue up and show him the treat with him at a closer distance to the unit ... give him the treat. Repeat throughout the day. If he seems scared ... do not force him near the unit ... stay further away or go back to day 1 ... until you feel he is ready to go near the unit.

Session 3 ... show Blue the treat with the unit "ON" ... but do "NOT" pick Blue up ... just take the treat off the unit and give it to him. Repeat throughout the day. I would not ... however make him go near the unit when it is "ON" ... ever.

If you see that he is feeling comfortable with it .... maybe he will see the AC unit as a good thing ... and think the AC unit gives out treats?

Might be worth a shot ... like you say ... you can't control the volume.

Just space out the days however you feel is necessary ... You may need a couple days with each training session .... if it even works. :/ Just remember to not force him into anything ... praise him and treat him big time ..... he has to make up his own mind that the contraption is harmless. If you need a calming aid during the process ... do so.

I have been doing something similar with Abbylynn for thunderstorms ... it is working some for us. She also takes a calming aid as I am trying to condition her to this. She is more than petrified of storms. :/

EDIT: If for some reason Blue seems even more stressed by this idea ... totally stop! You do not want to make the fear worse!

 

[KirstenW]

My dog acts like this with the dishwasher, and I think Abbylynn's advice is great! This is basically what I have been doing with the dishwasher, and it is very slowly helping. She definitely is still terrified of it, but will take a treat now when it is running. It is slow progress, though! Good luck!